16 May 2011 Last updated at 14:25 ET

Strike vote by South Tyneside College staff

Staff at South Tyneside College have voted to strike following a row about pay cuts and job losses.

The ballot followed the announcement of plans to cut about 60 posts, out of a pool of 200. Some lecturers also face pay cuts of up to £11,000.

The University and College Union (UCU) said that 85% per cent of members who voted supported strike action.

The college described the result as "disappointing" and pledged to keep disruption for students to a minimum.

UCU regional support official, Jon Bryan, said: "Today's result shows the strength of feeling amongst our members against these proposals. They are furious at the college's attacks on their jobs and pay, and their students' education.

'Severe cuts'

"We are not blind to the troubles facing further education and still want to find a negotiated settlement.

"However, we will not simply accept fewer jobs and less pay."

South Tyneside College said in a statement: "We are disappointed that we could not reach an agreement with the unions over the proposed redundancies.

"The severe cuts in education by the Government have forced the majority of colleges across the North East into similar situations.

"We will continue to work with the unions to continually review and evaluate plans so that we can try to identify options to lessen the impact on staff across the college and ensure that the quality of learning for our students continues to remain of a high standard."