COLLEGE staff are set to strike over a pay rise row this week.

National Education Union members at Bhasvic and Varndean sixth form colleges in Brighton will down tools on Thursday as part of a national day of action.

Teachers are demanding a 2.75 per cent pay rise from the Government, having been offered 1.5 per cent.

Staff will protest outside both colleges from 7.30am to 10am.

Then they will make their way to London for a national demonstration against education cuts.

Regional union officer Craig Arden said a recent announcement of £400 million of funding for 16-19 year-olds in education will go “nowhere near” to solving problems in the sector.

“Our dispute is with the Secretary of State for Education, with regard to our concerns about members’ pay, conditions and employment resulting specifically from the under-funding of the sector,” he said.

“We are asking him to resolve the dispute by increasing 16-19 funding in such a way as to allow employers to address these problems.”

Bhasvic and Varndean College have been contacted for comment on whether they will close on Thursday.

The Argus has also contacted the Department for Education for comment.