Lecturers plan strike ballot

Lecturers at further education colleges are to be balloted over strike action in protest at moves to impose longer hours and shorter holidays, their union agreed at a meeting yesterday.

A spokesman for the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education said staff were 'absolutely furious' at employers' refusal to agree a 'sensible' national contract for lecturers. Talks broke down last month when employers rejected counter-proposals by the union.