College lecturers have agreed to cancel next week's one-day strike as talks resume with employers, it emerged today.
Ivor Jones, director of employment policy at the Association of Colleges, which represents more than 300 colleges, said there had been "constructive" talks with the unions, and that the action planned for January 30 had been called off.
He said: "We remain optimistic that a settlement can be reached. All parties are now reporting back to their respective committees. We hope to be in a position to settle the dispute and avoid further industrial action in the next few weeks.
"The commitment of AoC to college staff remains steadfast on the issue of pay - we want to secure equality of pay with schools and other training providers for all staff in further education colleges."
A spokeswoman for Natfhe, the union representing the most college lecturers, confirmed the strike had been cancelled. "We're hopeful that we will be able to reach a settlement when talks resume at the beginning of February," she said.
About 250 colleges were affected by strikes in November. Further action before Christmas was averted after the education secretary, Charles Clarke, announced a funding settlement seen by many as generous. He pledged a further £1.2bn for the sector by 2006.
