HUNDREDS of college lecturers walked out during exams yesterday.

An estimated 200 placard-waving lecturers from Liverpool Community College took part in the protest over changes to existing wage structures at the college.

The day-long action culminated in a rally outside the college’s art centre in Myrtle Street.

The protest meant college managers had to cover students taking A-level exams themselves.

The union has said previously the strike could be followed up with refusals to work overtime or answer phones during breaks, but any other industrial action will be timed outside exam season to minimise disruption.

UCU claims the new proposals would effectively mean all new lecturers joining the college would be subject to a wage cap barring them from earning more than £29,000 a year – around £4,000 less than at present – unless they take on additional administration or managerial responsibilities.

And the union says those taking lecturer posts under the plans would also face working unsociable shifts such as evenings and weekends.

Pickets were joined at the scene by UCU outgoing president, Sasha Callaghan who said: “We are 100% behind this as we fear this could spread to other colleges. Increasingly people who work in further education cannot afford to stay and you end up with a casual workforce which means the education suffers.”

A spokesman for the college said: “The new contract gives the college greater flexibility to meet the challenges in a changing business environment.

“Liverpool Community College values its workforce. Annual teaching hours will not be increased and teachers will still receive 12 weeks holiday a year along with other benefits such as a pension scheme.”