A three-day Oldham College strike over pay has come to an end without a deal being struck.

The latest round of industrial action began on Tuesday and finished on Thursday.

Under the Trade Union Act 2016, unions may only take industrial action for six months after obtaining a mandate through a ballot.

This may be extended to nine months, but only if the employer and union both agree.

The mandate for picketing at Oldham College ends next week, meaning strikes will stop for a time.

University and College Union North West regional official Martyn Moss said it would take around three weeks for a new mandate to be obtained.

Martyn said: “Unless the college responds positively, I’ve been asked by our local branch to authorise and organise a further ballot.

“It will take a few weeks to put that in place, and they usually run for about three weeks. So we could see further action before the end of the year.”

Three days of action took place over three days last week from Tuesday, October 4 to Thursday, October 6.

UCU bosses accused college officials of intimidating staff over the action – something the College strongly denies.

Martyn said the college ‘seem to have backed off’ since this was reported.

Police were also called to attend on Tuesday, after reports a van associated with the strike was causing an obstruction.

ALSO READ: Police attend Oldham College strike over pay dispute.

The following days of picketing were less eventful, with no problems reported – other than a downpour of rain.

Oldham College lecturer and UCU Vice President Maxine Looby said support for the picket had been strong.

Maxine said: “We’ve had a lot of public support. For example, we had one of our students who came to the picket specifically to see some of the teachers and she actually had tears in her eyes.

The Oldham Times: Maxine LoobyMaxine Looby (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

“When I asked her why, she explained that she didn’t realise teachers’ pay was so low and that some of us were having to use food banks, so that was really moving as well.”

Strikers braved the elements including a heavy downpour on Wednesday.

Maxine said: “We want a resolution. None of us want to be on pickets in the cold and the wet and the rain, like it was yesterday.

“We were there because we’re committed to bringing about change, and we’re committed to our members being able to survive the cost of living crisis.

“The morale at the moment has been absolutely fantastic, it’s been really high.

“We’ve had people out with pots and pans they’ve brought in from home, singing chants and dancing, it’s been really good and really high.”

The college has been approached for comment about the latest round of strikes.

The college says it has raised wages by 8.5 per cent over the past five years, and boosted salaries of the lowest-paid staff "significantly", by eight per cent last year.

But Maxine disputes this.