Teaching staff at three West Midlands prisons were going on strike today in a row over contracts.

Some workers claim they could lose up to £7,000 pay in the dispute over terms and conditions.

About 100 members of the University and College Union (UCU) at HMP Birmingham in Winson Green, and HMP Brinsford and HMP Featherstone in Wolverhampton are taking action against the Manchester College (TMC) in a one-day walkout.

TMC, which runs courses at institutions throughout the country, is looking to introduce new contracts for prison educators include increased working hours and reductions in holiday and sickness entitlement.

Some staff could be forced to move to new pay scales that could see them lose up to £7,000 a year in salary, and the union said the move would “seriously jeopardise” prison education.

UCU West Midlands official Teresa Corr said members had “little choice” but to strike.

She said: “It is deeply concerning that Britain’s largest prison education provider is trying to force through new contracts that will seriously jeopardise prison education throughout the West Midlands and the country.

“The new contracts would mean fewer rehabilitation opportunities for offenders. UCU believes education must be at the heart of any reform of our prison system and the evidence backs us up.”

Midland workers are join teaching staff at more than 70 prisons across the country who are taking part in the walkout.

The UCU argues that education is a “key factor” in cutting reoffending, and that studies show that prisoners who do not take part in education are three times more likely to be reconvicted than those that do.

Further education and skills minister John Hayes said last month that the coalition government is to hold a review of prison education as part of reforms of the penal system.

A Department for Business spokesman said: “We are aware of the issues involving the Manchester College, and have urged all parties to resolve this dispute at the earliest opportunity.

“However, it is right and proper that further education colleges are autonomous institutions making their own staffing decisions; it would be inappropriate for Government to intervene in that.”