Teachers warn of strike option

About a third of schools were disrupted in last month's teachers' strike

Teachers raised the prospect of further classroom disruption over pay with a warning that an autumn ballot for strike action remains an option.

The National Union of Teachers closed thousands of schools in England and Wales this term with a one-day strike.

The union has been considering the next stage of its campaign for an improved pay deal.

"An option for an autumn ballot will be given consideration," says acting general secretary, Christine Blower.

The disputed three-year pay offer of 2.45% this year and 2.3% for the following years, has now been formally accepted by the Schools Secretary Ed Balls.

'Pay cut'

But Ms Blower dismissed the deal as representing a cut in pay - when inflation was running at a much higher rate, as measured by the retail prices index.

The one-day strike, which closed thousands of schools in April, was a protest against a pay award the NUT said represented an erosion of teachers' income.

This claim was rejected by Mr Balls when he confirmed the pay review body's recommendation this week.

"I believe that this three year award will enable teachers and schools to plan ahead, is fair and affordable and delivers the kind of public sector pay discipline that our economy needs at this time," said the Schools Secretary.

Mr Balls also indicated that he wanted "to consider what more we can do to improve the early years of teachers’ careers" - reflecting concerns about particular problems for lower-earning younger teachers.

But the NUT, which is not one of the teachers' union in a "social partnership" with the government, is still pushing ahead with its campaign over pay.

Further education college lecturers, who walked out on the same day as teachers, are also planning further protests.

The University and College Union is threatening that its members in London will take strike action on 9 June unless there is an improvement on 2.5% pay offer.