Teachers to vote on strike action

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) announced it is to ballot members on a one-day walk-out that could hit schools across England and Wales on April 24.

NUT general secretary Steve Sinnott he was "very confident" that teachers would vote in favour of industrial action. He said: "I would urge them to vote 'yes'."

The NUT's decision to ballot members follows a long-running row over pay.

Last week, the Government announced a 2.45% pay rise for teachers in England and Wales this year, with further rises of 2.3% in 2009 and 2010.

But the NUT said the increases fell below the Retail Prices Index inflation rate of 4%, meaning staff faced an effective cut in their pay.

Mr Sinnott said he was scheduled to meet with Schools Minister Jim Knight and urged the Government to improve its offer. He said the union wanted a 4% rise for members, adding that the ballot papers would be sent out at the end of February.

"During the last 30 years our schools have suffered from 'boom and bust' pay policies," he said. "Teachers' pay has improved in recent years and so too has recruitment and retention. There must be no return to teacher shortages and to pay levels that sap morale.

"To bring the best young graduates into the profession, teachers' salaries need to be competitive with those for graduates in the private sector. Our children deserve the best. I call on the Government to think again and ensure that teachers' salaries at least keep pay in line with inflation."

The NUT has not taken members out on a national strike since 1987. But Mr Sinnott said he believed teachers would back the union's call for industrial action. "I would be very confident that teachers would be saying 'yes' because of the objective to protect their living standards. The objective is not the strike. The objective is to protect living standards for teachers."