New school strike threat

Militant teachers are laying plans for "rolling industrial action up to and including strikes" over pay. They will seek to force through the plan at the National Union of Teachers' annual conference this month.

The bid, opposed by the union's ruling executive, will come on the day Education Secretary Estelle Morris addresses the NUT. After last week's one-day strike over London allowances, she can be expected to read the riot act to hardline delegates, and get a stormy reception in return.

The conference motion demands a 10 per cent pay rise for all teachers, and the doubling of the London teachers' allowance to £6,000, matching Met police officers and dwarfing the 30 per cent increase that is official union policy. It does not commit the NUT to a ballot on further action. That would depend on the Government's response to the demands, which has so far been uncompromising rejection.

It will be moved by Havering teacher Sue Kortlandt, who said today that organisers of last week's action, which closed more than half the capital's schools, had been "amazed" at the response from teachers.

"I think it shows a feeling of desperation among teachers in London," said Ms Kortlandt. "I took four young teachers to lobby their MP. All were born in Havering and returned to the borough to teach. Every one of them says if the Government doesn't come up with more money they'll have to go elsewhere, or quit the profession."

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