Teachers and lecturers in Birmingham could be set for a one-day strike this month in a row over pensions.
Members of both the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) voted in favour of national strike action, in protest at the changes the Government is planning to make to their pensions.
The unions say the plans will leave teachers working longer, paying more and receiving less when they retire.
A walkout is now set to take place on June 30, affecting millions of children at thousands of schools in England and Wales.
David Ambler, Birmingham branch secretary of the ATL, which has 2,000 members in the city, said: “This has the potential to severely disrupt or even close schools and colleges.
“The fact that the ATL is one of the more moderate unions and 83 per cent voted in favour of strike action shows just how angry teachers and lecturers are at these changes.”
It is the first time in ATL’s 127-year history that the union has voted for a national walkout.
Results from the NUT’s ballot show that 92 per cent were in favour of strike action and with the union’s executive are set to meet to discuss the results today (Wednesday). The final decision on whether the union will stage a walkout rests with the executive.
NUT general secretary Christine Blower said she was “very pleased” with the turnout and the result.
