CHILDREN may have only just returned, but schools could be out again soon after teachers voted to go on strike.

The action is over the "erosion" of their pay and working conditions, it has been announced.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) said its ballot of members had shown that 82.5 per cent were in favour of walkouts, with a turnout of 27 per cent.

Members also voted for industrial action short of strikes, with 91.6 per cent in favour, the union said. The result raises the threat of huge disruption to schools later this term.

The NUT, which has previously balloted members over changes to public sector pensions, has warned of joint strikes with the NASUWT teachers' union The NASUWT already has a mandate to take industrial action over the same issues.

The NUT said the two unions will be campaigning together to "ensure that the onslaught of attacks on the teaching profession stops". Further details of the campaign will be set out on Monday.

NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: "The NUT is left with no option but to take action to protect the well-being of our members and restore their rights to do their job thoroughly and properly.

"Teachers are being undermined by a Government whose almost daily criticisms and erosion of working conditions and pay, coming on top of previous attacks on pensions, are unacceptable. This negative approach to the profession has to stop.

"No other profession comes under such continual scrutiny and no other profession has accountability systems based on so little trust. This is bound to lower morale. It is time for Government to stop dictating to teachers and address the problems which they are creating. It is time to listen to the profession."

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