Hundreds of Ofsted inspectors are to balloted over strike action following the break down of pay talks.
Unison and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union have warned that school inspections across England could be affected if the action goes ahead.
The unions are protesting at the details of a 3-year pay settlement offered by England's inspectorate, which is responsible for monitoring schools and childcare providers.
Unison and the PCS claim to have 1000 Ofsted employees among their membership. The PCS's national officer Helga Pile said: "Inspectors have been pushed to breaking point by Ofsted constantly demanding more work for less pay.
"The cost of living is soaring, yet our members are being expected to sign up to an unjust new pay structure and three years of below inflation pay settlements.
"These highly skilled workers will have no choice but to vote with their feet unless they are made a more realistic offer."
Another public sector union, the FDA, said that its members had accepted the offer. FDA spokesman Jim Caldwell told BBC News that all inspectors who checked schools for children over the age of five belonged to the FDA and that any impact on school inspections would be indirect and "not huge".
Ofsted are insistent that talks with Unison are still ongoing. An Ofsted spokeswoman told BBC News that: "School inspections will not be affected by threats of strike action by Unison.
"The school inspectors union, the FDA, has voted overwhelmingly to accept Ofsted's three year pay offer to staff, having recognised the benefits it offers. The new pay deal improves reward arrangements for the vast majority of staff.
"Discussions with Unison are ongoing and internal processes have not yet been concluded. Talk of a strike is premature."
Neil March, PCS negotiations officer for Ofsted, said: “This three year pay offer is totally unacceptable and will result in a significant number of hardworking staff receiving nothing in the first two years with others receiving less than 2%.
"Below inflation pay and cutting pay in real terms will do nothing for the morale of staff and yet again Ofsted staff working in highly stressful call centre environments have been overlooked."
The ballot is expected next week with any industrial action to take place in May.
Unison and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union have warned that school inspections across England could be affected if the action goes ahead.
The unions are protesting at the details of a 3-year pay settlement offered by England's inspectorate, which is responsible for monitoring schools and childcare providers.
Unison and the PCS claim to have 1000 Ofsted employees among their membership. The PCS's national officer Helga Pile said: "Inspectors have been pushed to breaking point by Ofsted constantly demanding more work for less pay.
"The cost of living is soaring, yet our members are being expected to sign up to an unjust new pay structure and three years of below inflation pay settlements.
"These highly skilled workers will have no choice but to vote with their feet unless they are made a more realistic offer."
Another public sector union, the FDA, said that its members had accepted the offer. FDA spokesman Jim Caldwell told BBC News that all inspectors who checked schools for children over the age of five belonged to the FDA and that any impact on school inspections would be indirect and "not huge".
Ofsted are insistent that talks with Unison are still ongoing. An Ofsted spokeswoman told BBC News that: "School inspections will not be affected by threats of strike action by Unison.
"The school inspectors union, the FDA, has voted overwhelmingly to accept Ofsted's three year pay offer to staff, having recognised the benefits it offers. The new pay deal improves reward arrangements for the vast majority of staff.
"Discussions with Unison are ongoing and internal processes have not yet been concluded. Talk of a strike is premature."
Neil March, PCS negotiations officer for Ofsted, said: “This three year pay offer is totally unacceptable and will result in a significant number of hardworking staff receiving nothing in the first two years with others receiving less than 2%.
"Below inflation pay and cutting pay in real terms will do nothing for the morale of staff and yet again Ofsted staff working in highly stressful call centre environments have been overlooked."
The ballot is expected next week with any industrial action to take place in May.
