Members of one of Britain's largest teaching unions, the National Union of Teachers (NUT), have voted overwhelmingly to hold a one-day strike over pay.
The industrial action, planned for 24th April, will be the first time that teachers in England and Wales have staged a mass walkout in more than 20 years.
The union wants their 2008 pay award of 2.45% lifted to above the rate of inflation, the current rate of which stands at around 4%.
General secretary Steve Sinnott said: "I call on the government to think again and ensure that salaries at least keep pay in line with inflation and that there is a recognition of the continuing workload pressures on teachers."
From September 2008 a newly qualified teacher will have a starting salary of £20,627 in England and Wales and slightly higher in London. A recent survey by the Association of Graduate Employers puts the starting salary of graduates in the private sector at around £24,000.
The Government has urged the NUT to reconsider the action claiming it will be disruptive to children's education. A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said the pay award had been recommended by the independent School Teachers Review Body.
"It was welcomed by all the other teaching unions," she said.
"So it is disappointing that a small proportion of teachers are threatening to disrupt children's education in this way."
Members of rival union the NASUWT have widely accepted the pay review body's recommendations.
The industrial action, planned for 24th April, will be the first time that teachers in England and Wales have staged a mass walkout in more than 20 years.
The union wants their 2008 pay award of 2.45% lifted to above the rate of inflation, the current rate of which stands at around 4%.
General secretary Steve Sinnott said: "I call on the government to think again and ensure that salaries at least keep pay in line with inflation and that there is a recognition of the continuing workload pressures on teachers."
From September 2008 a newly qualified teacher will have a starting salary of £20,627 in England and Wales and slightly higher in London. A recent survey by the Association of Graduate Employers puts the starting salary of graduates in the private sector at around £24,000.
The Government has urged the NUT to reconsider the action claiming it will be disruptive to children's education. A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said the pay award had been recommended by the independent School Teachers Review Body.
"It was welcomed by all the other teaching unions," she said.
"So it is disappointing that a small proportion of teachers are threatening to disrupt children's education in this way."
Members of rival union the NASUWT have widely accepted the pay review body's recommendations.
