Schools could close as early as June after teachers back ballot for industrial action over pension reforms.

By Jeevan Vasagar

Strikes could close schools as early as June after teachers backed a ballot for industrial action over the government’s proposed changes to pensions. Delegates at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers’ annual conference passed a motion condemning proposed reforms that will see public sector workers paying more towards their pensions, retiring later and receiving less when they do. The union’s executive will draw up plans for a strike ballot and consider the timing of any industrial action later today.

Today’s vote could be a prelude to coordinated strike action by public sector workers against the government’s austerity programme. Unions are drawing up plans for strikes by June that could paralyse schools, universities, the courts and the civil service.

Source: GUARDIAN