MEMBERS of the National Union of Teachers in Taunton, Wellington and West Somerset are on strike today in a row over pay.

Mick Lerry, the union's divisional secretary in Somerset, said members had voted three-to-one in favour of a one-day strike to stop cuts in the real pay' of teachers.

Some schools may be forced to close for the day as a result of the action.

A Fair Pay rally will take place at Taunton Rugby Club, from 10.30 am-noon on Thursday, April 24.

Mr Lerry said: "The Govern-ment is wrong to determine a pay increase for teachers below the rate of inflation.

"The rate of inflation is pre-sently 4.1% and teachers will receive 2.45% for 2008.

"The consequences of real term pay cuts are familiar to us. They were a feature of the boom and bust' years before 1997."

A spokesman for Somerset County Council, which is responsible for schools, said: "Somerset schools will be making every effort to maintain essential services to children and young people.

"The impact of the NUT industrial action will vary from school to school and across other services dependent upon the proportion of staff who are NUT members and decide to withdraw their labour for the day.

"Head teachers will take local management decisions, in consultation with their chair of governors, on whether their schools will remain open as normal or have to partially or fully close on April 24.

"Schools will ensure parents are aware of the decision taken as soon as possible and will keep the local authority informed so we can co-ordinate information through the local media."

SCHOOL CLOSURE LIST

FULL CLOSURES

PRIMARIES

Elmhurst Junior, Street

Upton Noble Primary, Frome

Sedgemoor Manor Infants, Bridgwater

St. George's Primary School, Wembdon

Hemington Primary School

Chard, Avishayes Primary

Holway Park Primary, Taunton

Milverton Primary

SECONDARIES

Hugh Sexey Middle School

Wells Blue School

St. Dunstan's Community, Glastonbury

King Arthur's, Wincanton

West Somerset Community School, Minehead

Minehead Middle School

Fairlands Middle, Cheddar

Oakfield Middle, Frome

PARTIAL CLOSURES- check with the school for full details

PRIMARIES

Dulverton All Saints Primary

Curry Rivel Primary School

Cheddon Fitzpaine Primary

SECONDARIES

Preston Secondary School, Yeovil

Huish Episcopi Secondary

Whitstone, Shepton Mallet

Court Fields, Wellington

Haygrove, Bridgwater

Kings of Wessex, Cheddar

Chilton Trinity, Bridgwater

Frome College

Heathfield Community School, West Monkton, Taunton

Richard Huish and Somerset College say they will continue as normal today.

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