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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