Teachers warned over strike pay

Teachers could be docked more than a day's pay if they stage one-day strikes because they only work in schools for 195 days a year.

That is the view of town hall bosses who are planning to deduct almost double the amount of pay they dock teachers if they go ahead with a second strike to protest at London allowances next month.

In a letter to the 33 local education authorities, Graham Lane, chairman of the national employers' organisation for teachers, said teachers were normally docked 1/365th of their salary if they went on strike for a day. But in a comment that infuriated teachers, he said that – as they only worked in schools for 195 days a year – that figure could be increased to 1/195th.

"I know the higher level of deduction will encourage teachers to give priority to the interest of pupils in our schools," he said.

Mr Lane said he received legal advice that he could move towards docking 1/195th of a teacher's salary but he would be happy to compromise on 1/260th – assuming teachers worked a five-day week. Other council employees were docked 1/260th, he added.

Leaders of the National Union of Teachers, which is balloting on one-day strike action, warned that the move could be challenged in the courts. "It would be better if the employers supported the union's claim for an increase instead of threatening unlawful deductions," said Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the NUT. "These threats will provoke a greater 'yes' vote."