17 schools hit as teachers strike

Teachers in Haringey went on strike yesterday to protest against the council's decision to cut their pay. Seventeen schools were closed as staff held a rally at Wood Green. Schools advised parents to keep their children at home, but non-union staff kept some schools open for students who had exams.

The teachers claim a supplementary inner London payment of pounds 822 was dropped after a government review board decision to halt funding. Haringey Council says it cannot afford the pounds 1.5m to compensate them.

The payment was introduced in April 1990 to encourage recruitment and retention of teachers in inner London.

The National Union of Teachers says members are not applying for promotion because any pay rise would be less than the supplement they would lose.