ESF teachers to end industrial action and accept pay cut

Members are unhappy but agree to 4.4pc reduction as a goodwill gesture

English Schools Foundation teachers have voted to end their industrial action, which has seen them boycott extra-curricular activities for nearly three months.

The Association of Professional Teachers of ESF Schools announced yesterday it would accept a 4.42 per cent pay cut after members voted by more than two to one to restore goodwill.

The ballot came after the ESF's executive committee agreed earlier this week to minor changes to a remuneration study group that will recommend future pay levels based on market rates - the final sticking point in negotiations.

Teachers will now have three representatives on the eight-member panel, which also includes two parents and two community representatives, and one principal.

'Obviously teachers are still very unhappy about the 4.42 per cent pay cut,' said association spokesman Julian Harniess. 'But they see the return to goodwill as a gesture that in the future we will have a positive dialogue.'

The boycott of extra-curricular activities had only been intended as short-term, to make a point, he added. 'When our salary is cut it is worth pointing out just what we do over and above our teaching duties,' he said.