UNION bosses fear teaching staff may be ‘put off ’ looking for jobs in Warrington due to lower salaries as calls for industrial action heighten.

Earlier this year six unions called on the Government to fund a mandatory two per cent pay increase for classroom teachers.

While neighbouring authorities including St Helens, Sefton, Manchester, Liverpool and Knowsley are offering the two per cent rise for all staff, only around 10 to 15 per cent in Warrington have agreed on the increase, it has been claimed.

This follows the recommendation by the School Teachers’ Review Body.

“The picture is mixed in Warrington,” said Shaun Everett, division secretary for Warrington NUT.

“Some are offering two per cent just to the lowest pay grade and one per
cent to everyone else.

“This will not only demoralise current staff but put potential staff off looking at Warrington to work because of the lower salaries.”

Teachers’ pay and conditions are a matter for individual schools, who operate within a national framework determined by the Government.

It is understood that The ChallengeAcademy Trust (TCAT) is still under negotiation about whether to implement one of the recommendations.

Matthew Grant, chief executive of TCAT, said: “The schools within TCAT have agreed, on an individual basis, to implement two of the recommendations on pay made by the School Teachers’ Review Body.

“A third recommendation regarding the increase to the maximum of the main grade teacher pay scale is still under negotiation.”

The two recommendations that have been agreed are a two per cent pay increase for teachers in the minimum pay range and a one per cent increase for those on all other pay points.

Union chiefs say the feeling among members from schools across Warrington is so strong there is the ‘distinct possibility’ of strike action next year.

Gary Mogey, negotiating secretary for Warrington NASUWT, added: “I would be very disappointed if members do not take some of sort of action to take this forward.

“I would hope the message that sends out would be sufficient to bring Warrington to its senses before any strike action is needed.

“I am embarrassed to live and work in Warrington with regard to this issue.”