HIGH schools, primary schools and special schools are set to grind to a halt in the row over changes to teachers’ pensions.

Unions in Lancashire are preparing to ballot for industrial action in June which could result in almost 10,000 school staff out on strike.

In Lancashire there are around 11,500 teachers.

Unless the Government does a U-turn and stops proposals under the Hutton Report to change teacher’s pension schemes, the National Union of Teachers (NUT), National Association of Headteachers, (NAHT) and the ATL in Lancashire are all poised to strike.

A meeting will be held tonight to discuss a ballot for strike action.

The unions have vowed that any industrial action would take place after pupils have completed their exams but before the summer holidays.

It is understood a strike could take place on June 30 and unions hinted that a discontinuous strike, which can be undertaken without notice, could be granted and they would stage more one-day walkouts after schools go back in the autumn term.

The row emerged over the Government’s plans to change public sector pension schemes.

Under the proposals, teachers would have to work for at least another five years and an average career salary pension would be handed out instead of a final salary pension scheme.

Teachers say this would leave them worse off and mean they would have to contribute at least £90 more a month to their pension schemes.

Simon Jones, NUT national executive and Blackburn with Darwen representative, said: “If a ballot for strike action goes ahead, schools will still be open for the term and we will taking action after the exams.

“We don’t want to upset parents by putting on strikes during the exam period.

“With almost 10,000 teachers on strike in Lancashire, schools will close.

“And we very hope with the strike the Government will listen.

“If we close every school in Lancashire they will have to listen.”