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Schools could be hit by strikes after a teachers' union announced it is preparing to ballot members over action against proposed pension changes.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) said it is outraged that Chancellor George Osborne is demanding a 3.4% increase in pension contributions by 2014, especially since changes to the teachers' pension scheme were agreed four years ago to ensure it remained affordable and sustainable.
The union said it is now preparing for a ballot of members for national strike action. If it goes ahead, it will be the first time the ATL has been involved in national action since 1979.

ATL general secretary Mary Bousted said: "Members are rightly furious that the Government has delayed a full valuation of the pension scheme and is now demanding that they pay more into their pensions before knowing whether this is necessary. "And to add insult to injury, teachers and lecturers are being asked to agree these changes in February, well before Lord Hutton's review into public sector pensions reports in March.

"It is grossly unfair to expect teachers and lecturers to shoulder the burden of a budget deficit for which they were not responsible. It looks like teachers and lecturers are being prepared as the sacrificial lambs to make the Chancellor's Budget sound better."

Last resort

Alice Robinson, ATL senior vice president and chair of ATL's action committee, said: "Industrial action would be a last resort for ATL members. We are more than happy to negotiate any necessary changes, but we will not accept having changes imposed on us.

"We expect the Government to honour the process agreed with the TUC for reviewing all public sector pensions. And we expect to be told the financial health of the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) before agreeing to any changes.

"Our action committee, which met for the first time in nine years, decided to prepare for a ballot in case the Government continues to refuse to negotiate any changes and provide a proper valuation of the TPS.

"Teachers and lecturers are realistic and know that longer life expectancy means pension schemes need to be kept under review. But the average teacher's pension at less than £10,000 a year is hardly a king's ransom. Teachers and lecturers want to be treated fairly, and are