CLASS ACTION

Fourth teachers' union rejects pay offer as more strikes loom

- ASHLEY COWBURN

STATE schools across England face closures during the summer term as the deadlock continues in the bitter teachers' pay row.

Four major education unions have now rejected the Government's offer, paving the way for crippling strike action unless ministers renegotiate.

Some 87% of NASUWT members snubbed the £1,000 one-off payment for this school year and average 4.5% wage rise for the next.

The 280,000 teachers will now be balloted on strike action, with 77% of them saying they were in favour of it.