TEACHING unions are threatening further strike action if the government does not listen to their demands.

It comes as teachers from 141 schools across East Lancashire walked out of the classroom yesterday in a row over pay, pensions and working conditions.

The action, called by the National Union of Teachers and the National Association of School Leaders and Union of Women Teachers, was the first in a planned national rolling programme of strikes.

Simon Jones, Blackburn with Darwen representative for the NUT, said: “Teachers from Lancashire were asked to attend the rally in Preston and there were around 1,000 people there standing up for education. But this is not the end of it and there will be further strikes in other regions starting next term. And if education secretary Michael Gove still will not negotiate, that will lead to a further national strike in November.”

Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School, Oswaldtwistle, was one of the schools forced to close.

Head Paul Trickett said: “All of the heads in Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley decided to close their schools to pupils. I supported the action and I think it was right at this particular time to take action against the proposals.”

And Mike Tull, head at Marsden Heights Community College, said in a letter to parents: “This action was not against the college itself but was part of national industrial action organised by these trades unions about changes to the pension schemes of their members.

“There was no requirement on unions to inform us of which members of staff will take action. Given the uncertainty regarding staffing levels and in the interests of the safety of our students, the decision was taken to close the college for the full day.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said they had been and were still in talks with the NUT and NASUWT.