TEACHERS in the Ribble Valley and Hyndburn have joined colleagues from all over East Lancashire in slamming the Government's performance-related pay plans.

Members of the National Union of Teachers in East Lancashire have launched a strong campaign opposing the plans, ahead of a vote on the possibility of industrial action.

Several head teachers from Blackburn recently issued a joint statement outlining their anger at the proposals. Now, leaders of the Ribble Valley and Hyndburn branch of the NUT say they will be strongly encouraging their members to vote for a boycott of an appraisal system which is linked to the performance-related pay plans.

Ribble Valley and Hyndburn NUT secretary Bob Allonby, said: "The Government has refused to recognise the damage that will be done to our schools by its proposals. "So far, it has opted for delay in imposing its changes to appraisal and that is not adequate.

"Schools depend on teachers being willing to share good ideas and resources, to work in partnership with colleagues and to provide advice and support to colleagues in difficulty.

"Pitting teacher against teacher will lead to the destruction of that co-operation."

Mr Allonby added that the Government's plans to introduce performance-related pay would end up damaging the education of East Lancashire youngsters, while a boycott of the appraisal system would create no such damage.

He said: "The NUT is ready for unrestricted dialogue with government on changes which would benefit pupils and teachers."

The national NUT ballot on the possible boycott of the appraisal system closes on Friday.

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