SCHOOLS in Bolton could close as teaching unions voted to step up industrial action over pensions, pay and work loads.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) passed a resolution at its annual conference in Torquay, seeking fresh walkouts as early as this summer amid concerns over the Government’s changes to public sector pensions.

It came just hours after the NASUWT, which is holding its conference in Birmingham, agreed to escalate its industrial action campaign against attacks on pay, pensions, working conditions and job losses — raising the possibility of strikes in the autumn term.

The latest moves by the two unions means schools in Bolton could now face walk-outs from the summer.

NASUWT spokesman Liz Forrest, who was with 11 others from Bolton at the con- ference, said: “NASUWT, after pow- erful and passionate speeches, has passed a motion to escalate action to combat the unjustified attack on teachers’ pensions, pay freezes, work loads, conditions of service and health and safety.

“NASUWT Bolton association health and safety co-ordinator Russ Walters spoke in support of the motion, condemning attempts to redefine schools and colleges as low risk environments.”

The NUT's motion, which was heard in private, called for the union to work with its local divisions with the “aim of organising a further one-day national strike before the end of June”.

Speaking after the debate, NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: “The overwhelming majority of teachers and their organisations have clearly rejected the Government's policy for the teachers' pension scheme.”

Action over the summer term would coincide with exams, but Ms Blower said yesterday it is not the union's intention to disrupt the exams period.

The NUT, along with a number of other trade unions, has been embroiled in a row with the Government over public sector pensions for more than a year. It argues the Government's proposals will leave teachers paying more, working longer and receiving less when they retire.

A Department for Education spokesman said the teachers' pensions deal is “as good as it gets”.