Education Secretary Charles Clarke tonight faced his first teacher strike threat since being appointed yesterday as a second union announced plans to ballot its members over cost-of-living allowances.
The normally moderate Association of Teachers and Lecturers said it will ballot members in London on November 5, a move which could lead to a one-day stoppage at the end of that month.
The National Union of Teachers has already staged a one-day strike over London allowances in March and last month announced a ballot on whether to go ahead with a second walkout on November 14.
Both unions believe the inner London allowance should virtually double from £3,105 to £6,000 a year.
Around 1,500 ATL members are eligible to vote and deputy general secretary Gerald Imison said: "ATL members have been pressing the union to hold this ballot and this indicates the tremendous strength of feeling.
"Teaching recruitment problems in London are largely the result of the cost of living and the government has yet to wake up to the realities of the situation.
"Hopefully, this will give them the kick they need."
The further education sector is also set to strike on November 5. They are calling for parity with schoolteachers a pay rise of 12%.
