Teachers step up work-to-rule action in pay row It is feared that the action will cause chaos in tens of thousands of primary and secondary schools and could escalate into full-blown strikes later in the year. But union leaders defended the move, insisting it was necessary to fight continuing pay freezes, rising pension contributions and increased workload. Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT, said: "Teachers are being undermined by a Government whose almost daily criticisms and erosion of working conditions and pay, coming on top of previous attacks on pensions, are unacceptable. This negative approach to the profession has to stop. The action we are taking at this stage will have a positive benefit on children's education and restore a balance to the working lives of teachers. Guidance sent to NUT members has told them not to cover for absent colleagues and decline any attempt to take extra pupils into their own class as a result of other staff being off sick. They are warned against invigilating in any exams such as SATs, GCSEs and A-levels, producing more than one written report for parents or completing administrative duties, including collecting money from pupils, photocopying, distributing parental letters, putting up displays or monitoring work experience. In addition, teachers are also told not to attend staff meetings outside the working day other than those planned and cleared in advance or to co-operate with planned observations of their lessons by senior staff beyond the contractual three hours a year. Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, claimed that teachers taking industrial action had already been threatened with breach of contract and salary deduction. She warned that action could escalate later this year if the Government does not respond to teachers' concerns, suggesting activists may consider an all-out strike. The action is already having an effect because there have been threats from local authorities and schools of breach of contract or deductions from salaries. The more that threats are made, the more it strengthens the resolve of teachers.