Members of a teachers’ union have voted for industrial action over pay - but have pulled back from a strike.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) is one of three unions that have been balloting members on industrial action in a long-running dispute over pay which they say has eroded by about a third in a decade.

A fourth union, the National Education Union (NEU), which represents more than 60% of teachers in the island, has agreed a deal in principle with the Department of Eduction, Sport and Culture.

That deal will see new teachers get a big increase in starting salary, which rises to £30,000.

Twenty two ASCL members voted for industrial action short of a strike with none against, and 19 voted in favour of strike action with three against. Twenty five members were entitled to vote.

ASCL officers said they will now discuss with members the details of the action short of a strike that will be taken and when this will begin.

It is likely to involve the withdrawal of co-operation from DESC activities. Strike action is unlikely to be taken in the immediate future but remains an option.

The NAHT will also talk to sister unions the NAHT and NASUWT in order to co-ordinate our action.

ASCL deputy director of policy Sara Ford said: ’Our priority is to press for a fair pay settlement while minimising any disruption to pupils and parents.

’It is the DESC which has created this situation and that is where we will target our campaign.

’It is vital that pay is improved after years of real-term cuts to salaries, not only in the interest of fairness to staff but because it is important for the future of education on the Isle of Man in terms of being able to recruit and retain the teachers that the island needs.

’It is a great shame that it has come to this when the dispute could easily have been settled by the DESC a long time ago at relatively little cost. We call upon the Isle of Man government to do the right thing now and agree a fair deal.’