In spite of being encouraged by the government's revised pensions offer last week, and its move towards real negotiations, ATL still has major concerns about the proposals.

The government's pension proposals would mean most teachers, lecturers and leaders would have to:

- pay more: pension contributions would increase from 6.4% to an average of 9.8%, which would mean on average a teacher would pay £1,145 a year more and a head teacher £1,965 more.

- work longer: the normal retirement age would rise to 66 and then 68.

- get less: the final salary scheme would be replaced by a career average scheme giving the average teacher between 15% and 30% less in retirement.

- and the proposals would exclude all teachers and heads in independent schools, around 60,000 people in the UK from the respective pension schemes.

The result of the ballots that ran from 25 October to 8 November reveal that ATL members from around the UK will be joining colleagues from up to 13 other education unions on 30 November under taking industrial action.

The figures show in the Northern Ireland Teachers' Superannuation Scheme (NITSS) 69% voted to strike and 31% voted against.

In the Northern Ireland Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), 68% voted to strike, and 32% voted against.

In Scotland in the Scottish Teachers' Superannuation Scheme (STSS), 71% voted to strike, and 29% voted against.

Where as in the non-academic and support staff in England and Wales in the Local Government Pensions Scheme, 73% voted to strike, and 27% voted against.

Dr Mary Bousted, ATL's general secretary, said: "We hope the government pays heed to today's vote, knowing that ATL members are not militant people.

"After a career educating the UK's young people, and paying into their pensions, teachers, lecturers, leaders, non-academic and support staff deserve to have a decent retirement and not be forced to rely on state benefits."

ATL hopes a fair deal can be reached without the members going on strike on 30 November.

"But if it is impossible to agree a fair settlement then we will reluctantly take members on strike again," added Mary.

Aastha Gill