Thousands of teachers across the North began a campaign of industrial action today as the new term began.
Up to 22,000 teachers were involved in the action to protest delays in pay increases for senior teachers.
The North's department of education has - following an independent review - decided to fund the second stage of an increase for classroom teachers at the top of the pay scale from September 2003 rather than 2002 as initially agreed.
The department says it cannot afford to backdate the money and the decision effectively denies more than 14,000 teachers just over £1,000 and leaves them worse off than their counterparts in England and Wales where the increase has been implemented.
The four unions representing teachers last term voted overwhelmingly for New Year industrial action short of a strike, and the two largest, the NASUWT and INTO, also voted for strike action.
The head teachers' union did not hold a ballot but agree to support the industrial action.
Mr Ray Calvin, general secretary of the Ulster Teachers' Union pointed out that when the first stage of the pay award was made to 14,500 teachers, the employer spent over £1 million in an assessment process and less than 70 failed - reduced to around 40 on appeal.
He said teachers were again being asked to "jump through the hoops" of assessment while being denied 12 months money.
The Ulster Unionist Party, SDLP and Sinn Féin are supporting the teachers'
action.
PA