TODAY (Thursday) teachers across West Devon and East Cornwall will again be striking as part of union action against the Government over matters of pay, conditions of service and workload. The strikes, spear-headed by the NUT (National Union of Teachers), is in protest against the amount of pay they receive, the age at which they qualify for pensions, and over the number of hours they work each week. Christine Blower, the NUT's general secretary, said the strike was a 'last resort'. She said: 'For teachers, performance related pay, working until 68 for a full pension and heavy workload for 60 hours a week, is unsustainable.' Andy Woolley, NUT South West regional secretary, said: 'Although we all have some specific issues of concern, the common theme is that our members, who perform valuable services for the community, have been badly treated and exposed to increasing workload for less pay in real terms.' Despite this action however, the majority of schools in the area will be staying open and will be operating as usual, with some holding alternative activities for students if their teacher has gone on strike, avoiding individual class closures. Daryll Chapman, principal of Okehampton College, said: 'I am disappointed that the Government and the unions have not been able to discuss very important issues facing the teaching profession. 'The teachers I have spoken to would prefer to take individual action, but feel their concerns are not being taken seriously and are left with no alternative but to strike'. A spokeswoman for the Department for Education said that talks were still ongoing and there was no justification for a strike, saying: 'Ministers have also met frequently with the unions and will continue to do so. 'Further strike action will only disrupt parents' lives, hold back children's education and damage the reputation of the profession.'