INDUSTRIAL unrest by teachers in Southampton was today thrown into confusion after a split emerged between the two unions taking action.

The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) is suspending its work-to-rule in order to enter negotiations over pay and conditions.

But National Union of Teachers (NUT) staff are set to continue refusing to cover for colleague absences known in advance for more than three days.

The split comes after employers offered a reported £20-an-hour overtime payment to teachers and time off in lieu. Southampton NUT spokesman Peter Sopowski dubbed the offer "bribery".

He said most of its members wanted their workload eased rather than the extra money.

"This is quite cynical," said Mr Sopowski. It's an insult to think that we can be bought for £20. We want to do our own jobs, not other teachers'.

"The £20 to plug the gap will not give us more teachers, which is what most members want.

"This will not solve the workload problem."

NUT general secretary Doug McAvoy has refused to call an immediate suspension to the action and said he would not recommend such a move to its national executive, which meets today.

But Southampton NASUWT spokeswoman Gail Hammett urged teachers from both unions to join forces as one voice in negotiations with the government.

She said: "The government has changed its mind and indicated agreement to establish an independent study into teachers' workloads.

"It sounds quite positive because the sooner we talk the better. We would like to see the NUT join us and it would be good to call off our action together," she said.