Sunday 2 October 2022 09:54 AM Nine in ten teachers could back strike action before Christmas shutting schools ... trends now Nine in ten teachers could back strike action before Christmas forcing schools to shut across England over pay disputes. The figures from the largest education union, the National Education Union (NEU), show that hundreds of thousands of teachers could join rail and postal workers causing disruption across the country as they fight back. Up to 30,000 members have said that they would become strike volunteers as they attempt to get their message heard. In fact, the NEU survey - which was sent out to 450,000 members - led to the website crashing as dissatisfied teachers voiced their concerns. The online ballot, which so far has 7,000 responses, still has a fortnight to run and an insider has revealed the union will open up to a formal vote for striking. NEU General Secretary Mary Bousted told The Times: 'Teachers do not want to strike but they are desperate and leaving the profession in droves. Striking is their last resort; they are a statement that things cannot go on like this.' It will pour more misery on both parents whose children were consistently forced to miss long periods of school during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nine in ten teachers could back strike action before Christmas forcing schools to shut across England over pay disputes (stock image) Mary Bousted, General Secretary of the NEU, said that 'Teachers do not want to strike but they are desperate and leaving the profession in droves' Teachers are demanding an above inflation rise to their salary after the Department of Education informed them that most would receive a five per cent rise, rising to 8.9 per cent for newly qualified staff. But more strike actions dooms on the country as the current retail price index rate (RPI), which measures inflation, was at 12.3 per cent in August. Schools are facing a teacher retention crisis due to more than a decade of pay issues where real pay has fallen by a fifth since 2010. Desperate teachers are being forced to turn to food banks as the cost-of-living crisis takes control of everyday living expenses. Just last week NAHT union's General Secretary Paul Whiteman said: 'The spiralling energy bills, inflationary costs, and lack of funding for teachers' pay this year means school leaders will be forced to make cuts that ultimately cannot help but negatively impact on the education and wellbeing of children. The NEU survey - which was sent out to 450,000 members - led to the website crashing as dissatisfied teachers voiced their concerns 'We urge all political parties to listen to the profession to truly understand the link between funding, pay, and children's life chances, and to commit to making the investment into education that is so urgently needed.' It comes also after a summer of widespread union protesting among rail staff, postal workers and NHS staff. In fact, just yesterday passengers were met with travel chaos as unions kickstarted the biggest rail strike in decades during one of the busiest sporting weekends of the year. There were 50,000 train workers who walked out on a day where members from the Aslef, RMT, Unite and TSSA unions began striking for 24 hours in a dispute also over pay as well as working conditions. Signs at a picket line in central London yesterday as around 50,000 rail workers walked out in a 24-hour strike It is the first time in history that the major rail unions have joined forces to organise walk outs simultaneously, leaving just 11 per cent of services operating. The disruption spills into today where thousands were planning to descend on the capital to watch London's iconic marathon. RMT boss Mick Lynch hit back at claims that the unions were targeting the marathon as he insisted they were aiming to disrupt the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham where Liz Truss faces questions over her controversial start as Prime Minister. Mr Lynch said it was important to keep the 'momentum' of the pay dispute going and pointed to members of the public who were backing the union, adding: 'There are people who are inconvenienced who are supporting us every day on the picket lines.' RMT union boss Mick Lynch joined striking railway workers in London at the picket line outside Euston station Those caught out by the strikes are facing rapidly rising bills to make essential journeys - including taxi fares of more than £350. If teachers were to join in on strikes, schools may even be forced to stay open less than five days a week as they are unable to pay teachers, keep up with rising bills and provide free meals to pupils. On October 1, gas and electricity bills went up as the new energy price cap came in, forcing the nation into paying even more in day-to-day living costs. Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT union, urged the Government to increase its offer significantly As teachers and schools fight back, a formal ballot is due to take place in November but the union is already thinking about protesting through regional and national strike days in December, January, or February. For the action to be within the laws, there must be a 40 per cent vote in favour from a 50 per cent turnout. Pay disputes have become such a talking point that the traditionally moderate Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) even had 50 per cent of their survey respondents back a strike ballot. ASCL General Secretary Geoff Barton (pictured) said that there is 'huge frustration' over pay from the last decade, from senior leaders down to funding and teaching shortages Geoff Barton, ASCL's General Secretary said: 'Our members are traditionally extremely reluctant to consider any form of industrial action, and it is therefore remarkable that a majority of survey respondents favour an indicative ballot on action short of strike action, let alone the fact that half back holding an indicative ballot on strike action.' He added that there is 'huge frustration' over pay from the last decade, from senior leaders down to funding and teaching shortages. The second largest teachers' union, the NASUWT, is reportedly also planning to hold ballots after they found 72 per cent of 8,750 teachers surveyed said the pay award offered should be rejected. The General Secretary, Dr Patrick Roach, urged the Government to increase its offer significantly. A Department for Education spokesman said: 'We have confirmed the highest pay awards for teachers in a generation — 8.9 per cent for new teachers and 5 per cent for experienced teachers and leaders — recognising their dedication and hard work. 'We recognise that schools — much like wider society — are facing cost pressures. So we're increasing core school funding by £4 billion this year compared to 2021-22, helping schools meet those increased costs. 'It is incredibly disappointing that some unions are threatening industrial action in schools. Strike action will damage children's education and disrupt parents' lives. Given the impact of the pandemic on children, it's more important than ever that strike action is avoided.' All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility