The National Education Union (NEU), the largest teaching union in England has said that it would be willing to strike over the 2.8% pay offer from the government for the 2025-26 academic year. An informal ballot showed that 93.7% of its members rejected the offer and 83.4% would be willing to strike. The ballot saw a 47.2% turnout.
The vote does not mean that a strike is imminent in England. A formal ballot would be needed and enough would have to vote for that to happen. Any formal ballot for the union would likely be held in the summer.
The first half of 2023 saw the teaching union’s members striking over pay. Many schools had to close as a result of eight days of action. Action was called off after the government revised its 2023 offer to 6.5%. 2024 saw teachers given a 5.5% rise while in December, the government recommended a 2.8% rise.
Nothing is currently planned but schools in England should remain open if action goes ahead, the government has said. Teachers are not required to declare in advance if they intend to walk out and there are no rules about notifying parents about school closures. The decision to close a school is up to the head teacher. Parents may only be informed about closures on the morning of industrial action. This would be when exact staff numbers are known.
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