A ballot for teachers in Lincolnshire and Newark will close today
The result - which is expected in the coming weeks - will show whether they'll take strike action, which would affect around 350 schools in Lincolnshire
Teachers across Lincolnshire and Newark have until the end of today to vote on whether to go on strike.
If members of the National Education Union vote in favour, they're likely to walk out at the end of this month - with the majority of schools having to close.
It's over a row in a lack of funding, staffing levels and pay.
Lincolnshire is particularly affected by teachers leaving the profession
Ken Rustidge is the Lincolnshire Secretary of the National Education Union.
He says something needs to change:
"Well, the situation in Lincolnshire and indeed across the whole country is very, very serious.
"There is a recruitment and retention crisis in teaching, and a very large percentage of teachers leave, you know, within the first five years.
Unions call for talks
Particularly, in Lincolnshire near the coast, in Lincolnshire areas, it's actually the worst in the East Midlands, especially in secondary schools, when it comes to teachers.
"In real terms, since 2010, teachers and people in education, face pay cuts, and that really doesn't seem right and doesn't seem fair.
So the answer is really simply, negotiation.
For people to sit down and to talk with the trade unions, and to make something better for the children and therefore the next generation."
Ministers respond by saying they do want to continue with talks
The Government has responded to the criticism from education unions:
A number ten spokesperson told reporters:
"The Education Secretary held a meeting earlier this week, a constructive meeting with union leaders, and I believe that she held a similar meeting yesterday.
"She agreed the importance of working together to avoid strike action that would be damaging to children.
We know the disruption that children have already faced in terms of their education due to the pandemic, so we obviously don't want to see any further disruption.
"We continue to want to try and help and facilitate teachers and the unions receive a fair and affordable pay deal.
"The most important thing is that we continue to talk."