UK government announces plans for minimum service levels to limit teacher strikes News
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UK government announces plans for minimum service levels to limit teacher strikes

The UK Department of Education announced on Friday that it was introducing minimum service levels for schools to limit the amount of teacher strikes. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said that she invited the National Education Union (NEU) to discuss a mutual agreement regarding the minimum service levels. Keegan says if no voluntary agreement can be created, then she will use powers under the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023.

NEU responded to the government announcement in a press release, saying that it “strongly opposes the introduction of minimum service levels.” It states that minimum service levels and respective legislation “impacts the fundamental right to strike.” It asserts that an alternative solution to the industrial action is to reassess funding to schools and conservative education policy. NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede said that “the government would get further in minimising industrial action and disruption to schools if it engaged with unions on issues that give rise to ballots.”

In July, the Strikes Act bill received Royal Assent. The aim of the bill was to “balance the ability of workers to strike with the rights of the public.” As its name implies, it serves to create a “minimum service” throughout industries; especially within transport, education and healthcare. Keegan says that “school strikes resulted in 25 million school days being lost cumulatively” and expressed concern that this disruption may continue if strike action persists.

While there is no statutory right to strike in the UK, Art 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights creates the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. The right to unionize is also protected by Art 11. The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 protects and legalizes industrial action if it is conducted in accordance with the Act.

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