Community has voiced its disappointment with the UK Government’s push to legislate on steps to prevent teachers and lecturers in England from taking strike action; with ministers pursuing an agenda of failure and seeking to undermine teachers and other school staff.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan this week announced a break down in talks with education unions – including Community – on the issue of minimum service levels during industrial action. The Department for Education has announced a consultation on the proposals which will be open for just 9 weeks until 30 January 2024.
In response to the news that teacher unions will have to meet minimum service levels during industrial action, Helen Osgood, Community’s National Officer for Education & Early Years commented:
“The talks are reported to have collapsed, but the first that we heard of this was in the press. As far as we were aware, tentative conversations were still ongoing.
“We are a democratic organisation, which means that our members determine what response we make to any situation, this includes taking industrial action, however this is a very rare occurrence and only used as a last resort when other avenues have been exhausted. What the government is seeking to do with this legislation, is to undermine the rights of teachers to hold the government to account and forcing them to come to the negotiating table.
“It is the right of all workers to withdraw their labour and this legislation seeks to remove that right.
“Instead of pursuing this agenda of failure and seeking to undermine teachers and other school staff, often failing in their duty of care for the workforce, the Government should consider the reasons why people resort to strike action and seek to improve, pay, workload, staffing. This has been highlighted by the department’s own research on the reasons why schools are increasingly understaffed, with overworked and stressed staff looking to leave.
“We know from this research published last year, that over 47% of teachers are stressed. Yet instead of tackling this and other vital issues that would make life better for teachers, the Government is instead proposing legislation that we fear will cause more disruption in schools up and down the country.”
Community is the union for education and early years professionals: representing teachers, headteachers, education, school support staff and early years staff. With over fifty years’ experience, we represent members and campaign to improve conditions for education and early years professionals. We are a modern trade union, campaigning for a better working world.
If you are a member of Community and need help or advice, please contact us at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2026
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