Teacher unions will be BANNED from shutting schools entirely on strike day under new laws
TEACHER unions will be legally compelled to keep schools open on strike days under a crackdown to be unveiled tomorrow.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will announce plans for a minimum service level requirement during walkouts.
It means unions would be expected to ensure some threshold of staffing is provided on strike days so schools are not forced to completely shut.
She had wanted unions to agree to minimum service levels on a voluntary basis but they refused.
The National Education Union blasted the proposals and said it did not “acknowledge the validity of MSLs given their impact on the fundamental right to strike”.
After talks collapsed Ms Keegan will now pull the trigger on legislation by launching a consultation as the first step.
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Sources said she had “tried her best” to avoid the legal route but “owed it to kids” who risked suffering more disruption.
Parents and pupils endured chaos last academic year as 10 days of strike action saw a total 25million school days lost.
After months of walkouts ministers finally brokered a pay agreement with four biggest teaching unions in the summer.
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But plans for tough laws will likely open up a fresh row with the unions and trigger more anger.
Minimum service levels legislation for rail, ambulances and border security staff are hoped to be passed for Christmas.