New proposals for minimum service level (MSL) laws in colleges when staff are on strike would further “inflame” tensions between colleges and unions, leaders have told FE Week.
The Department for Education launched a consultation last week with proposals that would allow colleges to require staff to work during strikes so priority groups of students can still attend classes.
One college principal told FE Week the plans could wreck carefully managed relationships between unions and colleges, which have been under strain in recent years due to industrial disputes over low pay and workload.
Education secretary Gillian Keegan first floated MSL last month and opened talks with unions for a voluntary agreement that would avoid legislation.
