Strikes and industrial action in FE usually stem from disputes over pay, working conditions, job security, pensions, or workloads. Tensions can build when staff feel college management or government policies are not adequately addressing their concerns.
Employees in FE colleges, including lecturers, support staff, and other workers represented by trade unions, have a legal right to do this in the UK under certain conditions. Unions must follow proper balloting procedures for any strike action.
Major FE strikes in recent years include:
Strikes and industrial action disrupt teaching and learning by leading to class cancellations and facility closures. Longer strikes can impact assessments, student progress, and grades. Industrial action raises awareness of staff concerns but also places pressures on students, parents, and college operations.
Colleges must follow policies and ensure they comply with employment laws during strikes. This includes allowing the lawful right to strike, avoiding dismissals related to industrial action, maintaining good communication, minimising safety risks, and negotiating with unions in good faith towards resolving disputes.
The Government and the education trade unions, Association of School and College Leaders, National Association of Head Teachers, NASUWT and National Education Union, have agreed to move into…
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has written an open letter to parents setting out the latest on teacher strikes. Dear parents and carers, I’m writing to…
Statement ahead of the talks: The General Secretary of the NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union will attend a meeting with the Secretary of State today…
School leaders’ union NAHT Northern Ireland today (Mon 13 March) announces that it is escalating its ongoing industrial action short of strike due to a…
Following meaningful negotiations between the National Education Union and the Welsh Government, a new, revised and fully-funded pay offer will be put to teacher members.…
Geoff Barton will today (10th March) call on Education Secretary Gillian Keegan to stop “trading fatuous soundbites” and put forward a meaningful offer which brings…
An attempt by education unions involved in the industrial action dispute over pay and funding to break the current deadlock and move forward with talks…
Data shows that while the commitment of school leaders meant 90% of schools remained open through the NEU’s first strike, over half of children still missed out on…
Today (17 Feb), NAHT Cymru has confirmed that it will not go ahead with a planned ballot of members on a new offer from the…
The University and College Union (UCU) welcomed the decision by university employers to enter negotiations to resolve disruptive strike action currently impacting 150 universities. UCU…
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