The National Education Union (NEU) is preparing for a massive wave of school strikes following the Christmas break. This planned industrial action follows recent legislative changes by the Labour government that simplify the process for unions to hold ballots.

Angela Rayner’s legislative shift and the new balloting rules

Recent policy shifts introduced by the Labour government appear to be providing the National Education Union (NEU) with significant tactical advantages. According to the report, these changes—spearheaded by Angela Rayner—make it considerably easier for unions to organize and execute industrial action. Specifically, the introduction of online balloting alongside traditional postal votes is expected to increase member participation.

The report further notes that the current requirement for at least 50 per cent of members to participate in a strike vote is set to be scrapped entirely by 2027. This legislative evolution provides the NEU with a strategic window, as the union has reportedly delayed its national strike ballot until October to align with these new rules. The union aims to use these streamlined processes to hold the country to ransom with walkouts that could disrupt exam classes and force parents to find emergency childcare.

Daniel Kebede’s fight against "schools running on empty"

NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede has framed the upcoming nationwide strike as a necessary measure to "save education ." The union argues that schools are currently at a financial breaking point due to years of significant underfunding,leaving the sector in a state where it is effectively "running on empty."

The central point of contention for the NEU is the government's current offer of a 6.5 per cent pay rise for teachers spread over three years. the union is demanding an improvement on this figure, asserting that the current compensation does not reflect the crisis facing the profession.. As reported by the source, the NEU maintains that no teacher takes industrial action lightly and that such moves are always a last resort.

Allegations of a "Marxist agenda" and political backlash

Political opponents and former union members have reacted to the strike plans with intense criticism. Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake claimed that the new regulations were "cooked up by the unions to cause havoc" in both the public and private sectors. furthermore, former NEU representative Peter Block, 77, suggested that General Secretary Kebede is pursuing a "Marxist agenda" that prioritizes political agitation over the actual welfare of teachers.

The Department for Education has also expressed its disappointment regarding the NEU's approach.. A spokesperson for the Department for Education stated that the move is "extremely disappointing" and warned that children, young people, and hard-working parents will ultimately pay the price. This sentiment was echoed by Iain Mansfield, head of education at the Policy Exchange think-tank, who argued that the NEU is ignoring the fact that teachers have already received "inflation-busting pay rises."

Will the NASUWT join the NEU in a coordinated walkout?

Coordination between different unions could significantly expand the scale of the planned disruption. While the NEU is the primary driver of this movement, the source indicates that any action taken by the NEU is likely to be coordinated with the NASUWT, another major teachers' union.

Several critical details regarding the strike's impact remain unverified. It is currently unknown exactly how many schools will participate in the post-Christmas wave, and the government has not yet detailed how it will mitigate the impact on students in critical exam years. furthermore, while coordination with the NASUWT is anticipated, the union has not yet officially confirmed its specific involvement or timeline.