The government has opened a new front in its fight against the teaching unions after calling for an end to full-time union reps in schools.
It says that trade union representatives should be able to carry out their duties in one day a week or less.
Trade union reps in schools are entitled to paid time-off from teaching, known as facility time, in order to carry out duties such as negotiating with employers and representing members in grievance procedures.
However, new advice from the Department for Education (DfE) says that no teacher funded by the taxpayer should work full-time on trade union issues.
Teachers’ unions have rejected the suggestion, arguing that research shows facility time saves schools money by helping staff to work efficiently, reducing conflicts and improving health and safety.
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