ASCL’s main interest in this area is to promote effective industrial relations and to ensure that ASCL, as a trade union, is able to represent our members’ best interests in dealings with employers.

In general, we agree with the direction of travel and wish to see an industrial relations framework that allows trade unions to organise and bargain collectively without the onerous restrictions imposed by previous legislation.

It is ASCL’s view of that any additional employer costs which fall to schools and colleges as a result of the Employment Rights Bill must be covered through increases to funding. As public sector bodies, schools and colleges are not able to pass any associated costs on to ‘customers’ and it is not acceptable that these costs should come at the expense of the education of children and young people.

Full response to consultation