'Ethical responsibility' | First UK firm using new 'strike-breaker' law faces an early setback

A school has become one of the first workplaces in Britain to utilise recently-passed laws that allow the use of agency workers to fill for striking staff.

Multiple publications have reported that temporary staff have been brought in to break a strike at Drapers’ Pyrgo primary in London. Around 10 staff are said to be staging the walkout in protest against cuts to their wages and working hours.

In a letter sent to parents in late August, the school’s principal Louise Fisk, wrote: “A change in legislation in July means that schools can now use agency/temporary workers to cover the work of striking employees. This change in legislation allows the school to manage the impact of the strike days more effectively and, more importantly, we can fully continue with the educational service.”
Bushra Nasir, the Chief Executive of the trust which runs the school, said a “generous offer” had been rejected by staff over the summer and that the strike risked damaging students’ education.

She said: “In putting our students first, we reluctantly took the decision to hire some agency staff to cover some roles during the strike, in line with government legislation.