Teachers announce new strike impacting schools in New Year

ATEACHING union has announced a further strike date in the New Year in its dispute over pay. The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association ( SSTA) will strike on Wednesday, January 11.

The union was on strike this week with two days of action on Wednesday and Thursday.

The action adds to that of other teaching unions, with the EIS going on strike on January 16 in Glasgow schools.

This week many schools were closed as a result of the strike and teachers held a rally at the Scottish Event Campus in Finnieston.

Catherine Nicol, SSTA president, said: “SSTA members have sent a clear message to the Scottish Government and Cosla. Pay teachers properly, not just for now but for the future. If the Scottish Government values its teachers, it must be prepared to act and negotiate sensibly.

“We must have a pay offer that we can take to our members. If not, the SSTA is prepared to take strike action to obtain a fair deal and further our cause.”

The union is also considering further strike days if there is not an acceptable pay offer from the government.

Seamus Searson, SSTA general secretary, said: “The strikes this week have been an outstanding success with most secondary schools either being closed or severely disrupted by the action of SSTA members.

“The SSTA strike will join with other teacher unions on Wednesday, January 11 in a united front to send a clear message that the teacher unions are not for turning.

“Three years ago, the Deputy First Minister, when cabinet secretary for education, promised the teacher unions that teachers pay must be settled on time and without the prolonged procrastination orchestrated by the employers ( Cosla).

“This pay increase should have been in teacher wage packets in April this year: but we still await payment. The SSTA calls on the Deputy First Minister to be true to his word and settle this pay dispute now.”