Glasgow primary schools shut amid teacher strike
GLASGOW primary schools will close this morning after eleventhhour talks to abort strike action failed. Teachers across the city will walk out today and tomorrow amid their ongoing pay dispute with authorities.
Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland, NASUWT, Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association and the Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland have all planned to stay out of the classroom.
Primary school staff will walk out today, while secondary school teachers will strike tomorrow.
It comes after crisis talks were held yesterday afternoon with Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers ( SCNT), the Scottish Government and local authorities coming together to discuss pay options.
Unions have already rejected a 5% pay increase, instead arguing for closer to 10%.
The NASUWT wants to see a fully- funded pay award of 12% for the academic year 2022/ 23 and described offers put on the table as “not acceptable”.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “The failure of the Scottish Government and COSLA to offer any improvements in recent days means we are left with no choice.
“It just cannot be acceptable to expect teacher pay to be cut yet again at a time when we are facing the worst cost of living crisis in a generation.
“NASUWT members will not stand by and continue to watch their pay and living standards shrink further.
“The Government and the employers can end this dispute and they can do that by making a substantial offer that will pay teachers what they deserve.”
Further strike action is scheduled to go ahead later this month if a deal cannot be met.
COSLA and the Scottish Government said they were doing all they could to resolve the dispute, adding that industrial action was in no one’s best interest.
Education Secretary ShirleyAnne Somerville said: “I was grateful for the constructive and helpful talks with the teaching unions and COSLA on Friday.
“I took the opportunity to make clear how much I value
our teaching workforce and recognise the vital importance of reaching a fair and affordable settlement on pay.
“We are open to considering options to resolve this dispute, through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers ( SNCT), and the potential scope for compromise.
“I recognise that any deal must be fair and affordable for all concerned, given the unprecedented pressures facing Scotland’s budget.”