Teachers’ unions demand Sturgeon ‘ does better’
Staff point to previous time First Minister stepped in during strikes
TEACHERS have slapped First Minister Nicola Sturgeon with a poor report card as Glasgow primary schools shut due to strike action.
Members of the NASUWT union gathered outside the MSP’s Govanhill office yesterday to call on the SNP leader to do more.
Among their complaints, the educators said the First Minister should be playing a more pivotal role in talks taking place between the Scottish Government, COSLA and unions, as well as ensuring staff are offered more than the current 5% bid on the table.
The group, which was encouraging passers- by to toot their horns or give them a wave in support, claims that rising inflation rates mean the offer would amount to a real terms pay cut.
Mike Corbett, NASUWT national official for Scotland, said: “We’re trying to give Nicola Sturgeon the message that we need a new, improved offer on the table as soon as possible to try and resolve this pay dispute ... as it stands six weeks after the last pay offer we still have no new offer on the table.” He added: “There seems to be a bit of an impasse at the moment and claims that there’s no more money available, there’s no more money around, but we know from what happened with the local government last year, we heard similar things and then the First Minister, herself, intervened and made sure that there was.” The union also expressed its sympathy for families who may be struggling with the childcare issues as a result of the strike. Secondary school staff are expected to follow suit today while further industrial action is expected as early as next week if a deal cannot be struck.
Mike added: “Our members do not wish to take further strike action, having already been out on strike in December, but, in the absence of any improved pay offer, they feel they have no alternative.
“The Scottish Government’s own figures demonstrate that teacher numbers have dipped while pupil numbers have increased and, meantime, teacher- training institutions cannot fill all of their places.
“If there is no significantly improved pay offer for teachers then these recruitment and retention problems will become a full- blown crisis and threaten the whole education system.”
A study by the National Parent
Forum of Scotland found that more than 80% of parents supported the strikes but they were concerned with the lasting impact it’ll have on youngsters – particularly those with additional support and complex needs.
Cheryl Burnett, the group’s chair, said: “We believe everyone has a right to stand up and empower their voice to be heard, as par
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