Teachers to walk out after 88% vote for strike

DUNDEE secondary teachers have voted in favour of industrial action and set a date to strike next month.

In a ballot held by the Dundee branch of teaching union EIS, 62% of members voted and 88% of those said yes to strike action.

The strike mandate is part of the union’s Stop Faculties campaign, which hopes to overturn Dundee City Council’s plans to introduce a faculty management system – with the loss of 110 principal teacher posts.

It follows an initial consultative online ballot in March, which saw 88% of Dundee EIS members back industrial action, with a 73% turn-out.

EIS Dundee rep David Baxter said: “We have set a day of action on June 22 – the ball is in the elected politicians’ court now.

“This was an issue of the SNP council before election and now a new SNP council who have not listened to teachers – it’s the same councillors.

“They ignored us in January when we said we don’t want this and it doesn’t raise attainment. They ignored teachers when we said we wanted to strike.

“They really can’t ignore it now we have a mandate for strike action.

The faculty management system would see 110 principal teachers removed from secondary schools as part of wider changes to management structures.

Dundee City Council previously said it is “hoping and willing” to continue talks with trade unions.

However, plans to implement the structure are still in place, with a phased introduction set to begin in August.

A council spokesman said: “All but two of Scotland’s 32 local authorities already have a faculty structure in place.

“Officers have met regularly over the past three years with local trade union representatives.

“There have been ongoing changes to proposals and structures because of feedback from trade unions during these planned meetings.”