Deadlock in dispute
AS things stand it’s difficult to see a breakthrough in the pay-rise dispute which closed Inverclyde’s schools yesterday as teachers went on strike.
They are demanding a 10 per cent hike in their salaries but their employers say the money simply isn’t there to fund an increase of that scale.
The row must be resolved soon, as our young people have suffered enough disruption to their education already over the last couple of years.
TEACHERS in Inverclyde have warned that they will intensify strikes unless a better pay-rise offer is tabled — as bosses say their demands could jeopardise jobs.
Schools right across the district closed their doors yesterday as staff walked out for the first time in 40 years, but more walkouts loom amid deadlock in the dispute.
Teachers turned out in large numbers at picket lines as the EIS union reiterated demands for a 10 per cent pay rise and thousands of pupils were forced to remain at home.
EIS Inverclyde branch president John Girkins toured picket lines and said the public had shown strong support, but council leader Stephen McCabe has today warned that there is no extra money available and says a bigger pay-rise would trigger cuts.
Mr Girkins, an English teacher at St Stephen’s High, said: “No teacher ever wants to go on strike, it is the very last resort and not a decision that we have taken lightly.
“We all want to be in a classroom, not standing outside on a picket line.
“I think the fact we have not been on strike for 40 years says it all.
“But we are forced into this action, so Cosla and the Scottish Government need to listen.”
Speaking outside Inverclyde Academy, John added: “The support from the public has been overwhelming.
“Everyone who has passed us has shown their support.”
It was a similar picture across the district with healthy turnouts of teachers holding placards.
At St Mary’s EIS supervisor Jenna Boyd said: “Going on strike was a massive decision for us to take.
“But we know of members of staff who are struggling
“This is not something that we would ever have chosen to do. We want to be in class with our children, not out here.
“We have had huge support from parents, and it has helped to see the support we are getting from everyone who passes. I just hope we are finally listened to.”
All Saints Primary’s EIS rep, teacher Elizabeth Deafley, said: “Since 2008, in reality, we have had a 25 per cent pay cut. It can’t go on.
“Many of us are parents as well, we understand what it is like and we can’t thank our pupils’ parents enough for all their support.”
But local authority leader Mr McCabe insists there is no money to fund a 10 per cent pay rise.
He said: “I make no criticism of a workforce going out on strike for better pay, I have the greatest respect for those who are prepared to go out on strike for something that they feel so strongly about.
“I think every worker in the country would want a 10 per cent pay rise right now in the cost of living crisis.
“But the bottom line is no local authority in the country can afford to give teachers a ten per cent pay offer.
“As it stands we are already looking at how to mitigate huge cuts to the next year’s budgets.
“The brutal reality is if teachers are to get a much improved pay-rise that will mean more cuts to services and jobs, even higher service charges for the public and higher council tax rises.
“The Scottish Government has said to Cosla there is money given for extra teachers that could be used to make an improved pay offer — but if we use that for pay, there will be less teachers in our schools.”
In the next few months Inverclyde Council will look at how to make millions of pounds worth of cuts, with hundreds of jobs under threat.
Proposals include a huge hit to non-teaching staff in schools with a reduction in pupil support assistants and janitors.
Councillor McCabe said: “As it stands I don’t see how we can balance the budget next year without there being significant cuts to education.
“I am just trying to be upfront.
“I know there are strong feelings among activists.
“But following the improved pay offer that was accepted by non-teaching staff and other council workers, it was agreed that if a higher offer was made to another union, we would need to reopen negotiations.
“So there is that to consider as well.”
A spokesperson for EIS Inverclyde said: “We remain open to further negotiation but have already notified our employers of our intention to strike on January 10 and 11 should a substantially improved offer not be forthcoming.”