UNISON members are gearing up for the next wave of strike action in Scotland’s schools and early years centres in a dispute over local government pay.
Schools and early years workers in East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire will embark on a one-day strike tomorrow (Wednesday) which could see hundreds of schools close. This is part of rolling strike action that will take place in schools – and early years establishments linked to schools – across the country in the coming weeks
Johanna Baxter, UNISON Scotland head of local government, said: “The last thing we want is to cause disruption for pupils and parents, but school staff have been left with no other option.
“Workers are taking action because they want children to be educated in well-resourced, well-staffed schools and they want to start trying to reverse the years of under-investment in both the workforce and services.
“While no deal has yet been reached, we continue to have constructive dialogue with COSLA and we remain committed to resolving this dispute as soon as possible.”
Mark Ferguson, chair of UNISON Scotland’s local government committee, said: “Our members voted overwhelmingly to reject Cosla’s pay offer and are determined to fight for the improved pay offer they deserve.
“Cosla and the Scottish government need to give school staff a decent wage rise, fund any increase properly and commit to implementing a minimum underpinning rate of pay of £15 per hour for all local government workers.”
ENDS
PHOTO / INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY
- A rally will be held in Glasgow tomorrow (Wednesday) at Buchanan Street steps from 12pm. Striking workers will also be speaking at this event.
Notes to editors
- UNISON is Scotland’s largest local government trade union representing more than 90,000 local government workers.
- This strike action follows on from three days of strike action across 24 local authorities in September.
- UNISON has also served notice of further strike action to South Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Edinburgh and Fife councils, which will take place next week (Wednesday, November 8).
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Further strike dates and council areas will be announced in due course.For further information
- Johanna Baxter, UNISON Scotland head of local government, 07817 120 894
- Trisha Hamilton, UNISON Scotland communications officer, 07943 507 307 / t.hamilton@unison.co.uk
- Danny Phillips, UNISON Scotland communications officer, 07944 664 110 / d.phillips@unison.co.uk