EDUCATION: Teachers announce further strikes as schools close

The NASUWT confirmed its members would walk out on February 28 and March 1 as a result of the “continuing failure” of ministers and COSLA to come forward with an improved pay offer.

A rolling 16-day programme of strikes got under way on Monday, January 16, with staff walking out in two council areas each day until February 6.

“If ministers hope that teachers will give up the fight for a better deal on their pay they should think again,” NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said.

Unions have already rejected a pay offer which would see most teachers receive a sub-inflationary 5% wage rise, with the lowest earners getting an increase of almost 7%.

The NASUWT is calling for a 12% pay award while Scotland’s largest teaching union the EIS is arguing for a 10% uplift, which the Scottish Government said was unaffordable.

NASUWT members are currently under taking action short of strike by refusing to cover for absent colleagues and attending no more than one meeting per week outside pupil sessions.

Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA resources spokesperson, previously said the discussions had been “proactive”, with politicians trying to “find areas of agreement” with the unions.

“Cosla leaders are clear that given the financial pressures being faced it remains the case that the 10% ask of the trade unions remains unaffordable and therefore we still remain a distance apart in terms of a settlement.”

Currently ongoing strike action closing schools