MASS school closures are expected across Scotland after “the largest ever vote for strike action by school staff”.
Trade union Unison said that 24 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities would be impacted after staff were balloted on whether to accept a new pay offer amid an ongoing dispute.
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) had put forward an offer of pay rises worth around 5.5% on average.
But Unison said there was an “overwhelming vote in favour of strike action in every council” after balloting closed on Friday morning – though the legal threshold of 50% turnout was not met in every area.
Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, and Perth and all among the councils which will be affected.
School staff vote to strike in 24 councils in Scotland in local government pay dispute
— UNISON Scotland (@unisonscot) August 25, 2023
This is UNISON’s strongest ever strike mandate in local government, which shows the level of anger felt by staff. #PayUpForCouncilStaffhttps://t.co/8OPHugaX3e pic.twitter.com/Ct9BT0YGIM
The trade union’s Scottish secretary, Lilian Macer, said: “This is Unison’s strongest ever strike mandate in local government, which shows the level of anger felt by staff.
“The union will do everything possible to get back around the table with Cosla to resolve this dispute. School staff would prefer to be in school working with children, not on picket lines and closing dozens of schools.
“But the Scottish government and Cosla should be in no doubt about the determination of school staff and they’ll do what it takes to get an improved pay deal for all local government workers."
The union said it was the largest ever vote for strike action by school staff in Scotland and would mean "mass closures" across the country.
READ MORE: Call to join 'stunning' Scottish independence march over Skye bridge
Mark Ferguson, the chair of Unison Scotland’s local government committee, added: “School staff across Scottish local government have voted to strike in unprecedented numbers. Cosla must address the union’s calls for improved fair pay that recognises and rewards them for the vital work they do in their communities.
“Cosla leaders are meeting today and if they fail to address the reasonable demands on the back of such a significant mandate, schools across Scotland will close and nobody wants that.
“Unison remains committed to dialogue and hopes a satisfactory resolution can be found before staff are forced to take industrial action.”
Cosla have been asked for comment.
While dates for strike action have not been confirmed, Unison said that the following 24 councils would be impacted:
- Aberdeen City
- Aberdeenshire
- Angus
- City of Edinburgh
- Clackmannanshire
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
- Dumfries & Galloway
- Dundee City
- East Dunbartonshire
- East Renfrewshire
- Fife
- Glasgow City
- Highland
- Inverclyde
- Moray
- North Ayrshire
- Orkney Islands
- Perth & Kinross
- Renfrewshire
- Shetland Islands
- South Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire
- Stirling
- West Dunbartonshire
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel