EIS Teacher's mobilise in Glasgow
Many schools around the country will be shut as members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and NASUWT unions walk out on Tuesday and Wednesday over their long-running pay dispute.
It comes after EIS members took three days of “targeted” strike action in four areas represented by key politicians, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, last week and follows national strike action involving several unions in January and late last year.
However, members of the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) agreed to defer the industrial action planned for February 28 and March 1 in the expectation of an improved pay offer in the coming days.
A member survey found they would very marginally vote in favour of accepting the latest Scottish Government pay offer.
The Association of Headteachers and Deputies in Scotland (AHDS) also cancelled its planned participation in further strikes after a majority voted in favour of accepting the deal.
Under the latest offer announced by Scotland’s Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville earlier this month, teachers earning up to £80,000 would have a 6% pay rise from April 2022, and then another 5.5% from the start of the 2023 financial year.
However, the NASUWT said its members are “determined” to continue with industrial action.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said: “The decision of our members to reject the revised pay offer and continue with industrial action reflects the level of anger and frustration towards ministers and employers at their refusal to offer teachers a real-terms pay rise.
“Teachers feel taken for granted by the Scottish Government and Cosla who seem to expect them to be satisfied with yet another year of pay erosion as their workloads become steadily more demanding.
“Three-quarters of members who responded to our consultative survey on the latest pay award expressed support for further industrial action to secure an improved pay offer.
“Members are determined and ready to continue to fight for a pay award that is worthy of their hard work and skills.
“Ministers and employers should be clear of our members’ resolve and work with us to bring forward proposals to improve pay and working conditions that the profession can support.”
EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “EIS members remain absolutely resolute in their determination to secure a fair pay settlement from the Scottish Government and Cosla.
“This two-day national strike action is a further clear signal that Scotland’s teachers are not prepared to accept the deep real-terms pay cut that is being offered to them.
“Support for the ongoing programme of strike action remains very strong, with a growing number of teachers out on picket lines with each day of action.”
The Scottish Government has said the 10% increase that the EIS wants is unaffordable.
Many schools around the country will be shut as members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and NASUWT unions walk out on Tuesday and Wednesday over their long-running pay dispute.
It comes after EIS members took three days of “targeted” strike action in four areas represented by key politicians, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, last week and follows national strike action involving several unions in January and late last year.
However, members of the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) agreed to defer the industrial action planned for February 28 and March 1 in the expectation of an improved pay offer in the coming days.
A member survey found they would very marginally vote in favour of accepting the latest Scottish Government pay offer.
The Association of Headteachers and Deputies in Scotland (AHDS) also cancelled its planned participation in further strikes after a majority voted in favour of accepting the deal.
Under the latest offer announced by Scotland’s Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville earlier this month, teachers earning up to £80,000 would have a 6% pay rise from April 2022, and then another 5.5% from the start of the 2023 financial year.
However, the NASUWT said its members are “determined” to continue with industrial action.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said: “The decision of our members to reject the revised pay offer and continue with industrial action reflects the level of anger and frustration towards ministers and employers at their refusal to offer teachers a real-terms pay rise.
“Teachers feel taken for granted by the Scottish Government and Cosla who seem to expect them to be satisfied with yet another year of pay erosion as their workloads become steadily more demanding.
“Three-quarters of members who responded to our consultative survey on the latest pay award expressed support for further industrial action to secure an improved pay offer.
“Members are determined and ready to continue to fight for a pay award that is worthy of their hard work and skills.
“Ministers and employers should be clear of our members’ resolve and work with us to bring forward proposals to improve pay and working conditions that the profession can support.”
EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “EIS members remain absolutely resolute in their determination to secure a fair pay settlement from the Scottish Government and Cosla.
“This two-day national strike action is a further clear signal that Scotland’s teachers are not prepared to accept the deep real-terms pay cut that is being offered to them.
“Support for the ongoing programme of strike action remains very strong, with a growing number of teachers out on picket lines with each day of action.”
The Scottish Government has said the 10% increase that the EIS wants is unaffordable.
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