Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/ EDINBURGH: Primary schools in Scotland remained closed on Tuesday as teachers observed a strike seeking a salary raise as talks between the union and the government held on Monday ended without any agreement.
Primary and Secondary Schools
On Wednesday, more walkouts will happen at secondary schools in Scotland. Before more strikes in the coming week, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said that it was still hoping for a resolution.
The strikes involve Members of the EIS, NASUWT, Teachers’ Association (SSTA) Scottish Secondary, Deputes (AHDS) unions, and The Association of Headteachers. The teachers have been demanding for a 10 per cent pay raise, rejecting a 5 per cent increase.
The most recent offer included raises for the lowest-paid employees of up to 6.85 per cent. The strikes are expected to shut down practically all of Scotland’s schools. Scottish teachers went on the strike in January, and 16 additional strike dates were set. “We don’t want to be on strike,” the teachers said.
To prevent the strike, the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers met on Monday, which unites unions, local governments, and the Scottish government.
Following the meeting, Andrea Bradley, general secretary of the EIS, stated: “It is sad, but not unexpected, that no new offer was made, despite some encouraging progress in discussions. The union side is still ready to negotiate a settlement at any time.
“While it is now too late to stop this week’s school strikes, we still hope that new negotiations will start later this week to move discussions toward a better offer. A much-improved offer from Cosla and the Scottish government can only resolve this disagreement.”
Earlier, she told the BBC Scotland: “The EIS quite deliberately left a considerable interval between the previous day of strike action on November 24 and those taking place this week to give time for careful consideration of a better offer.”
The NASUWT union, pressing for a 12 percent increase, said teachers felt they had no other option but to go on strike. They also cautioned that the value of salaries was eroded by inflation, affecting recruitment.
The Scottish government on Friday last said there was “potential scope for compromise” following a meeting with the unions. However, local government body Cosla said no additional funding was available for an improved pay deal. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reiterated this in an interview with BBC Scotland on Monday.
Teachers plan to strike for 16 days, starting next week, if no agreement is reached. The consecutive days of action split across every country council will occur throughout January and February.
