A union chief has stated she is “very surprised” industrial motion has “got this far” amid a recent wave of rolling strikes by academics throughout Scotland.
Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) union started 16 days of strike motion in a dispute over pay on Monday. Teachers in two of Scotland’s 32 native authority areas will protest every day till 6 February.
The first two councils affected are Glasgow, the place all faculties are closed, and East Lothian, the place they’re shut to all pupils other than these sitting preliminary exams.
The EIS has additionally deliberate an extra 22 days of commercial motion, beginning on the finish of February.
Andrea Bradley, EIS basic secretary, stated the walkouts have been a “last resort” and urged the Scottish authorities and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to do extra to resolve the dispute.
Speaking to Sky News in Glasgow, Ms Bradley stated: “We very much hope that we will be able to settle it.
“We very a lot hoped that we would not have needed to take at some point of strike motion, and we had urged the Scottish authorities and COSLA to do all that they may to useful resource a settlement earlier than we obtained to 24 November, which was the primary day of strike motion. And now we have been doing the identical ever since that day.”
EIS members have beforehand taken three days of strike motion, one in November and two in January, whereas members of different educating unions additionally walked out on these days in January and on two dates in December.
Ms Bradley added: “We actually are very surprised that it has got this far… that in a country where education is said to be such a priority, a number one priority of the government, we are now entering the third day of strike action by the largest teachers’ union in the country.”
Union admits impacts of strikes on kids
The pay dispute has been ongoing since February final yr.
Unions have rejected a pay supply which might see most academics obtain a 5% wage rise, though the bottom earners would get a rise of 6.85%.
The Scottish authorities has beforehand insisted the ten% rise academics are demanding is unaffordable.
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Ms Bradley stated there was months of debate across the negotiating desk earlier than it “got to this point”.
She added: “We understand that this is disruptive for students, it’s disruptive for those who are preparing to take exams in the spring term.
“It’s disruptive for our youngest learners additionally. It’s notably disruptive in gentle of the experiences that these kids have had over the course of the pandemic.
“This is not where teachers would wish to be. These teachers behind me would rather not be on this picket line, they would rather be in classrooms working with children and young people.
“But as I stated, this strike motion at the moment is a part of a final resort. A final resort to get the Scottish authorities and COSLA to pay critical consideration to the wants of academics.”
‘Disappointing’ strikes in ‘nobody’s curiosity’
Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA spokesperson for sources, stated: “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.”
Scotland’s Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville added: “It is disappointing that the EIS has proceeded to escalate industrial action – we are continuing to urge teaching unions to reconsider their plans while talks are ongoing.
“Recent discussions have been constructive. There has been a shared understanding that talks have been centered on discussing potential areas for compromise – not on tabling a brand new supply at this stage.
“To date, we have made four offers, all of which have been rejected, but we remain absolutely committed to reaching an agreement on a pay deal that is fair and sustainable for all concerned.”
Source: information.sky.com”