Members of the Education Institute of Scotland (EIS), Scotland’s largest teaching union, are staging a one-day walkout over pay after 96 per cent of members backed strike action with a turnout of 71 per cent. Union leaders say the latest five per cent offer from the Scottish Government and umbrella council Cosla equates to a pay cut in real terms of almost eight per cent. Members of the Union of Bosses and Agents in Scotland (AHDS) are taking industrial action on the same day. In a letter to parents, the city’s director of education Amanda Hatton said: “As almost all teachers will be taking part, schools will be closed for the day. Teachers and other staff not on strike will work from home. Headteachers will send details of the learning and pastoral support that will be provided as soon as possible.” He added that term kindergarten classes in elementary schools will be closed, although all other facilities will be open, with specific arrangements emailed separately. Children eligible for free school meals will receive their Thursday lunch to take home on Wednesday with instructions to keep it fresh until use. There will be no clubs other than evening classes held after 18:00. Ms Hatton continued: “It is unfortunate that we have had to make these decisions, but with so many staff likely to be involved in industrial action, it is not possible for schools to open safely. I appreciate that the planned industrial action will cause disruption to families who will have to make alternative childcare arrangements and apologize for this.” Meanwhile, Edinburgh education spokeswoman Joan Griffiths called on Mr Kosla and the Scottish Government to come to the table and do what they can to stop the strike. He said: “We are fully aware of the impact that closing our schools next week will have not only on parents and carers but also on our young people, however the planned strike action has left us with no choice. Our top priority will always be the education of our young people, but the Scottish Government and Kosla must act now and talk to the unions immediately to reach a deal that avoids these potential strikes. They waited too long when it came time to resolve the summer bin strikes and it caused untold disruption in Edinburgh and other Scottish cities. “Our young people have already missed enough time in schools during the pandemic without having to suffer any more from the loss of learning away from the classroom. For the sake of our children’s education, the Scottish Government and Khosla must resolve this as a priority.” EIS members will hold a one-day strike next Thursday over pay.
