Anas Sarwar has joined striking teachers on the picket line at the Glasgow private school attended by his children.
The Scottish Labour leader has also written to Hutchesons’ Grammar over the “fire and rehire” row that led to the walk out.
Members of the EIS teaching union at the school in the south of Glasgow voted earlier this month to take action in the row.
Nearly 80 per cent of members voted in favour of action on a turnout of 86 per cent.
According to the union, staff were sent letters over the Easter break saying they would have to sign new contracts, with the jobs of anyone who refused being advertised elsewhere.
The school, which charges over £13,000 a year in fee, boasts First Minister Humza Yousaf and Sarwar as former pupils.
The Scottish Labour leader’s children also attend the school.
A party source said: “Anas has previously written to the school authorities raising his concerns both on the issue of pensions and of the recent letters received by staff, and was on the picket line this morning talking to staff.”
Sarwar is at odds with UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, who has said he will not join picket lines.
Richard Leonard, Sarwar's predecessor, tweeted approval of the Scottish Labour leader's action: "This is what Labour leaders should be doing."
Andrea Bradley, general secretary of the union, said: “The fact that EIS members at the school backed strike action so convincingly, and have taken to the street today in protest at the school’s actions, demonstrates the strength of feeling amongst teachers at this damaging enforced change to their terms and conditions of employment.
“The school’s actions throughout this process have been shameful – from launching a consultation amongst staff which they then ignored the result of, to issuing ‘fire and rehire’ letters to teachers over a holiday period.
“The school must now think again, reverse its course, and reinstate teachers with their previous contractual terms and conditions.”
The situation has also prompted strike action from teachers in the NASUWT trade union.
A Hutchesons’ spokesman said: “The board of governors is extremely disappointed that the EIS union and some of its member teachers at Hutchesons’ have taken strike action.
“The board also strongly rejects accusations of ‘fire and rehire’. The school carried out a 60-day consultation which is longer than legally required to ensure it was a thorough process and not rushed. It included both collective consultation and individual consultations.
“The board has been very clear that the reason for withdrawing from the Scottish Teacher Pension Scheme (STPS) is to cap pension costs at a sustainable level to protect the jobs of teachers going forward.
“From discussions with the EIS on Wednesday when the rector and the chair of the board of governors met with a senior official, they do not believe the union shares their aim of protecting teachers’ jobs.
“Protecting teachers’ jobs in the long term was the rationale for withdrawal, that rationale remains the same today and going out on strike to express their unhappiness at the decision will not change that rationale.
“Indeed, strike action threatens the school roll, which in turn threatens teachers’ jobs.
“The board took the difficult decision to withdraw Hutchesons’ teachers from the Scottish Teacher Pension Scheme to cap a significant cost. That decision was taken following a 60-day consultation period with staff. All but one member of staff accepted the change to pension.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is firmly against the use of fire and rehire practices and they do not align with our Fair Work principles. Although we have no role in the pay and conditions or contracts of teachers in the independent sector, Scottish Ministers urge the UK Government to do more with its reserved powers on employment law to prevent unscrupulous employers from using fire and rehire.”
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