Teachers at a Glasgow school will be taking part in 12 days of strike action over the council's alleged failure to protect them against violent and disruptive pupils.
The first strike by the teachers' union NASUWT will be held at Bannerman High School on November 24 with another 11 days planned in the run-up to Christmas. The union has said they have engaged with the school for a year over the perceived safety issues.
The union claim that staff have been 'shoved and threatened' with one pupil 'brandishing' a screwdriver at the school, reports the Daily Record. A source told the paper that the problem only relates to a small number of pupils.
Read more: Glasgow schools set to close as teachers vote for strike action amid pay dispute
It's also been claimed that teachers were told they would be sent home without pay if they refused to stay in classrooms.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “The actions and systematic failures of the Council are placing the safety of teachers at serious risk.
“No teacher should have to go to work expecting to be sworn at, verbally abused or threatened with violence from the pupils they teach.
“Glasgow City Council’s attempts to bully our members are indicative of a climate of fear that the Council has allowed to develop at Bannerman School.”
Mike Corbett, NASUWT National Official Scotland, added: “Where any pupil seeks to intimidate staff in classrooms, corridors and elsewhere, disrupt classes or pose a constant threat to the health and safety of teachers the Council should be taking action to protect staff rather than bullying and threatening our members.
“The NASUWT will not stand by whilst any teacher suffers violence and abuse at work and whilst Glasgow City Council fails to uphold its duty of care to staff and pupils.”
Glasgow City Council has since refuted the union's claims they have 'bullied' staff, saying they take their safety 'very seriously.'
A spokesperson said: “The position that has been outlined by the NASUWT is an inaccurate reflection of the extensive, ongoing support by the council and senior management at the school and it is deeply upsetting that the school is once again being dragged through the media.
“The safety of our staff is taken very seriously and additional measures have been in place at the school to meet the needs of the teachers and support staff in the ASL base and the refusal to teach by some members can only be seen as victimisation of young people with significant needs.
“The school has a ratio of one teacher to every three pupils in the base as well as pupil support workers with individual support plans for young people."
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