Teachers in Stirling are taking part in another two days of strike action this week as the national dispute over pay rumbles on.
Every primary and secondary school in the region will be involved in the action over the course of yesterday and today, with members of the EIS and NASUWT unions unhappy about the current settlement offered by the Scottish Government
The latest round of strikes means many pupils will now have lost at least five days since the first action launched back in November - with further regional strikes planned from March 13 if a solution is not found.
Unions have been calling for teachers to be offered an increase of at least ten per cent, but ministers have said this demand is unaffordable.
A planned gathering organised by Stirling’s EIS branch took place outside Stirling Council’s Viewforth headquarters on Tuesday members, with more than 130 members in attendance.
The meeting heard from representatives including local association secretary Ann Skillen, Labour councillor Danny Gibson and primary and secondary teachers employed in Stirling.
Ms Skillen said at the gathering that teachers “continued to be dismayed” over a lack of action from ministers and employers and outlined other issues on top of pay causing concerns to teachers including unpaid overtime, lack of resources due to budget cuts and increasing absence rates.
Meanwhile, teachers at the event also raised their own personal concerns regarding cuts to the delivery of national qualifications and a lack of support staff and classroom resources.
EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said: “EIS members remain absolutely resolute in their determination to secure a fair pay settlement from the Scottish Government and COSLA.
“This two-day national strike action is a further clear signal that Scotland’s teachers are not prepared to accept the deep real-terms pay cut that is being offered to them.
“Support for the ongoing programme of strike action remains very strong, with a growing number of teachers out on picket lines with each day of action.
“Indeed, the EIS processed a significant number of new membership applications in the run up to today’s action, as more teachers expressed their desire to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their colleagues on EIS picket lines this week.”
Meanwhile, following the Scottish Government’s last offer - which would have seen teachers secure a salary increase of 11.5 per cent by April - Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville urged unions to allow their members to consider the proposal.
Ms Somerville said: “The offer is being made at a time of extraordinary financial pressure on the Scottish Government budget.
“Difficult decisions will have to be made to free up the required resources. This reflects our commitment to reach a fair agreement and avoid further disruption to children and young people’s education.
“I have written to the unions asking that their members are given the opportunity to consider this new offer, which is the fifth to be tabled. While they do so, I have asked that they suspend any planned industrial action.
“This would minimise any further disruption to learning, particularly in the run up to the SQA exam diet.”
