Schools across Stirling have faced more disruption this week as teachers continue their ongoing walkout over a pay deal.
All primaries and additional support needs settings were closed to pupils yesterday, with secondary schools across the region closing their doors today for the latest round of action.
Tuesday’s action was as a result of strike ballots from the EIS, AHDS and NASUWT unions - with today’s walkout coordinated by the EIS, SSTA and NASUWT.
Nurseries in Stirling did remain open on this occasion, with primaries re-opening as normal today and secondaries tomorrow.
The teaching unions have rejected the latest offer from Scottish ministers which included a rise of 6.85 per cent for the lowest paid staff - with calls for a pay increase of ten per cent.
A further meeting between the Scottish Government, unions and local authorities on Monday ended without a resolution being found.
A local EIS spokesperson said: “Teachers do not take strike action lightly and they do so with a heavy heart knowing the disruption this causes to youngsters’ learning as well as to hard-pressed parents and carers.
“Stirling’s children and young people deserve to be well supported within an education system where teachers are well motivated, well paid and not overworked – this is not the situation currently and it’s a huge dis-service to a generation of pupils which can be blamed on government and COSLA intransigence.”
EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley added: “While it is now too late to halt this week’s strike action in schools, we hope that fresh talks may take place later this week to advance discussions towards an improved offer.
“Only a significantly improved offer from the Scottish Government and COSLA can bring an end to this dispute.”
That position was backed by the NASUWT, another union which represents teachers and is taking part in both days of industrial action.
Mike Corbett, NASUWT National Official Scotland, said: “Teaching is a critical job and one that is uniquely and increasingly challenging. Teachers just want pay levels that reflect the years of training they have undertaken, the high level of workload involved and the skill involved in meeting the needs of all pupils.
“They want salaries that enable experienced teachers to remain in the profession long-term and which will incentivise new entrants to join teaching.
“They want pay levels that demonstrate they are respected and valued as the key workers they are.”
If no resolution is found, then teachers are planning a further 16 days of action - with consecutive days of action planned in every council area across January and February.
The action would see teachers in Stirling walk out on January 24, with the action taking place in Clackmannanshire on February 1.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government continues to urge teaching unions to reconsider their plans for industrial action while talks are ongoing.
“Strikes in our schools are in no one’s interest – including for pupils, parents and carers who have already had to deal with significant disruption over the past three years. We value our teaching workforce and recognise the vital importance of an agreement on pay, but we cannot escape the unprecedented pressures facing Scotland’s budget.
“While we have been clear that a ten per cent pay increase is unaffordable within the Scottish Government’s fixed budget, we remain absolutely committed to a fair and sustainable pay deal.”
