Scottish school strike action to go ahead

Teachers who are members of the NASUWT union will take strike action as planned today (27 March), after East Dunbartonshire Council failed to prevent the action.

In the hearing, held on 26 March to consider the petition, the Judge dismissed every point of challenge the council made and awarded the Union its costs.

The strike action in three schools, Kirkintilloch High School, Lenzie Academy and Bearsden Academy will now go ahead.

The strike action is the first in the NASUWT’s plans to target councils across Scotland who fail to act to support teachers to improve their workload and working conditions.

Ms Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said: “Whilst the government must take responsibility for the year-on-year deterioration in teachers’ pay and conditions, there are actions that employers have the power to take locally to address some of the concerns raised by teachers and alleviate some of the pressures on them.

“It is disappointing that we have been forced to take action in East Dunbartonshire, but having attempted to engage in constructive discussions to work together on these issues, regrettably the council changed its position and instead of confirming it would work with us on the issues we had raised, would only commit to them informing local discussions.”