Union NASUWT to cancel strike action following council letter

Teachers’ union NASUWT has agreed to withdraw its strike action, scheduled to take place on 30 November 2017.

This comes after a letter was sent from East Dunbartonshire Council offering talks to seek to find a way forward.

Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said: “All employers should recognise that teachers don’t take strike action lightly, and if they are prepared to strike then there are serious issues that need to be acknowledged and addressed.

“Offering to talk about a way forward, as East Dunbartonshire Council has done, is a positive step to which the NASUWT has responded equally positively.

“East Dunbartonshire Council’s approach to the NASUWT’s strike action contrasts favourably with the hostile and combative reaction of Glasgow City Council, a reaction which appears to have been incited by the statement issued by the EIS. This is unacceptable and unprecedented and brings the ethos and traditions of the trade union movement into disrepute, it is now a matter for the STUC.

“NASUWT members and teachers generally have been appalled by the EIS statements, which have not diminished their anger about cuts to their pay, deterioration in their working conditions and crushing workload burdens.”