A union chief has insisted “teachers are not going to back down” as rolling strike action continues into its third week in a dispute over pay.
It comes amid a warning that jobs could be lost next year as councils seek to ‘balance their books’.
Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) union began 16 days of industrial action on Monday 16 January.
The protests, which will be held in two of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas each day until 6 February, continued in Aberdeenshire and the Borders on Monday.
‘Scotland’s teachers are not going to back down’
In an update ahead of the fresh week of strikes, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley accused the Scottish government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) of “inaction” to settle the dispute.
She said: “Scotland’s teachers have responded magnificently in recent weeks, supporting ongoing strike action in their tens of thousands right across the country.
“On strike days, schools have closed and the streets have been ablaze with the bright green and pink EIS pay campaign colours, with teachers on the picket lines and attending demonstrations and rallies right across Scotland.
“Teachers do not want to be there, and would much rather be in class working to support young people’s education – but, having been compelled to take strike action by the inaction of the Scottish government and COSLA on pay, Scotland’s teachers are not going to back down.”
Unions have rejected a pay offer which would see most teachers receive a 5% wage rise, although the lowest earners would get an increase of 6.85%.
The Scottish government has previously insisted the 10% rise teachers are demanding is unaffordable.
The EIS has already planned further industrial action on 28 February and 1 March, followed by a rolling programme of strikes for 20 days between 13 March and 21 April.
COSLA claimed both parties “still remain a distance apart in terms of a settlement” amid a warning that jobs could be lost next year as councils seek to ‘balance their books’.
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Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA spokesperson for resources, said: “We remain in discussions with our trade union and Scottish government partners as we endeavour to find areas for agreement.
“Strikes in education are in nobody’s interest and all parties are eager to seek a resolution that not only protects the teaching and wider local government workforce, but also our children and young people’s educational experience.
“COSLA leaders are clear that given the financial pressures being faced it remains the case that the 10% ask of the trade unions remains unaffordable and therefore we still remain a distance apart in terms of a settlement.
“Given the local government settlement for 23/24, what teachers are asking for, over and above the current offer, is simply not sustainable on a recurring basis.
“Already, councils are considering a range of options to balance the books next year and options will inevitably include a reduction in jobs across all service areas, including schools.”
