More school strikes planned for March

FURTHER strike action from teachers could affect Shetland schools in March.

Teachers across Scotland are on strike today (Tuesday) and tomorrow in an ongoing dispute over pay, with most schools in Shetland closed.

But the EIS union has now issued a fresh list of rolling strikes across the country.

EIS members in Shetland are set to go on strike across all schools on 24 March. Members in primaries could also take action on 23 March, and secondaries on 27 March.

EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said union members remain “absolutely resolute in their determination to secure a fair pay settlement from the Scottish Government and COSLA”.

A recent, revised pay offer from the Scottish Government offering a six per cent rise in 2022/23 and 5.5 per cent in 2023/24 fell short of the EIS’ desired immediate ten per cent increase.

Education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said “we are trying our very best to find a compromise and resolution”.