Council / School strike dates set for end of September
A NUMBER of local schools are likely to close for a few days later in September due to strike action by non-teaching staff.
Local government union Unison announced earlier on Thursday that schools in 24 council areas, including Shetland, will be affected by industrial action over a three consecutive days from 26 to 28 September.
It is not yet clear how many schools will have to close, but Unison Shetland said that 26 of the 28 local schools will be affected by the strikes.
The union said the strikes would lead to mass closures of schools across Scotland as more than 21,000 of its members – including catering, cleaning, support and administration staff – are expected to take part.
The union’s head of local government Johanna Baxter said: “Going on strike is always a last resort – our members want to be in schools supporting children not on picket lines outside them.
“But they have been left with no option. Local government workers overwhelmingly rejected COSLA’s below-inflation pay offer back in March and despite our repeated representations no improvement has been forthcoming.
“A real-terms pay cut in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis is a cut our members simply cannot afford.
“This is not a highly-paid workforce – three quarters of local government workers earn less than the average Scottish wage. All they want is to be paid fairly for the vital work they do supporting Scotland’s communities – COSLA and the Scottish Government need to get back round the table and work with us to deliver that.”
A spokesperson for Shetland Islands Council said: “We will assess the impact this industrial action will have on our schools and inform parents and carers as soon as we have details.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
