Perth and Kinross schools could close in autumn after support staff vote to strike over pay
dailyrecord.co.ukPerth and Kinross schools could close in the autumn after support staff voted overwhelmingly to walk out over pay.The region had the highest turnout in what was the largest ever UNISON ballot for strike action by school staff in Scotland.The ballot closed on Friday with 68 per cent of local members taking part and 93 per cent voting in favour of walking out.UNISON - the largest local government union - balloted catering, cleaning, pupil support, administration and janitorial school staff working for Scotland’s councils over the five per cent pay rise offer from COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities).The workers were due a pay rise in April and have been offered an additional increase - dependent on salary - from January 2024 for all local government workers.While every council voted in favour of strike action, a 50 per cent turnout is required by trade union laws.
This was met by 24 of the 32 councils.Perth and Kinross had the highest turnout with 68 per cent of members taking part. The next highest was Angus with 67 per cent participating, then Orkney with 63 per cent.The 24 councils where the 50 per cent turnout threshold was met were: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, City of Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Moray, North Ayrshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire.UNISON Scotland’s local government committee will meet this week to take the next steps to prepare for industrial action as they seek to get an improved pay deal for all local government workers.UNISON
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