Scots teachers to take strike action today as schools to close or partially shut

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Teachers across Scotland are set to walkout today and Thursday forcing schools to close, partially close while some will remain open during the strike action.Members of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) and NASUWT unions are taking industrial action over a pay dispute with COSLA, the council umbrella organisation, and the Scottish Government.Closures vary throughout different council areas across the country.

All secondary schools in Fife, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders will be shut.Schools in all other areas will be hit with partial closures, however Clackmannanshire, Shetland and West Dunbartonshire facilities will remain open over the course of the two days.Seamus Searson, general secretary of the SSTA, said the strike was about sending a "hard message".He added: "The employers (COSLA) and the Scottish Government has failed to contact the SSTA since 22 November to avert the strikes taking place this week.

The proposed SSTA strikes are having an impact by causing confusion in many local authorities in trying to keep schools open."SSTA members are taking part in the strike this week to send a hard message to the employer and Scottish Government that teachers demand to be respected and receive a professional salary that will act to retain teachers in Scottish schools."Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: "This is first time members in Scotland have taken national strike action in over a decade."The fact it has come to this is a reflection of the depth of anger and frustration they feel at being continually told by ministers and COSLA that there is no more money to increase their pay, while their workloads spiral and the expectations on them mount."Ed