Teachers at former school of Humza Yousaf and Anas Sarwar take strike action

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Teachers at the private school once attended by Humza Yousaf and Anas Sarwar have walked out on strike in a dispute over pensions.Members of the EIS teaching union at Hutchesons’ Grammar in the south of Glasgow voted earlier this month to take action in the row.Nearly 80 per cent of members voted in favour of action on a turnout of 86 per cent.According to the union, staff were sent letters over the Easter break saying they would have to sign new contracts, with the jobs of anyone who refused being advertised elsewhere.EIS members walked out in the first strike action in the history of the school – which boasts both the First Minister and the Scottish Labour leader as former pupils.Sarwar's children also attend the school.Andrea Bradley, general secretary of the union, said: “The fact that EIS members at the school backed strike action so convincingly, and have taken to the street today in protest at the school’s actions, demonstrates the strength of feeling amongst teachers at this damaging enforced change to their terms and conditions of employment.“The school’s actions throughout this process have been shameful – from launching a consultation amongst staff which they then ignored the result of, to issuing ‘fire and rehire’ letters to teachers over a holiday period.“The school must now think again, reverse its course, and reinstate teachers with their previous contractual terms and conditions.”The situation has also prompted strike action from teachers in the NASUWT trade union.A Hutchesons’ spokesman said: “The board of governors is extremely disappointed that the EIS union and some of its member teachers at Hutchesons’ have taken strike action.“The board also strongly rejects accusations of ‘fire and rehire’.