Teachers head out on strike across Stirling over ongoing pay dispute

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Schools across Stirling have faced more disruption this week as teachers continue their ongoing walkout over a pay deal.All primaries and additional support needs settings were closed to pupils yesterday, with secondary schools across the region closing their doors today for the latest round of action.Tuesday’s action was as a result of strike ballots from the EIS, AHDS and NASUWT unions - with today’s walkout coordinated by the EIS, SSTA and NASUWT.Nurseries in Stirling did remain open on this occasion, with primaries re-opening as normal today and secondaries tomorrow.The teaching unions have rejected the latest offer from Scottish ministers which included a rise of 6.85 per cent for the lowest paid staff - with calls for a pay increase of ten per cent.A further meeting between the Scottish Government, unions and local authorities on Monday ended without a resolution being found.A local EIS spokesperson said: “Teachers do not take strike action lightly and they do so with a heavy heart knowing the disruption this causes to youngsters’ learning as well as to hard-pressed parents and carers.“Stirling’s children and young people deserve to be well supported within an education system where teachers are well motivated, well paid and not overworked – this is not the situation currently and it’s a huge dis-service to a generation of pupils which can be blamed on government and COSLA intransigence.”EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley added: “While it is now too late to halt this week’s strike action in schools, we hope that fresh talks may take place later this week to advance discussions towards an improved offer.“Only a significantly improved offer from the Scottish Government and COSLA can bring an end to this dispute.”Th