Highland Council warns of two days of strike action by teachers
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Parents and carers have been written to by Highland Council outlining their actions, including closing all schools, should there be teachers' strike this month and next.
However, the letter also states that on-going discussions at a national level are being held between unions and employers and this may result in strike action being averted.
Parents are warned that some teaching unions including the largest, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), have indicated their intention to take strike action on Tuesday, February 28, and Wednesday, March 1, across all Highland Council schools as part of a national dispute regarding pay.
Nicky Grant, executive chief officer education and learning, wrote: "The safe supervision of children and young people is of the utmost importance and given that we anticipate significantly reduced numbers of both management and teaching staff in schools and early learning and childcare settings, a decision has been made to close all schools to pupils.
"I apologise for the inconvenience this will cause, however it is hoped that by communicating this decision early that it will allow parents/carers to plan ahead.
"While the council has been formally notified by teacher unions of their intention to strike, there are on-going discussions at a national level and this may result in strike action being averted, if this is the case then you will be notified of this through the council website www.highland.gov.uk our social media platforms, as well as your child’s usual school communication channels."
In summary, on the strike dates:
- All primary schools including local authority ELC and out of school care settings will be closed to pupils.
- All secondary schools will be closed to pupils.
- All special schools and off-site provision will be closed to pupils.
- BACS payments will be made for those children and young people entitled to a free school meal based on low income (not universal entitlement).
- School crossing patrols will not operate on this day.
- School transport will not operate on this day.
The general secretary of the EIS has said a new pay offer for teachers is a “baby step” rather than a “significant improvement”.
The deal announced on Tuesday evening would see teachers who earn up to £80,000 given a six per cent pay boost backdated to April 2022 and a further 5.5 per cent from the start of the 2023 financial year, representing 11.5 per cent over two years.
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley told BBC Scotland on Wednesday: “I would say what’s been put through the media and subsequently put on the table for negotiation later this week amounts to a tiny baby step in the right direction rather than a significant improvement.”
She said the union’s salary negotiating committee would consider the figures on Wednesday.
