Call for Scottish Government to resolve 24-hour walkout as almost 3,000 teachers to go on strike across Aberdeenshire
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MSP Alexander Burnett has called on the Scottish Government to resolve a 24-hour walkout from teachers which will see almost 3000 members of staff go on strike across Aberdeenshire.
Members of the EIS union rejected a five percent pay offer from the Scottish Government, saying they wanted 10 percent.
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said they had become “increasingly angry over their treatment”, marking the first time since 1985 that they have undertaken strike action over pay.
A total of 2,800 teachers in Aberdeenshire will participate in the walkout on November 24, resulting in schools being closed for pupils.
It’s understood staff who are not part of the union will still have to come into school but no virtual learning will take place for pupils across the local authority.
MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Alexander Burnett, said: “The Scottish Government must urgently intervene to prevent this catastrophic strike from going ahead in Aberdeenshire.
“The Education Secretary has known about the threat of a walkout for months but has categorically failed to support our hard-working teachers who are now at breaking point.
“This has stemmed from years of systematic underfunding of local authorities by the SNP Government, which has left Scotland’s councils unable to meet the pay demands of workers grappling with the rising cost of living.
“Parents and pupils have already suffered huge disruption during the last two years and strike action is the last thing they need.
“School closures across the north-east will only add to the hardship families are already facing as additional childcare costs must be sought.
“As a parent I know first-hand what an incredible job our teachers in Aberdeenshire do which is why I urge Shirley-Anne Somerville to finally show some leadership and resolve this dispute.”
