Created on: 18 Jan 2023 | Last modified: 20 Apr 2023
Teachers in Fife and Orkney were on the picket lines today, as the long-running dispute over teacher pay rolls on.
EIS members are currently engaged in a 16-day programme of rolling strike action across Scotland, with teachers in two local authorities on strike each day. There was another strong turnout on picket lines today, and also at pay campaign demos in Glenrothes (Fife) and Kirkwall (Orkney).
Commenting, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “Our rolling programme of action has continued today, with teachers in Fife and Orkney taking strike action. Despite the continuing cold weather, support for the action is rock solid and turnout on picket lines and at campaign rallies remains strong. Scotland’s teachers have waited and waited for a pay rise that was due to be delivered last April, and are making a stand to ensure that the Scottish Government and COSLA finally deliver an improved and fair pay offer to teachers.”
Ms Bradley added, “I would reiterate that we remain fully committed to achieving a fair pay settlement for teachers through the agreed negotiating process within the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT). While some formal and informal talks with both the Scottish Government and COSLA have continued, it is only through an improved, firm proposal being brought to the SNCT negotiating table that the ongoing programme of strike action in our schools can be halted. The Scottish Government and COSLA need to pull out all the stops to bring this dispute to an end, allowing teachers to be back in classrooms where they would much rather be.”
The 16-day programme of rolling strike action involves schools in every local authority in Scotland, with teachers in two local authorities on strike each day for the next three weeks. Last Friday, the EIS announced a further 22 days of strike action, in addition to the current programme of action, should no resolution be reached in the campaign for a fair pay settlement from the Scottish Government and COSLA. On Thursday, the programme of rolling action will continue with teachers in North Lanarkshire and Moray set to strike.