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More school strikes in Scotland after Unison union members reject pay offer

Unison held three days of industrial action last month, which closed many schools and nurseries across Scotland. The new dates are expected to be announced in the coming days.

Jenness Mitchell

Scotland reporter

Monday 16 October 2023 14:36, UK

School support staff members of Unison during a rally outside the Scottish parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh. Essential school staff including cleaners, janitors and support workers have been locked in a pay dispute, with a new offer estimated to cost 锟�580 million. Picture date: Wednesday September 27, 2023.
Image: Unison members at a rally outside Holyrood last month
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Further school strikes are set to take place across Scotland amid a pay dispute.

On Monday, Unison announced that nine in 10 (89.92%) members voted to reject the latest pay offer from local government umbrella body COSLA in a consultative ballot.

The union confirmed that a rolling programme of strikes in schools and nurseries will take place in the coming weeks, with dates to be announced in days.

The dispute involves non-teaching staff in schools and early years centres.

Unison held three days of industrial action last month, which closed many schools and nurseries in Scotland as those working across catering, cleaning, pupil support, administration and janitorial services walked out.

School support workers, who are members of Unison, on the picket line at Trinity Primary School in Edinburgh. Essential school staff including cleaners, janitors and support workers have been locked in a pay dispute, with a new offer estimated to cost 锟�580 million. Picture date: Tuesday September 26, 2023.
Image: Unison members on the picket line at Trinity Primary School in Edinburgh last month

Lilian Macer, Unison's Scottish secretary, said: "No one takes industrial action lightly. It's a very difficult decision for anyone, but as much as this is about pay, it's also about standing up for local services.

"The school staff taking part in strike action support children in school every day of the year, and many are parents with school-age children too.

"Workers are taking action because they want children to be educated in well-resourced, well-staffed schools. They want to start trying to reverse years of cuts and under-investment in the workforce and services.

"No one wants to cause disruption for pupils and parents, but school staff have been left with no other option.

"The blame must be laid squarely at the door of COSLA and Scottish ministers. They have it within their gift to end the strike, but they are showing no sign of wanting to do so. That's a terrible shame for everyone affected."

Nicola Sturgeon with striking Unison members outside Royal Mile Primary School in Edinburgh. Pic: Unison Scotland
Image: Nicola Sturgeon spoke to those striking outside Royal Mile Primary School in Edinburgh. Pic: Unison Scotland

The offer represented a minimum wage increase of £2,006 for those on the Scottish government's living wage and a minimum increase of £1,929 for workers who were earning above the living wage.

The living wage of £10.85 would have risen to £11.89 under the deal, equivalent to a 9.6% increase.

The pay offer was estimated to cost around £580m.

Read more:
Hundreds of support staff attend rally outside parliament
Sturgeon shows support for striking school staff on picket line

Unions Unite and GMB both cancelled corresponding strikes to put the offer to their members. The results are yet to be announced.

Unison instead opted to continue with the three days of industrial action ahead of balloting members and recommended they reject it.

Unison confirmed 57% of members had voted in the ballot.

School support staff members of Unison during a rally outside the Scottish parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh. Essential school staff including cleaners, janitors and support workers have been locked in a pay dispute, with a new offer estimated to cost 锟�580 million. Picture date: Wednesday September 27, 2023.
Image: The Unison members demonstrating outside the Scottish Parliament last month

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Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA's resources spokesperson, said the result of Unison's ballot was "very disappointing".

She added: "Firstly, Scotland's council leaders value their workforce.

"Secondly, we have listened to our trade unions, met all their asks and worked with Scottish government to put an incredibly strong half a billion pound pay package on the table - which we hope the other trade union members will vote to accept.

"Finally, offering almost 10% or a £2,006 pay increase for our lowest paid workers, which the unions specifically asked for, and £1,929 or at least 5.5% for everyone else is as far as local government can go without impacting service and jobs."

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