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Scotland's primary schools shut as teachers strike Scotland's primary schools shut as teachers strike
(32 minutes later)
Primary schools across Scotland are closed all day as teachers walk out in a dispute over pay.Primary schools across Scotland are closed all day as teachers walk out in a dispute over pay.
Last-ditch talks between unions and Scottish government officials held on Monday failed to prevent strike action.Last-ditch talks between unions and Scottish government officials held on Monday failed to prevent strike action.
Further walkouts will take place at Scottish secondary schools on Wednesday.Further walkouts will take place at Scottish secondary schools on Wednesday.
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said it was still hoping for a resolution before more strikes go ahead next week.The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said it was still hoping for a resolution before more strikes go ahead next week.
The strikes involve members of the EIS, NASUWT, Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) and the Association of Headteachers and Deputes (AHDS) unions.The strikes involve members of the EIS, NASUWT, Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) and the Association of Headteachers and Deputes (AHDS) unions.
They have rejected a 5% pay increase, arguing for 10%. The latest offer includes rises of up to 6.85% for the lowest-paid staff.They have rejected a 5% pay increase, arguing for 10%. The latest offer includes rises of up to 6.85% for the lowest-paid staff.
The strikes are set to close almost every school in Scotland.The strikes are set to close almost every school in Scotland.
The strikes taking place in JanuaryThe strikes taking place in January
Scottish teachers announce 16 new strike datesScottish teachers announce 16 new strike dates
Teachers say 'we don't want to be on strike'Teachers say 'we don't want to be on strike'
A meeting of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, which brings together unions, local authorities and the Scottish government, took place on Monday in an effort to avert the strike.A meeting of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, which brings together unions, local authorities and the Scottish government, took place on Monday in an effort to avert the strike.
Afterwards EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: "It is disappointing, though not surprising, that no new offer was presented, despite some positive progress in discussions.Afterwards EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: "It is disappointing, though not surprising, that no new offer was presented, despite some positive progress in discussions.
"The union side remains willing to talk, at any time, with a view to reaching a resolution to this dispute."The union side remains willing to talk, at any time, with a view to reaching a resolution to this dispute.
"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.""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."
She earlier told BBC Scotland: "The EIS quite deliberately left a considerable period of time between the last date of strike action on the 24th of November and those taking place this week in order to give time for serious consideration of an improved offer." Mike Corbett, National Scotland official of the NASUWT union, told BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme : "The fact we are talking is progress itself but I have to say there is still quite a distance between what is on the table and what teachers are looking for.
"The last offer was dressed up as an improved offer but it remained for the vast majority of teachers the 5% offer that had been around for months."
Mr Corbett said that historically teacher pay has been getting "worse and worse" since 2010 and that is reflected in the recruitment and retention figures.
Teachers protested outside of the Scottish parliament during November's walk outTeachers protested outside of the Scottish parliament during November's walk out
The NASUWT union, which is pressing for a 12% increase, said teachers felt they had no alternative but to strike, and warned that recruitment was being hit as inflation eroded the value of salaries.
National Scotland official Mike Corbett said: "If there is no significantly improved pay offer for teachers then these recruitment and retention problems will become a full-blown crisis and threaten the whole education system."
On Friday, the Scottish government had said there was "potential scope for compromise" following a meeting with the unions.On Friday, the Scottish government had said there was "potential scope for compromise" following a meeting with the unions.
However, local government body Cosla said there was no additional funding available for an improved pay deal.However, local government body Cosla said there was no additional funding available for an improved pay deal.
This was reiterated by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in an interview with BBC Scotland on Monday.This was reiterated by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in an interview with BBC Scotland on Monday.
She said she valued the "teaching workforce" who did an "incredible job" but added that the Scottish government had limited resources and was trying to operate fairly.She said she valued the "teaching workforce" who did an "incredible job" but added that the Scottish government had limited resources and was trying to operate fairly.
The latest headlines from ScotlandThe latest headlines from Scotland
"So the offer on the table to teachers is the same as has already been accepted by other local government workers, so the janitors and the dinner ladies who work in schools," she said."So the offer on the table to teachers is the same as has already been accepted by other local government workers, so the janitors and the dinner ladies who work in schools," she said.
"Again, like the health service, we have a limited budget, we have a finite budget and no tools that the UK government would have to increase the resources we have available this year."Again, like the health service, we have a limited budget, we have a finite budget and no tools that the UK government would have to increase the resources we have available this year.
"So within those finite resources we will continue to operate in a way that delivers maximum, as big increases as we can for public sector workers, but fairness across the board as well.""So within those finite resources we will continue to operate in a way that delivers maximum, as big increases as we can for public sector workers, but fairness across the board as well."
If no agreement is reached, teachers in Scotland plan to strike on a further 16 days, beginning next week.If no agreement is reached, teachers in Scotland plan to strike on a further 16 days, beginning next week.
The consecutive days of action - split across every council in the country - will take place throughout January and February.The consecutive days of action - split across every council in the country - will take place throughout January and February.
Teachers in two local authorities will strike on each of the 16 days.Teachers in two local authorities will strike on each of the 16 days.
The industrial action follows the biggest Scottish teachers' strike in decades in November.The industrial action follows the biggest Scottish teachers' strike in decades in November.
Most state-school teachers in England and Wales were given a 5% pay rise in 2022. In Northern Ireland many teachers have been offered 3.2% for 2021/22 and 2022/23.Most state-school teachers in England and Wales were given a 5% pay rise in 2022. In Northern Ireland many teachers have been offered 3.2% for 2021/22 and 2022/23.
But unions argue that inflation above 10% means these increases amount to pay cuts.But unions argue that inflation above 10% means these increases amount to pay cuts.
Teaching unions in England and Wales are balloting members over pay.Teaching unions in England and Wales are balloting members over pay.
And teachers from five unions in Northern Ireland are continuing to take action short of a strike - affecting meeting attendance and administrative tasks.And teachers from five unions in Northern Ireland are continuing to take action short of a strike - affecting meeting attendance and administrative tasks.
Are you taking part in the strikes? Are you a parent who is affected by the industrial action? Email: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you taking part in the strikes? Are you a parent who is affected by the industrial action? Email: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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