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| Teachers' strike: 'No stone left unturned' - Somerville | Teachers' strike: 'No stone left unturned' - Somerville |
| (3 months later) | |
| Scotland's education secretary has said she will leave "no stone unturned" to bring about a quick resolution of teacher strikes affecting schools across the country. | Scotland's education secretary has said she will leave "no stone unturned" to bring about a quick resolution of teacher strikes affecting schools across the country. |
| However, Shirley-Anne Somerville said there was still "some distance" between the two sides in the pay dispute. | However, Shirley-Anne Somerville said there was still "some distance" between the two sides in the pay dispute. |
| She told MSPs: "No-one wants to see strike action in our schools." | She told MSPs: "No-one wants to see strike action in our schools." |
| Most of Scotland's primary schools were shut on Tuesday and secondary schools will be closed on Wednesday. | Most of Scotland's primary schools were shut on Tuesday and secondary schools will be closed on Wednesday. |
| Last-ditch talks between unions and Scottish government officials held on Monday failed to prevent the strike action. | Last-ditch talks between unions and Scottish government officials held on Monday failed to prevent the strike action. |
| The strikes taking place in January | The strikes taking place in January |
| Scottish teachers announce 16 new strike dates | Scottish 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' |
| The strikes involve members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), NASUWT, Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) and the Association of Headteachers and Deputes (AHDS) unions. | The strikes involve members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (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. |
| As the Scottish Parliament resumed following the winter recess, Conservative Stephen Kerr spoke about Monday's talks. | As the Scottish Parliament resumed following the winter recess, Conservative Stephen Kerr spoke about Monday's talks. |
| "Teachers are on strike for the first time in 40 years, because this SNP government has repeatedly let them down," he said. | "Teachers are on strike for the first time in 40 years, because this SNP government has repeatedly let them down," he said. |
| Sides in teacher pay talks 'some distance apart' - education secretary | Sides in teacher pay talks 'some distance apart' - education secretary |
| Sides in teacher pay talks 'some distance apart' - education secretary | Sides in teacher pay talks 'some distance apart' - education secretary |
| Ms Somerville said the talks had been "constructive", adding that she could not give further details while negotiations were ongoing. | Ms Somerville said the talks had been "constructive", adding that she could not give further details while negotiations were ongoing. |
| Referring to "anti-trade union" legislation at Westminster, she said: "I will take no lectures from Mr Kerr or any other Conservative member of this parliament, saying that we should be doing more to actually settle disputes." | Referring to "anti-trade union" legislation at Westminster, she said: "I will take no lectures from Mr Kerr or any other Conservative member of this parliament, saying that we should be doing more to actually settle disputes." |
| The Lib Dems' Willie Rennie asked if there would be a new offer for teachers, saying: "The education secretary does seem to be very chilled out and relaxed." | The Lib Dems' Willie Rennie asked if there would be a new offer for teachers, saying: "The education secretary does seem to be very chilled out and relaxed." |
| Ms Somerville said both sides in the dispute would have to compromise in order to reach a resolution, adding: "We will, of course, leave no stone unturned to try and do that as quickly as possible." | Ms Somerville said both sides in the dispute would have to compromise in order to reach a resolution, adding: "We will, of course, leave no stone unturned to try and do that as quickly as possible." |
| She previously told the BBC the union pay demands were "simply unaffordable". | She previously told the BBC the union pay demands were "simply unaffordable". |
| Solving industrial disputes amicably nearly always means both sides compromising. So what scope is there for reaching a settlement on teachers' pay? | Solving industrial disputes amicably nearly always means both sides compromising. So what scope is there for reaching a settlement on teachers' pay? |
| The gulf between the two sides is wide: a 10% pay claim and an offer worth between 5% and 6.85% for most. | The gulf between the two sides is wide: a 10% pay claim and an offer worth between 5% and 6.85% for most. |
| Unions are hopeful a new pay offer will be made later this week. | Unions are hopeful a new pay offer will be made later this week. |
| The question is how the unions may respond. | The question is how the unions may respond. |
| If the new offer is a significant improvement on the current one, they may call off next week's strikes as a token of goodwill and ask their members to vote on whether to accept it. | If the new offer is a significant improvement on the current one, they may call off next week's strikes as a token of goodwill and ask their members to vote on whether to accept it. |
| But if the new offer is disappointing and dismissed quickly, it could actually inflame the dispute. | But if the new offer is disappointing and dismissed quickly, it could actually inflame the dispute. |
| Mike Corbett, national Scotland official of the NASUWT union, said: "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. | Mike Corbett, national Scotland official of the NASUWT union, said: "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." | "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 had been getting "worse and worse" since 2010 and that was reflected in the recruitment and retention figures. | Mr Corbett said that historically teacher pay had been getting "worse and worse" since 2010 and that was reflected in the recruitment and retention figures. |
| The EIS said it was still hoping for fresh talks and a resolution before more strikes go ahead next week. | The EIS said it was still hoping for fresh talks and a resolution before more strikes go ahead next week. |
| Its general secretary Andrea Bradley said: "Only a significantly improved offer from the Scottish government and Cosla can bring an end to this dispute." | Its general secretary Andrea Bradley said: "Only a significantly improved offer from the Scottish government and Cosla can bring an end to this dispute." |
| The views of parents and carers | The views of parents and carers |
| Kelly Robertson's eldest daughter has trouble adjusting when her routine is changed | Kelly Robertson's eldest daughter has trouble adjusting when her routine is changed |
| Kelly Robertson, from Aberdeen, has two young daughters Georgia-Rose, 7, and Ellie-Jane, 5. | Kelly Robertson, from Aberdeen, has two young daughters Georgia-Rose, 7, and Ellie-Jane, 5. |
| Her eldest daughter needs set routines as she is on the autism spectrum so finds it difficult to adjust when the school shuts in the middle of the week. | Her eldest daughter needs set routines as she is on the autism spectrum so finds it difficult to adjust when the school shuts in the middle of the week. |
| "She needs to be at school Monday to Friday so for her to be off school in between the week, rather than a Friday or a Monday - a long weekend - it just totally knocks her," Kelly said. | "She needs to be at school Monday to Friday so for her to be off school in between the week, rather than a Friday or a Monday - a long weekend - it just totally knocks her," Kelly said. |
| She said she had kept Georgia-Rose off school on Monday rather than going in then being off again "otherwise her whole week would be up in arms". | She said she had kept Georgia-Rose off school on Monday rather than going in then being off again "otherwise her whole week would be up in arms". |
| "She gets really upset when she gets up in the morning and doesn't realise there's no school but its not a weekend so her dad's not home," Kelly said. "So that knocks her whole day off. That then upsets her little sister because she doesn't understand why there's no school." | "She gets really upset when she gets up in the morning and doesn't realise there's no school but its not a weekend so her dad's not home," Kelly said. "So that knocks her whole day off. That then upsets her little sister because she doesn't understand why there's no school." |
| Carer Janice James says she supports the teachers | Carer Janice James says she supports the teachers |
| Carer Janice James, from Edinburgh, told BBC Scotland: "As a carer it is a massive disruption because not only today with the primary schools but tomorrow with the high schools so it's got a massive knock-on effect for parents, carers and grandparents." | Carer Janice James, from Edinburgh, told BBC Scotland: "As a carer it is a massive disruption because not only today with the primary schools but tomorrow with the high schools so it's got a massive knock-on effect for parents, carers and grandparents." |
| However, she supports the strike. | However, she supports the strike. |
| "I think it's right that they're going out on strike and they should get what they're asking for," she said. | "I think it's right that they're going out on strike and they should get what they're asking for," she said. |
| Parent Russell Cobden said: "I can't say I agree with the strike but they deserve better pay." | Parent Russell Cobden said: "I can't say I agree with the strike but they deserve better pay." |
| And Laura Cogan, also a parent, said she completely supported the teachers and felt the government should be "pulling out all the stops" to resolve the dispute. | And Laura Cogan, also a parent, said she completely supported the teachers and felt the government should be "pulling out all the stops" to resolve the dispute. |
| Amanda Murray said the real-term value of teachers' pay had fallen hugely | Amanda Murray said the real-term value of teachers' pay had fallen hugely |
| Among those on the picket lines was Amanda Murray, an additional support needs teacher at Orchard Brae in Aberdeen. | Among those on the picket lines was Amanda Murray, an additional support needs teacher at Orchard Brae in Aberdeen. |
| "It's very frustrating that it's got to this stage because these pay discussions opened almost a year ago back in February," she said. | "It's very frustrating that it's got to this stage because these pay discussions opened almost a year ago back in February," she said. |
| "We're now in January 2023 and still waiting for our pay increase and in the meantime inflation has seen the real-term value of teachers wages decrease hugely. | "We're now in January 2023 and still waiting for our pay increase and in the meantime inflation has seen the real-term value of teachers wages decrease hugely. |
| "All we're asking is for our wages to be kept in line with inflation so we're not losing out." | "All we're asking is for our wages to be kept in line with inflation so we're not losing out." |
| She said the job was "exhausting" and that it would be nice to have their efforts reflected in their pay. | She said the job was "exhausting" and that it would be nice to have their efforts reflected in their pay. |
| Drivers have been beeping their horns in support of the striking teachers | Drivers have been beeping their horns in support of the striking teachers |
| 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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| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Teaching | Teaching |
| Trade Unions | Trade Unions |
| Scotland | |
| Scotland Education | Scotland Education |
| Strike action | Strike action |