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Teachers start three days of targeted strikes Teachers' union defends three days of targeted strikes
(about 13 hours later)
Targeted strike action is taking place in the row over teachers' pay. Strike action has targeted the constituency of Education Secertary Shirley-Anne Somerville
The Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS) is staging a three-day walk out in the constituencies of politicians close to the dispute. Scotland's largest teachers' union has defended its decision to stage three days of targeted strike action.
Schools are affected in areas represented by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, her deputy John Swinney, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville and Greens MSP Ross Greer. The Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS) members have taken action at schools in the constituencies of politicians close to the pay dispute.
Ms Somerville said she was focused on resolving the dispute. These include areas represented by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her deputy John Swinney.
Mr Swinney, whose own son is affected by the strike action, said it was "inequitable and indefensible".
But EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said the union, which rejected a new pay offer last week, had been "left with no other option but to escalate action to intensify the pressure on key decision-makers".
Scotland's largest teaching union rejects latest pay offerScotland's largest teaching union rejects latest pay offer
She has also written an open letter to pupils that outlines the support available to them during industrial action. She told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that the targeted action was designed to "bring a swifter resolution to the dispute".
The union rejected a new pay offer last week. Ms Bradley said the action was "very much focused on the politicians"and there was "no intent to target more or less affluent areas".
Teachers want a 10% pay increase which ministers say is unaffordable. She added: "It is very clear the targets for this swathe of action are decision-makers who continue to withhold the very modest resource that would bring forth a settlement to this dispute."
The latest offer included a 6% pay rise in the current year and a further 5.5% in the new financial year. Mr Swinney said he was "very sorry" for the families and young people affected by the latest strike action.
The Scottish government had found £156m to fund the two-year deal. "I think it is completely inequitable and indefensible," he said.
Teachers are calling for a 10% raise "I talk to lots of teachers and many of them can't understand why that offer has not been put to them."
While the EIS turned down the offer, the NASUWT and the SSTA unions said they would consider it. He said that if they accepted the deal, there would be an 11.5% increase in their pay packets by the end of April.
The EIS said the 6% raise for 2022-23 was insufficient, as inflation is currently at 10.5%. "I think that requires reconsideration because teachers need to be given the chance to vote on that," he added.
From 22 to 24 February, the EIS said its members would strike in the constituencies of: "The government and local authorities have moved. We have put more money on the table and tried to resolve the issue.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow Southside) "The fact it hasn't been put to members means it is difficult to hear any justification [for the action]."
Deputy First Minister John Swinney (Perthshire North)
Cabinet Secretary for Education Shirley-Anne Somerville (Dunfermline)
Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland (action targeted in East Dunbartonshire)
A further three days of action from 7 March will target the four MSPs' constituencies and the ward of Dumfries and Galloway councillor Katie Hagmann.
She is resources spokesperson for council umbrella body Cosla but as councillor her ward is Mid Galloway and Wigtown West.
These targeted schools face 10 days of strikes in total over the next two months if the dispute is not settled.
Schools in the rest of the country face four days of action.
There are two days of national strike action on 28 February and 1 March.
A further 20 days of regional rolling strikes will also go ahead across all local authority areas between 13 March and 21 April with each school hit twice.
'Particularly concerning'
EIS members have already taken part in three days of strike action - one national strike, one day of rolling regional action and a second national strike over two days made up of primary one day, secondary the next.
Some schools have also been affected by a separate day of action by the SSTA and NASUWT.
Ahead of the action, Ms Somerville said: "I want to reassure pupils, parents and carers that my focus remains on resolving this pay dispute, delivering a fair and sustainable settlement for teachers and ending disruption in our schools.
"The threat of further disruption in the run up to the exam diet is particularly concerning.
"I have written to local authorities asking them to consider how secondary schools can remain open for pupils preparing for exams, and this is being reviewed by councils on a school by school basis."
She added the pay talks were ongoing and repeated her call for trade unions to suspend industrial action during the discussions.
The latest teachers' strikes mark a significant change in tactics.The latest teachers' strikes mark a significant change in tactics.
Until now, industrial action by the EIS had targeted all schools across Scotland equally. The strikes were either national strikes or affected each school once over the course of a rolling programme. Targeting schools in five areas echoes the long-running teachers' dispute of the mid 1980s, when there was additional action in the constituencies of some Conservative government ministers.
If the dispute is not resolved, pupils across Scotland are likely to face four days off school between next week and the middle of April.
But students in the five targeted areas will face an additional six days of strikes.
The move echoes a tactic adopted during the long-running teachers' dispute of the mid 1980s.
Then schools in the constituencies of some Conservative government ministers were targeted for additional strike action.
But there is a significant practical difference this time.But there is a significant practical difference this time.
In the 1980s, the targeted schools were often, though not always, in relatively prosperous areas with few children who could be considered disadvantaged.In the 1980s, the targeted schools were often, though not always, in relatively prosperous areas with few children who could be considered disadvantaged.
But some of the schools affected this time serve areas which are not affluent.But some of the schools affected this time serve areas which are not affluent.
It should be stressed that it is not the intention of the union to target individual children or families - it is about putting pressure on politicians. All through the dispute teachers have emphasised that they want to be at work - not on picket lines. Indeed teachers at schools serving disadvantaged areas are often keenly aware of how their work can make a difference to a young person's chances in life and passionate about their work. It should be stressed that it is not the intention of the union to target individual children or families - it is about putting pressure on politicians.
But inevitably the new tactic is something of a gamble.But inevitably the new tactic is something of a gamble.
Is there a risk that targeting could prove counterproductive and alienate some parents? Or will it add to the pressure on senior politicians to improve the pay offer and lead to a resolution?Is there a risk that targeting could prove counterproductive and alienate some parents? Or will it add to the pressure on senior politicians to improve the pay offer and lead to a resolution?
The latest offer included a 6% pay rise for the current year - backdated to April 2022 for teachers who earn up to £80,000 - and a further 5.5% in the new financial year.
The EIS is seeking a 10% pay increase, which ministers say is unaffordable.
While the EIS turned down the offer, the NASUWT and the SSTA unions said they would consider it.
The schools targeted in the latest action face 10 days of strikes over the next two months if the dispute is not settled.
Two days of national strike action are planned on 28 February and 1 March.
This will be followed by a further 20 days of regional rolling strikes across Scotland between 13 March and 21 April, with each school being hit twice.
Schools in Nicola Sturgeon's constituency were also targeted
The targeted strikes are taking place between Wednesday and Friday this week in the constituencies of Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow Southside), John Swinney (Perthshire North), Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville (Dunfermline) and the East Dunbartonshire Council area of Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer's West Scotland region.
A further three days of action from 7 March will target these constituencies and the ward of Dumfries and Galloway councillor Katie Hagmann, the resources spokesperson for council umbrella body Cosla.
Ms Somerville said she was focused on resolving the dispute and has written an open letter to pupils outlining the support available during industrial action.
She said the threat of further disruption in the run-up to exams was "particularly concerning".
She has written to local authorities asking them to consider how secondary schools can remain open for pupils preparing for exams, which is "being reviewed by councils on a school by school basis."
Leanne McGuire, chair of the Glasgow City Parents Group, said they could not support the latest targeted action as it was "unfair" to pupils and families in those areas.
"The area of Nicola Sturgeon's constituency (Glasgow Southside) contains certain high-deprivation areas," she told Good Morning Scotland.
"Those pupils are already at a disadvantage when it comes to education, and we just feel these additional six days put them at further disadvantage, compared to peers on the opposite side of the city."
Related TopicsRelated Topics
TeachingTeaching
Perthshire NorthPerthshire North
Glasgow SouthsideGlasgow Southside
Scotland EducationScotland Education
DunfermlineDunfermline
Strike actionStrike action