Lanarkshire teachers to strike over 'blue water' scandal

More than 12 thousand people have now signed a petition calling for an independent investigation into two schools at the centre of a contamination scare.

Teachers with the NASUWT Union have already committed to walking out for a week long strike later this month - after it emerged earlier this year there was high levels of copper in the drinking water - turning it blue.

The £44m campus opened seven years ago on a site of a former landfill.

Concerns have been raised about lead and other chemicals in the ground, and it's understood three teachers have reported being seriously ill.

And now the EIS Union has revealed it's pursuing legal action for workers at the campus which Buchanan and St Ambrose High share.

In response to the recent health and safety concerns raised at Buchanan and St Ambrose High Schools, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “EIS members at St Ambrose and Buchanan High have raised significant and legitimate health and safety concerns, which the Institute has being pursuing on their behalf. In such a scenario, employers should act swiftly and positively by conducting tests to allay their fears and they should be open with the sharing of information and reports with health and safety representatives from trade unions.

The union will meet today to discuss it's next steps.

“Unfortunately, in this instance, North Lanarkshire Council’s response has been poor - it's too little too late"

Mr Flanagan added: We had to resort to making Freedom of Information requests to gain access to health and safety information and reports which should have been readily provided under the provisions of the Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations of 1977. This only served to generate suspicion and mistrust.”

The EIS is already actively pursuing legal action on behalf of some members.

We have also engaged the services of an external expert company which specialises on reports on occupational hygiene and monitoring.

“We are very clear that North Lanarkshire Council remains liable for ensuring the safety, health and wellbeing of both pupils and staff in their buildings and for taking whatever steps are necessary to provide reassurance such as access to health monitoring.

“The EIS is willing to engage in constructive dialogue with North Lanarkshire Council as to how this reassurance can be provided but we would underline that the safety of pupils and staff is a top priority.

Teachers with the NASUWT Union have already committed to walking out for a week long strike later this month - after it emerged earlier this year there was high levels of copper in the drinking water - turning it blue.

They want all staff and pupils to be given a full health check and for an independent investigation to be carried out.

The £44m campus opened seven years ago on a site of a former landfill.

A spokesperson for the union said: "Whilst the NASUWT is in dispute over the situation at the school we have taken the unprecedented step of removing our members from the school site because of the serious health and safety concerns . The failure of the employer to act to address these concerns is unacceptable and our legal advisors are also taking appropriate action.

"No stone should be left unturned when the health of staff and pupils is at risk.

"The NASUWT should not be in a position where we have to take such action, but if an employer fails to act appropriately we will."

North Lanarkshire Council says the school is safe and action has been taken to address the issue of the blue water.

A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Council said: "Specialist doctors from the public health department of NHS Lanarkshire have confirmed that no incidence of cancer is linked to the schools. They have also confirmed that no other serious illness is connected to the schools or the site on which they are built.

"The council will liaise directly with trade unions on matters of concern to staff. All the facts demonstrate that the schools and the site on which they are built is safe."