Three quarters of schools could close for strikes later this month
Joint action from two unions will see almost two thousand schools affected
More than three quarters of schools in Scotland face closure later this month as two unions announce strike dates.
Over 20 local authorities would be affected by the action which would cover 1,868 schools.
Around 21,000 UNISON members will take part in a three day walk out between Tuesday 26 and Thursday 28 September.
Non-teaching members of the union including administrators, cleaners, caterers, classroom assistants and janitors are among those taking action.
Three quarters of schools affected
It is over ongoing disputes around pay, and comes as Unite the Union announces strikes of their own over the same dates, which will affect 11 local authorities.
The unions say their workers deserve “far more” than the “below inflation” 5% pay offer from employer body Cosla.
Unison Scotland's head of local government, Johanna Baxter, said: "Going on strike is always a last resort - our members want to be in schools supporting children not on picket lines outside them.
"But they have been left with no option.”
"Left with no option"
In March, Unison members rejected a pay deal from Cosla, but since then have not seen an improved offer, and in August the union voted to strike with mandates in 24 local authorities.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Cosla and the Scottish Government have been given warning after warning that strike action will be inevitable unless there is an improved pay offer.
"The entire blame for this situation is down to Cosla's ineptitude, and the Scottish Government's dithering.
"Unite's hard working council members deserve far more than 5%. They will have their union's total support in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions in local government."
21,000 Unison members to walk out
GMB Scotland members had planned to walk out in 10 council areas for two days next week but suspended that action to join the other unions in the co-ordinated strike later this month.
Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser in public services, said: "Our members are absolutely essential to the operation of schools and early years and the support children receive there.
"We have tried repeatedly to find a way forward with Cosla but until an improved offer is made, one that workers believe is acceptable, then disruptive action seems increasingly inevitable."
A Cosla spokesperson said: "There was a positive meeting of council leaders earlier this week and we hope to meet the trade union colleagues as soon as possible to discuss next steps."
Which areas are affected?
For UNISON, 24 local authorities are affected:
Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Angus Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Clackmannanshire Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Dundee City Council, East Dunbartonshire Council, East Renfrewshire Council, Fife Council, Glasgow City Council, Highland Council, Inverclyde Council, Moray Council, North Ayrshire Council, Orkney Islands Council, Perth & Kinross Council, Renfrewshire Council, Shetland Islands Council, South Ayrshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Stirling Council, and West Dunbartonshire Council.
For Unite, 11 areas will be affected, including: Clackmannanshire, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Fife, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and Orkney.
The union has mandated action in Argyll and Bute, but no strikes will take place there this time around.
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