West Dunbartonshire teachers back package in senior posts dispute

Secondary teachers in West Dunbartonshire have voted to accept a recommended package in a long-running dispute over plans to cut senior posts.

Published 6th May 2016

Secondary teachers in West Dunbartonshire have voted to accept a recommended package in a long-running dispute over plans to cut senior posts.

In a ballot conducted this week by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), members voted 86.6% to 11.4% to agree the deal reached presents the basis for negotiating a final settlement.

It follows almost 13 weeks of industrial action, including six days of strikes.

The row centred on a management restructure of secondary schools, including cuts to principal teacher posts.

The settlement now means the new curricular model will be based on subject principal teachers, rather than seeing them removed, the EIS said.

Larry Flanagan, the union's general secretary, said, “This has been a hard-won result, with EIS members in West Dunbartonshire showing a level of determination that sets a benchmark for resisting austerity-driven cuts.

“We are grateful for the support we received from many parents and from other trade unions.

“Whilst the fine detail of the agreement requires some further work, our members will be keen to refocus on continuing to provide a high-quality education service to the young people of West Dunbartonshire and their families.”