Teachers on second day of strike action
The walkout is over a pay offer unions say is "divisive and inadequate".
Last updated 9th Dec 2022
Teachers across Scotland will hold a second day of strike action this week in a dispute over pay.
NASUWT Scotland and the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) have downed tools over what they say was a "divisive and inadequate" pay offer.
Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) members working in schools went on strike last week, closing the majority of schools across Scotland.
Most secondary schools affected are partially closed this week, with many asking senior pupils to attend as normal.
The SSTA says the Scottish Government has failed to make contact since November 22 to avert further strikes this week.
The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers offered a 5% pay award which was "unanimously rejected" by teaching unions.
The NASUWT is calling for 12% pay increase in 2022/23 and say a typical teacher in Scotland is almost £50,000 worse off as a result of pay failing to keep pace with inflation since 2010, a loss which will be further compounded by the below-inflation pay offer.
What local authority areas are affected on Thursday?
Aberdeen City Council: Secondary schools closed to S1-S4 pupils
Angus Council: Closures affecting individual schools.
Dundee City Council: Secondary schools to be open to S5 and S6 pupils. Some schools will also open to S4 pupils.
Edinburgh City Council: Some secondary schools will be closed or partially closed.
Fife: All secondary schools closed to pupils.
Midlothian: All secondary schools closed.
Moray Council: All secondary schools closed to S1-S3 pupils.
Perth and Kinross Council: Majority of schools closed to S1-S4 pupils, while its business as usual for those in S5 and S6.
The strike is in "no-one's interest"
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has said that the strike is in "no-one's interest" and the Scottish Government remains committed to finding a fair settlement for Scottish teachers.
She added: "It is very disappointing that the teaching unions have rejected the latest offer, the fourth which has been put to unions, which mirrors the deal accepted by other local government workers.
"The request for a 10% increase for all teachers - even the highest paid - is not affordable within the Scottish Government's fixed budget.
The EIS union has announced 16 more dates for strike action next year.