More strike action to take place in schools across Scotland
Almost 90% of UNISON members have voted to reject the latest pay offer from the government.
Last updated 16th Oct 2023
Cleaners, janitors and support staff in schools across Scotland are going to strike once again after rejecting the latest pay offer from the government.
Nearly 9 in 10 members turned down the deal and dates will be announced in the coming days.
The local authority areas affected are as follows:
Aberdeenshire Council
Highland Council
Orkney Islands Council
Shetland Islands Council
The City of Edinburgh Council
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Fife Council
South Lanarkshire Council
Aberdeen City Council
Glasgow City Council
Clackmannanshire Council
Moray Council
South Ayrshire Council
Stirling Council
West Dunbartonshire Council
North Ayrshire Council
East Dunbartonshire Council
Dundee City Council
Inverclyde Council
Angus Council
East Renfrewshire Council
Perth & Kinross Council
Dumfries & Galloway Council
Renfrewshire Council.
UNISON’s Scottish secretary Lilian Macer said: “No one takes industrial action lightly.
"It’s a very difficult decision for anyone, but as much as this is about pay, it’s also about standing up for local services.
“The school staff taking part in strike action support children in school every day of the year, and many are parents with school-age children too.
"Workers are taking action because they want children to be educated in well-resourced, well-staffed schools.
"They want to start trying to reverse years of cuts and under-investment in the workforce and services."
Chair of UNISON Scotland’s local government committee Mark Ferguson said: “UNISON’s local government members have voted overwhelmingly to reject this offer, which shows their resolve to fight for the fair pay they deserve.
“I’m a parent myself, so I understand the disruption these strikes cause. But if wages don’t rise, school staff will leave for other jobs beyond education that pay significantly more an hour. That would be a disaster and would help no one.
“The current offer amounts to a real-terms pay cut and adds further stress to a dedicated workforce who are already suffering from the cost-of-living crisis.
"Cosla and the Scottish government need to give school staff a decent pay rise, fund any increase properly and commit to implementing a pay of £15 per hour for all local government workers.”
Councillor Katie Hagman, COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson said: “Obviously this ballot result from UNISON is very disappointing given the strength of the offer on the table. I would like to make the following points:
“Firstly, Scotland’s Council Leaders value their workforce.
“Secondly, we have listened to our Trade Unions, met all their asks and worked with Scottish Government to put an incredibly strong half a billion pound pay package on the table – which we hope the other trade union members will vote to accept.
“Finally, offering almost 10 per cent or a £2006 pay increase for our lowest paid workers, which the unions specifically asked for, and £1929 or at least 5.5% for everyone else is as far as Local Government can go without impacting service and jobs.”