Teachers announce further strike action in January
The NASUWT is the latest union to announce more dates for walk-outs
Last updated 19th Dec 2022
Teachers across Scotland have announced two further days of strike action in January, in its ongoing dispute over teachers’ pay.
Members of the NASUWT union will walk out on the 10th and 11th of January.
It follows plans from members of the EIS, Scotland's largest teaching union, to stage walk-outs in primary schools on the 10th of January, followed by staff at secondary schools on the 11th.
The NASUWT is calling for a fully funded 12% pay award for the next academic year.
They claim the current pay offer tabled by ministers and COSLA amounts to a further real-terms pay cut, following over a decade of pay freezes and below-inflation pay awards.
Members say this has left teachers in Scotland almost ÂŁ50,000 worse off as a result of their pay failing to keep pace with inflation.
Staff 'left with no choice'
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary said: “We have been left with no choice but to call two further days of national strike action as a result of the failure of ministers and COSLA to offer an improved pay offer.
“At a time when teachers are facing the biggest squeeze on their finances in a generation, offering what amounts to a further real-terms pay cut is simply not good enough.
“Our members are not prepared to stand by while their pay dwindles and their living costs rise.
“The Government and employers will need to bring forward a substantially improved pay offer if they want to see an end to this dispute.”
Mike Corbett, NASUWT National Official Scotland, said: “Members are determined to continue with our campaign of industrial action and will stand together with teachers in other unions to send a united message to the Scottish Government and employers that they deserve a fair pay settlement.
“Teaching is a critical job and one that is uniquely and increasingly challenging. Teachers just want pay levels that reflect the years of training they have undertaken, the high level of workload involved and the skill involved in meeting the needs of all pupils.
“They want salaries that enable experienced teachers to remain in the profession long-term and which will incentivise new entrants to join teaching.
“They want pay levels that demonstrate they are respected and valued as the key workers they are.”