One sentence summary – Unison strikes are set to take place in 24 areas across Scotland due to an ongoing dispute over a pay offer for non-teaching school staff, with Unison determined to push for significant improvements from councils, while Unite and GMB unions have decided to suspend their strikes in certain regions pending member consultations, leading to widespread closures in the majority of schools within the affected council areas, although some secondary schools are expected to remain open for senior pupils, and discussions between Unison and Cosla may provide insights into resolving the dispute.
At a glance
- Unison strikes are set to take place in 24 areas across Scotland.
- The strikes are due to an ongoing dispute over a pay offer for non-teaching school staff.
- Unite and GMB unions have decided to suspend their strikes in certain regions pending member consultations.
- The strikes will lead to widespread closures in the majority of schools within the affected council areas.
- Unison is open to discussions on improving the pay offer, but the strikes will proceed unless a substantial improvement is made.
The details
Unison strikes are set to take place in 24 areas across Scotland.
This is due to an ongoing dispute over a pay offer for non-teaching school staff.
Despite last-ditch talks, Unison remains determined to push for significant improvements from councils.
This indicates that strikes are unlikely to be called off.
Meanwhile, Unite and GMB unions have decided to suspend their strikes in certain regions.
This suspension is pending member consultations.
The strikes are scheduled to occur in the majority of schools within the 24 affected council areas.
This will lead to widespread closures.
However, some secondary schools are expected to remain open for senior pupils.
Notably, strikes will not take place in Falkirk or North Lanarkshire.
Unite and GMB members, who have suspended their strikes in certain areas, may face the possibility of crossing Unison picket lines in other regions.
While Unison is open to discussions on improving the pay offer, it is evident that the strikes will proceed unless a substantial improvement is made.
The union is currently engaging in talks with the local authority body Cosla regarding national terms and conditions.
Cosla had been given a deadline to present an improved pay offer in an effort to avert strikes.
The Scottish government has provided £80 million in funding for a new deal.
However, Unison rejected the proposal, leading to the strikes in the 24 areas.
The impact of the strikes is expected to vary across the affected council areas.
Closures and disruptions are anticipated.
However, the overall impact is likely to be less severe than if GMB and Unite were also striking.
The National Parent Forum of Scotland recognizes the right to fair pay.
However, they expressed disappointment over the breakdown in talks.
While Unison strikes proceed, there is still room for negotiations and potential improvements to the pay offer.
As the situation develops, further discussions between Unison and Cosla may provide insights into resolving the dispute.
Article X-ray
Here are all the sources used to create this article:
A group of people standing together, holding signs and peacefully protesting.
This section links each of the article’s facts back to its original source.
If you have any suspicions that false information is present in the article, you can use this section to investigate where it came from.
| bbc.co.uk |
|---|
| – Unison strikes in Scotland are going ahead despite last-ditch talks – Unite and GMB unions are suspending their strikes while members are consulted – Strikes will not occur in Falkirk or North Lanarkshire – Unite and GMB members may have to cross Unison picket lines in other areas – |
| The dispute is over a pay offer for non-teaching school staff – Unison is meeting with local authority body Cosla for talks over national terms and conditions – Unison remains open to discussions on improving the pay offer but strikes are unlikely to be called off – Unison wants significant improvement from councils to avert strikes – Majority of schools in the 24 areas are expected to close during the strike – Some secondary schools will open to senior pupils – Cosla was given a deadline to make an improved pay offer – Scottish government provided £80m in funding for a new deal – Unison rejected the new pay offer and will strike in 24 areas – GMB called off strikes in 10 areas, Unite called off strikes in 11 areas – National Parent Forum of Scotland recognizes the right to fair pay but is disappointed that talks broke down – Impact of the strike will vary across the affected council areas – Overall impact will be less than if GMB and Unite were also striking – Impact will be less than previous teachers’ strikes |
English 
Portuguese 
Turkish 
Chinese 
German