Schools in the constituency of First Minister John Swinney are set to be closed this week as a result of ongoing strike action by members of the trade union Unison. The action was taken after workers in non-teaching roles in schools rejected a pay offer from the local authority body Cosla.
Perth and Kinross Council announced that all primary schools, nurseries, intensive support settings, and two secondary schools will be closed on Monday. This decision has caused a stir as it is the only area in Scotland being targeted by strikes, leaving schools in other constituencies open.
The First Minister himself has expressed his disapproval of the strikes, calling them “unacceptable” and claiming that there is “no justification” for singling out his constituency in this way.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether it is fair to solely target the First Minister’s constituency in this dispute. Is it right to disrupt the education of children in this area to make a point about pay discrepancies?
Unison’s local government committee chairwoman in Scotland, Colette Hunter, highlighted the disparity in pay rises across different sectors. While teachers received a 4.6% increase, NHS staff saw a 5.5% rise, MSPs received 6.7%, and some councillors enjoyed a significant 13.8% pay hike. In contrast, council staff feel they are being left behind once again and are pushing for the Scottish Government to address this issue.
The council has mentioned that schools may reopen later in the week, but the situation remains uncertain and could change on a day-to-day basis. It is clear that both sides are standing firm in their positions, with no immediate resolution in sight.
As the strikes continue to impact the local community, it is important for all parties involved to consider the implications of their actions. The education and well-being of children should always be a top priority, and finding a solution that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders is essential for moving forward. Only through open communication and a willingness to compromise can a resolution be reached that benefits everyone involved.
