SCOTTISH schools are facing their first strike action in almost a quarter of a century after the country's largest teaching union backed a day of action over changes to pensions.
Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, saying concerns over pensions had been exacerbated by a pay freeze and budget cuts.
Following the ballot, where more than 82% of members voted to strike on a 54% turnout, schools face possible closure during a one-day strike likely to be held on November 30 in line with other public sector unions across the UK.
The move comes after the Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland, which represents senior staff in primary schools, also voted for a day of strike action.
Following the decision, EIS leaders said concessions mooted by the UK Government earlier this week were not concrete enough to prevent industrial action.
Ronnie Smith, the EIS general secretary, said: "This 82% vote for strike action is the strongest indication so far that the patience of teachers and lecturers has been exhausted.
"Faced with a wide-ranging attack on their pensions, on top of a two-year pay freeze, rampant inflation and education budget cuts, our members are signalling that enough is enough.
"Teachers and lecturers are highly committed professionals who do not decide lightly to strike – it is more than two decades since the last national strike action.
"However, the pensions triple whammy of being compelled to pay more, work longer and get less has to be challenged."
Michael Russell, the Education Secretary, said he understood why teachers and headteachers were concerned over the changes to penisions, but stressed strike action was not the best way forward.
"It is with regret that I hear the results of the EIS ballot on industrial action," he said.
"While I agree with their campaign in response to the UK Government proposals for public sector pensions, I don't agree with their method. Strike action is not in the best interests of pupils or parents."
The Scottish Parent Teacher Council also stressed the day of action would be disruptive to parents. A spokeswoman said: "We are concerned, along with many parents, at the impact this action will have not only on their children's education, but also on family life.
"Parents are telling us they are not supportive of strike action. Parents all over Scotland are suffering in this economic downturn and feel teachers must be mindful of that reality. "
A spokesman for Cosla, which represents local authorities, said: "We have maintained a regular dialogue with the main teaching unions over their intentions to participate in the proposed day of industrial action and will continue to do so.
"The confirmation earlier today of overwhelming support for strike action by the EIS makes strike action much more likely, but there is a long way to go yet.
"It is too early to talk about schools closing and it is our firm hope that the UK Government will relent and amend their current proposals on pension reform.
"If the strike goes ahead then any decision to close schools will be taken on a council by council basis and will reflect the reality on the ground and health and safety considerations."
The threat of strikes comes after the Westminster Government offered unions the "chance of a lifetime" over public sector pensions earlier this week in a bid to reach a deal to avert action by millions of workers.
Читать полностью или написать коммент.. Про установку спутниковых тарелок в Московской областиhttp://tarelka-tv.ru/
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий