Pupils' holidays extended as staff stage 24-hour walkout

Published on Tuesday 19 August 2008 13:46

THOUSANDS of pupils will get an extra day added to their summer holidays as 33 schools in Edinburgh are hit by strike action.

A total of 24 primaries, three secondaries and six special schools will all remain closed tomorrow as clerical and janitorial staff take part in the 24-hour walkout.

A further 15 schools will only be open to certain year groups.

School lunches will also be affected by tomorrow's industrial action, with just 16 of the city's primary, secondary and special schools offering a meal to pupils.

Youngsters at all other schools will have to take a packed lunch.

Services provided by lollipop men and women could also be affected by the strike.

In Midlothian, only ten schools will be open to pupils tomorrow, with all nurseries in the area closed.

All schools in West Lothian will be open tomorrow, except nursery schools and special schools and there will be no school meals.

Meals on Wheels and lunch clubs in Midlothian will also be cancelled on Wednesday.

Around 200,000 public service workers across Scotland are expected to take part in tomorrow's walkout, disrupting a number of council services.

Libraries, museums, art galleries and social work offices will be closed, while the disruption will also pour out onto the street with many bins being left uncollected.

Scottish members of Unison, Unite and GMB all voted in favour of industrial action in protest against the offer of a 2.5 per cent pay rise each year for three years.

Jimmy Farrelly, Unite regional official said: "Inflation levels are spiralling with food, petrol and utility bills going through the roof. People are already struggling to keep on top of mortgage repayments and rent rises but this pay offer will see our members suffer a huge cut in their living standards."

Councillor Gordon Mackenzie today said the council would do its best to maintain services.

He said: "There will definitely be some disruption to services but we will try to make sure that we preserve lifeline services for the people of Edinburgh.

"We have contingency arrangements in place and will continue to gather information about what is likely to happen on the day.

"The fact that there is a strike at all is very disappointing.

"Everyone is aware of the difficult economic situation generally, but we have to hope that there is a realistic and fair outcome from negotiations between COSLA and the unions."

Last year, Unison members in Edinburgh staged a one-day strike over service cuts, which affected 122 schools, nurseries and community centres.

&#149 In yesterday's Evening News, it was wrongly stated that Edinburgh's gyms and swimming pools will be closed by strike action this week.

Edinburgh Leisure facilities and services will operate as usual tomorrow, except at Queensferry High School, which will close at 5.30pm. We apologise for the error.

Schools closed to all pupils:

Balgreen Primary School

Canal View Primary School

Carrick Knowe Primary School

Corstorphine Primary School

Craigentinny Primary School

Craiglockhart Primary School

Cramond Primary School

Currie Primary School

Dalmeny Primary School

Dalry Primary School

Duddingston Primary School

East Craigs Primary School

Echline Primary School

Gilmerton Primary School

Leith Walk Primary School

Longstone Primary School

Parson's Green Primary School

Preston Street Primary School

Roseburn Primary School

Royal Mile Primary School

Sighthill Primary School

St John's RC

Stenhouse Primary School

Towerbank Primary School

Balerno Community Secondary School

Tynecastle High Secondary School

Wester Hailes Education Centre

Gorgie Mills Special School

Kaimes Special School

Panmure St Anne's Special School

Pilrig Park Special School

Rowanfield Special School

St Crispin's Special School

The following schools will only be open for the following year groups:

St Ninian's RC Primary Primary 1 only

Boroughmuir High School Open to S4, S5, S6

Broughton High School Open to S5/6

Craigmount High School Open to S5/S6

Craigroyston Community High Open to S3 to S6