Scots schools face second strike threat

A SECOND union representing teachers is to begin balloting for strike action in protest at “relentless attacks” on their pay and conditions.

The NASUWT said it was set to start balloting members across the UK for both a full walkout and industrial action short of a strike.

Last month, the EIS, Scotland’s largest teaching union, said it would ballot its members over action, due to changes being made to their pensions.

Chris Keates, the NASUWT general secretary, said: “Teachers have faced 15 months of relentless attacks on their pay, pensions, working conditions and job security. Their ability to focus on teaching and learning is being seriously compromised as the Scottish Government and Cosla [Convention of Scottish Local Authorities] ride roughshod over regulations and contractual provisions which were introduced to support teachers to work effectively to raise standards.”

Education secretary Michael Russell said: “The McCormac Review [of teachers’ pay and conditions] is not due to be published until next week, and therefore we hope that the confusion in the NASUWT statement can be clarified, as threats of strike action are not in the best interests of pupils and parents.”