Schools in Dundee, Angus and Perthshire closed as teacher strike takes place

By Sheanne Mulholland

November 24 2022, 7:32am

Teachers in Dundee, including some at Baldragon Academy and Downfield Primary, are on strike as part of EIS industrial action across Scotland.

Schools in Dundee, Angus and Perthshire are closed today as thousands of teachers across the country take to picket lines.

Teachers armed with placards are taking a stand against ‘real term pay cuts’ and demanding a 10% rise.

Almost 40,000 teachers are taking part in the national strike organised by Scotland’s largest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS).

Earlier this week the union refused an offer of 6.85% from the Scottish Government and Cosla, with 5% for top earners.

Teacher strike in Dundee

In Dundee more than 1,300 teachers are striking, some standing outside their own schools with many meeting later at a mass rally at the Queen’s Hotel in Dundee.

Teachers on the picket line at Grove Academy in Dundee on the first day of strike action. Image: Alan Richardson / Pix-AR.co.uk.

Those standing outside Grove Academy said passing members of the public had been tooting their horns and waving in support.

Malcom MacKay, an English teacher at the Broughty Ferry school, said: “Today is a sign of the solidarity our colleagues share to the campaign.

“Teachers don’t want to be on strike but we have to. It’s not what we want anymore, it’s what we need, and we need a fair pay offer.”

He added that teachers who live further afield were encouraged to join picket lines local to them to save on fuel costs and teachers who belonged to other unions would be supported when their day of strike comes.

David Baxter, EIS Dundee rep, said: “The reaction from members (to the pay offer) is one of disgust.

“It undervalues us and speaks volumes of the Scottish Government’s ability to negotiate and keep their workforce on their side.

Teachers in Dundee joined those across Scotland in an EIS strike.

“Our members were already prepared to strike, but the offer galvanised more members to stand on the picket line and come to the rally – it p***** everyone off.”

The Association of Head Teachers and Deputes Scotland (AHDS) union is also taking part in the strike.

‘A fair offer’

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the latest offer was “fair and progressive” and mirrored those accepted by other local government workers.

Teachers across Dundee and Scotland joined in a national day of strike action.

She said: “It is simply unaffordable to have a 10% increase which unions are asking for within the fixed budget which the Scottish Government is working in.

“I recognise the strength of feeling within the unions but they also need to recognise that the Scottish Government budget is fixed and is already committed.

“Any new money for teacher pay would have to come from elsewhere in education.”

Angus and Perthshire

Mike Callaghan, a physics teacher at Monifieth High School and Angus EIS rep, says a decline in real terms pay over the years has affected his personal budget.

He said: “I definitely do not have the spending power I did six or seven years ago.

Striking teachers and supporters demonstrated outside Perth and Kinross Council headquarters. Image: supplied.

“I don’t even run a car now, I walk to school because I have three kids and I can’t afford the payments on a car.

“We understand it’s not just teachers and if we could fight for everyone, we would.”

Strike day at Robert Douglas Memorial Primary School, Scone. Image: supplied EIS Perth.

Audrey McAuley, a science teacher at St John’s Academy in Perth and Perth EIS rep, said: “This offer is an attempt to divide Scotland’s teachers and it will not succeed in doing so.”

It was an early start for striking teachers at Perth Academy. Image: supplied by EIS Perth.

Placards on show at Moncreiffe Primary School, Perth. Image: supplied by EIS Perth.

Crieff High School picket line. Image: supplied by EIS Perth.

More school strikes to follow

The EIS has announced two further strike dates if resolution cannot be made on January 10 and 11.

Teachers in Dundee are on strike as part of EIS industrial action across Scotland.

Two other teaching unions, the NASUWT and SSTA, have also announced their members will strike on December 7 and 8.

Mike Corbett, national official for NASUWT Scotland, said: “Our members are angry, demoralised and have had enough.”

“They are sick of being expected to put up with declining wages while working ever harder to meet the increasing challenges being faced in our schools.”

Industrial action at universities

Staff at universities across Scotland are also taking industrial action today, including at Abertay and Dundee universities.

The University and College Union is calling for a “fair pay rise” and a reversal of cuts to pensions and benefits which they say will see the average member lose 35% from their retirement income.

Staff at Dundee University protest over pay outside the Tower Block on Perth Road. Image: Gareth Jennings/DC Thomson.

The biggest disruption to students is likely to be felt at Dundee University, where support staff who are members of Unite will be on strike alongside academic staff.

A Dundee University spokesman said: “We expect the majority of classes and University activity to be operating during the strike and we will work to mitigate any impact on our students.”