Dundee school closures: 6 key questions answered as strike is called off

All council run nurseries and schools in Dundee were scheduled to close for three days next week as staff prepared to strike over pay.

Unite union members in Dundee and Angus schools and nurseries – which includes administrative workers, cleaners, caterers, and classroom assistants – were due to strike on September 7, 8 and 9.

Unite members employed by Tayside Contracts, who provide catering and janitorial services to schools across Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross councils, were also to strike.

However Unite have now confirmed their members will no longer take part in industrial action as they consider the terms of a new pay offer put forward by Cosla.

But what does this mean for the proposed closure of schools in Dundee, as well as those in Perth and Kinross? And what would happen if strike action threatens to close schools again?

We answer six key questions.

1. What happens now the strike is called off?

Dundee City Council previously said if the strike were to be called off they would announce any changes to the closure arrangements through their website and social media channels.

In June, a planned strike by Dundee teachers was called off the night before. As a result, secondary schools in the city – which were meant be closed – remained opened.

The local authority took to social media to alert parents that classes would run as normal following the decision.

2. What would’ve happened with free school meals and after-school activities?

Arrangements were being made for free school meal payments to be made directly to qualifying households using the information held by schools regarding those currently eligible.

However, there would have been no after-school activities as the buildings would’ve been closed for all activity over the 3 days.

3. Would pupils have been home learning if schools were closed?

Yes. Dundee City Council confirmed online learning would have been provided for pupils, with paper learning packs being made available if needed.

Your child’s school would have written to you directly to outline arrangements put in place for learning activities on the strike days.

4. Would schools have remained open for children of key workers?

No. Due to the safety reasons, community hubs similar to those introduced during lockdown would not run during the strike action.

Direct support would have continued for pupils who are identified by the children and families service as vulnerable.

5. What was happening in Angus, Perth and Kinross and why was Fife not affected?

School staff in Angus were also scheduled to strike next week, however Angus Council had expected all schools to remain open.

They local authority previously said a small number of schools – those with members of Unite – were more likely than others to be affected by the industrial action.

Perth and Kinross Council had also confirmed that Perth Academy and Fairview School would be shut from Wednesday September 7 to Friday September 9.

All other schools in the region were scheduled to open as normal.

School staff in Fife did not vote to strike.

6. Will this be the last proposed strike action?

This is unclear. Members of Scotland’s largest teaching union, the EIS, are to vote on possible strike action.

Its executive committee voted today to open a consultative ballot, recommending teachers reject the current 5% pay offer from local authority employers.

The ballot closes on September 16.