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Home News Scotland

In pictures: Secondary school teachers take to the pickets in nationwide strike action

By Ellie Milne

Secondary school teachers across the north and north-east are taking part in a day of nationwide strike action.

Teachers have formed picket lines across the country due to an ongoing dispute over pay.

It is the second strike day in a row with primary teachers lining up outside school buildings yesterday.

Members of the major teaching union EIS – and their dogs – have donned “Pay Attention” vests and gathered with colourful placards and flags.

NASUWT, Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) and the Association of Headteachers and Deputes (AHDS) unions also have members on strike today.

Teachers from Milnes High School in Fochabers this morning. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson.

The unions previously rejected a pay rise offer of 5%, which they said was not in line with the cost-of-living crisis.

EIS, which represents about 80% of the country’s teachers and lecturers, is requesting a 10% pay rise for members.

Andrea Bradley, general secretary for EIS, said: “Teachers really do not want to be out in the streets – in the cold, wind and rain – to seek a fair pay increase, but have been forced into this position by the inaction of the Scottish Government and COSLA on teacher pay.

“After dragging the negotiating process out for the best part of a year, the Scottish Government and COSLA only have themselves to blame for the situation we find ourselves in today.”

More strikes to come

If the dispute is not resolved, teachers will go on to strike for 16 consecutive school days later this month and into February.

From January 16, teachers from two local authorities will take strike action each day.

Ms Bradley added: “For six months, we have seen little or no progress in negotiations, with the Scottish Government and COSLA only reheating an old, already rejected offer, and attempting to sell it to teachers as new, fresh and appealing.

“Scotland’s teachers haven’t been fooled by the spin, and are now taking the only option that remains – the withdrawal of their labour – to seek a better, fairer offer on pay.

“It is only within the last week, with the second round of strike action looming, that we have seen some small signs that the Scottish Government and COSLA are prepared to work towards making an improved offer.

“Should a new, improved and credible, offer arrive in sufficient time, this will be considered by the EIS and our sister teacher unions in the hope that further strike action, scheduled to commence next week for 16 consecutive days, may yet be avoided.”

Photos from the picket lines

Union members formed a picket line in Fochabers on Wednesday. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson.
SSTA and EIS members gathered outside Portlethen Academy. Image: Chris Sumner/DC Thomson.

Official picket line supervisor at Portlethen Academy. Image: Chris Sumner/DC Thomson.
EIS representative Murdo MacLeod, PE teacher Laura Keay, physics teacher Michael de Bruin,<br />music teacher Robert Ross, PE teacher Kazya Stevens, RMPS teacher Henry Archibald, English teacher Paul Jenkins and geography teacher Brian Donlin at Milnes High School. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson.

The picket line outside Portlethen Academy on Wednesday morning. Image: DC Thomson.

Some teachers brought their dogs along to the picket lines. Image: Chris Sumner/DC Thomson.
Strikers at Milnes High School held signs stating they are “overworked and underpaid”. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson.

Milnes High School PE teacher Laura Keay and English teacher Paul Jenkins. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson.

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