Exclusive:School strike dates announced for six Scottish councils
The Scotsman understands six local authorities areas will be targeted if a first wave of teachers strikes go ahead
Scotland’s largest teaching union is expected to target six local authority areas in strike action later this month.
The Scotsman understands Dundee, Perth and Kinross, Fife, East Renfrewshire, Moray and Glasgow could see schools close should staff walk out.
The EIS would not confirm the councils affected or the strike dates planned in case a resolution is settled in the coming days.
However, some local authorities have already informed parents while letters have been sent from the union to teachers in the affected areas.
Strikes, which focus on teacher workload, may still be avoided should the Scottish government, local authorities and the unions successfully negotiate.
A spokesman for the EIS said: “In light of the fact that negotiations are currently ongoing, the EIS has chosen not to release any further information on proposed industrial action at the present time, other than to those groups it is legally required to inform.
“Should the current ongoing negotiations fail to secure a negotiated agreement, the EIS will, in the coming days, make public its plans for industrial action.”
East Renfrewshire Council has said strike action will affect all schools and nursery classes in the council area and has informed parents by letter.
All secondary schools, primary schools, nursery classes within schools and Isobel Mair School ASN school will be closed on Tuesday, March 17 and Monday, March 23.
All family centres will remain open and operate as normal.
Dundee City Council has said it is still considering the implication of proposed strike dates on Wednesday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 24.
A statement from the council said: “Negotiations are continuing at a national level, but it is important the council prepares in case the proposed industrial action does go ahead.
“Due to the numbers of union members potentially involved in strike action, an assessment is required to determine what Dundee City Council nurseries and schools (including nursery classes) we can open safely during strike days.
“That assessment is currently under way.”
There is also a proposed planned period of Action Short of Strike Action starting on March 16.
The council said it will not lead to school and nursery closures but could affect extra curricular activities.
“The situation in each school will be different,” the statement added.
“We appreciate the uncertainty this will cause, and schools will keep parent/carers updated directly as soon as possible.”
Parents of children at school in Fife were informed by letter on Tuesday of plans for settings in the local authority area.
Donald Macleod, the council’s director of education, told parents a decision would be taken on Thursday of this week.
In the meantime, of the strikes, he said in the letter: “
“This action will create significant disruption to our education settings.
“We will not know in advance how many of our teachers will join the planned strike action, however historically most union members take part, so we must anticipate a high level of participation.
“We are unable to open all our buildings to children and young people, or provide cover across all classes, without sufficient teachers and school leaders.
“Even though some staff may come to work, we’re unlikely to be able to run all our educational facilities safely, on these days.
Therefore, to help families plan, I am writing to advise that we may need to make the difficult decision to close some or all school settings on these days.”
It is understood that Perth and Kinross council has been told teachers may strike on March 19 and 25; Moray council on 19 and 25; and Glasgow City Council on March 18 and 24.
The proposed strike focuses on strike focuses on the fact SNP ministers have not yet implemented a 2021 manifesto pledge to reduce the time teachers spend in front of a class by 90 minutes.
Education secretary Jenny Gilruth has said she is keen to avoid strike action and the union previous said “some progress” had been made in negotiations.
The EIS said assurances are needed that giving teachers extra "non-contact time" would "have a positive impact on children and young people".
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