Union bosses behind a looming schools strike said “it is the last thing we want to do” as some parents face taking two weeks unpaid leave while schools close.
Perth and Kinross Council said this week that many primary schools and nurseries will likely be affected by UNISON non-teaching staff industrial action, advising parents to seek alternative arrangements for the next two weeks.
The local authority was unable to say which schools will be impacted, but was aiming to keep all secondary schools open.
Parents across the region have since expressed their frustration at the industrial action, with one saying she will be forced to take two weeks’ unpaid leave.
UNISON Perth and Kinross branch secretary Stuart Hope yesterday recognised the inconvenience the strikes would cause to families, but pointed out they had not heard from local government body COSLA or the Scottish Government in advance of industrial action – a claim refuted by COSLA.
He said: “We fully understand the position of parents and grandparents – and the inconvenience this will cause.
“It is the last thing we want to do. However, the pay offer was rejected by 86 percent of our members.
“This has left us with no option. COSLA and the Scottish Government haven’t come back to us to thrash out a compromise to avert this strike action.
“Most of our members are parents. They don’t want the upheaval.
“But it is either that or getting a deal imposed on us which was rejected.
“There was two weeks’ notice, but we haven’t heard from [COSLA or the Scottish Government].”
The strike is a national dispute over pay focusing on the First Minister John Swinney’s Perthshire constituency.
Mr Swinney told Holyrood last week he took the situation “deadly seriously” and said the targeted strike on his constituency was “unacceptable”.
UNISON have said the pay offer is not in line with other public service workers, many of whom have been offered 5.5 percent pay rises.
Unite and GMB council workers have accepted the offer.
One parent said on social media this week: “No consideration for the children themselves and their education; and parents, like myself, who will have to take two weeks off work, unpaid, because there’s no childcare.”
Another called for PKC to provide support for families, adding: “As a council employee whose job is critical and living in a rural area where there is no childcare provided by the council, can you advise as to how as a parent ‘alternative arrangements’ are possible? No family to provide care as also care for them.
“In the event of strike action can the council arrange contingency childcare in school settings to support such circumstances?”
However many people have expressed support for workers’ rights to strike, with one person saying: “The whole point of strike action is to cause disruption to apply pressure to get fair pay and work conditions.”
As of yesterday, PKC was assessing how the industrial action will impact on schools and Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings, pointing out it was “not able to complete this yet due to school closures for the October holidays.”
A spokesperson said: “Our priority is always the safety of our children and young people.
“This means we will close schools and ELC settings where we do not think there will be enough staff to ensure the safety of pupils. This may also mean that we have to close Intensive Support Provisions (ISPs) in some schools even if the school itself is not closed.
“It is likely many primary schools and ELC settings will have to close and we would ask parents/carers to plan for alternative arrangements for the two weeks of industrial action in case their school cannot open.
“If this is the case then before and after school care (Kids Clubs and Wraparound Care) will also be closed. It may be possible to partially or fully open some primary schools/ELC settings but the position could change on a day-to-day bases once industrial action is underway.
“Whilst we cannot yet confirm at this stage, we are aiming to open all secondary schools. Fairview [ASN] School has currently been assessed as needing to be closed on the Monday (October 21) and possibly other days next week once more information is available.
“Parents should make alternative arrangements. Remote learning will be provided when schools are closed to pupils as teachers are not taking part in the industrial action.
“We thank parents, carers and pupils for their understanding. We appreciate the impact the industrial action will have on families and so are sharing details of the current situation to help plan for the first two weeks of term.
“Please be aware the situation may change as we get closer to the start of term and we will continue to post updates on our social media channels and website when they are available.”
Scottish Government finance and local government secretary Shona Robison said: “While this government respects workers’ rights, no one’s interests will be served by industrial action which will disrupt children and young people attending schools and nurseries in Perth and Kinross.
“The pay offer is better than that made to local government workers in the rest of the UK and will see the lowest paid workers, including Unison members, receive a 5.63 percent pay increase.
“I hope that Unison members recognise the strength of this offer which has already been accepted by GMB and Unite.”
A COSLA spokesperson said: “Implementation of the pay award does not mean that discussions will end, and COSLA remains fully committed to the negotiation process with all three trade unions.
“We have been actively seeking to arrange formal meetings and contact has been maintained between COSLA and union officials as we seek to understand UNISON’s aspirations for an agreed settlement within the funding envelope available.”