School strikes planned for three days in September

Schools in nine council areas across Scotland may be forced to close after Unison confirmed staff will strike next month.

Workers are set to strike on Tuesday 6 September until Thursday 8 September.

The announcement comes after trade unions rejected a two per cent pay offer from council umbrella body Cosla last month.

Unison has given notice to Aberdeenshire, Clackmannanshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Orkney, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire and Stirling councils.

It represents admin, facilities management, and teacher and pupil support staff, but not teachers themselves.

Parents have been warned that schools, nurseries and early years centres may be impacted.

Unite and GMB also voted for strike action last month but are yet to confirm dates.

Johanna Baxter, Unison Scotland head of local government, said: “We are in urgent negotiations with the employer to try and find a solution, but so far we have only had an offer of talks – we have not had a pay offer.

“Until we can explain to Unison members how a pay offer might impact on them, council workers have been left with no choice but to strike.”

The strikes coincide with further bin strikes set to continue next month.

However, an improved pay offer of five per cent was made to waste and recycling staff last week which is currently being considered by the unions.