Schools in Perth and Kinross face closure due to strike action

In Scotland, a significant strike action has been announced by Unison, the largest local government trade union, which could lead to the closure of schools and early years centres in Perth and Kinross for two weeks starting October 21, 2024. This decision follows the union's rejection of a pay offer from Cosla, which proposed a wage increase of either 67p an hour or 3.6%, whichever is higher. Unison members expressed dissatisfaction, feeling that their pay lags behind other public sectors, such as the NHS, where staff received a 5.5% wage increase. The strike is strategically aimed at John Swinney's constituency, with the hope of drawing attention to the urgent need for a fair pay settlement. Union leaders believe that the action will highlight the grievances of council staff, who have faced a decade of pay cuts and feel undervalued compared to other public service workers. The union's branch secretary, Stuart Hope, emphasized that the strike is a last resort for employees who are advocating for fair compensation. The strike action is set to take place immediately after the October holiday, potentially resulting in schools being closed for a total of four weeks. This situation underscores the ongoing tensions between local government staff and the Scottish Government regarding funding and pay issues. Both the Scottish Government and Cosla have been approached for comments on the situation, indicating that the matter is being closely monitored by various stakeholders involved in local governance and public service funding.