Schools in Swinney's Constituency to Close for Strike Action

In Scotland, schools located in First Minister John Swinney's constituency are closing due to ongoing strike action by the trade union Unison, affected by a rejected pay offer from the local authority body, Cosla. This strike action, which targets the constituency, involves non-teaching staff, who turned down a 67p an hour pay raise or 3.6%. While two other unions accepted the deal, Unison remains adamant about advocating for better wages, emphasizing that council staff are lagging behind other public service workers who have received higher pay increases recently. Perth and Kinross Council has announced that all primary schools, nurseries, intensive support settings, and two secondary schools will be closed starting Monday, October 21, 2024. The council had difficulty conducting risk assessments for primary schools and nurseries due to the October holiday, which hindered their reopening. The situation is expected to remain uncertain, with potential school openings varying from day to day based on strike actions. John Swinney described the targeting of his constituency as unacceptable, stating there is no additional funding available for local authorities to offer a better pay deal. Colette Hunter, representing Unison, has criticized Swinney for his allegations against council staff, insisting that he has the authority and resources to help resolve the ongoing dispute. The strike highlights wider concerns about pay equity among public sector workers in Scotland and the pressure on the Scottish Government to find a solution that addresses the needs of all council employees.