Support Rally Held for Perth and Kinross School Staff Strike

A rally and march in Perth and Kinross saw hundreds of participants express solidarity with striking school staff. The event, which included both striking employees and their supporters, convened at North Inch Park in Perth. The ongoing industrial action, initiated on October 21 and slated to conclude on Friday, has led to the full closure of more than half of the primary schools in the area. The industrial action concerns council pay across Scotland and includes Unison members employed in schools and early years settings, such as janitors and classroom assistants. Teachers are not participating in this strike. Unison stated that the rally was organized as a “further effort to persuade Cosla and the Scottish government to get around the table for talks.” Diane Walker, a nursery worker and one of the speakers, addressed the crowd, stating: “We have done the right thing. Let’s hope this two-week strike helps to get negotiation to restart.“None of us wanted to strike but we need to feel valued.”The majority of schools and nurseries have remained closed, and that says it all to me.”” Alison Houghton, a family years early learning practitioner, remarked: “I actually can’t believe we’re in a second week of striking and nobody’s actually listening.”Nicola Conlon, an early learning and childcare led practitioner and fellow striker, stated: “There is this word that’s been bandied about constantly since this industrial action started, non-teaching staff, and I think it’s actually highly offensive.“Every single day we come into work, we are teaching the youngest and most vulnerable in society during some of the most crucial years of their education, life and their journey. And I think that’s hugely important.“We’re teaching them to be independent, we’re teaching them to be resilient, we’re teaching them to show empathy and care for others. We’re teaching them life skills. We are setting the foundations for success in their later life.“If that’s not teaching, I really don’t know what is.”” First Minister John Swinney, whose constituency is affected by the strike action, sent a letter to the union yesterday, advocating for “meaningful dialogue with local government.” Unison has declined a pay rise offer, which amounts to almost £1,300 or 3.6% for staff, whichever is higher. This offer was initially presented in August to prevent potential bin strikes across many council areas. The Scottish government had allocated additional resources to councils to facilitate this. Both the GMB and Unite unions accepted the pay offer, and councils are now in the process of providing staff with the money, along with back pay. Mr. Swinney reiterated the Scottish government’s stance that “no more funding” was available for an improved pay offer.