Teachers start three days of targeted strikes

As reported by the BBC, targeted strike action is taking place in the row over teachers’ pay

The Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS) is staging a three-day walk out in the constituencies of politicians close to the dispute. Schools are affected in areas represented by first minister Nicola Sturgeon, her deputy John Swinney, education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville and Greens MSP Ross Greer, who said she was focused on resolving the dispute.

She has also written an open letter to pupils that outlines the support available to them during industrial action. The union rejected a new pay offer last week.

Teachers want a 10% pay increase which ministers say is unaffordable, but the latest offer included a six per cent pay rise in the current year and a further 5.5% in the new financial year. The Scottish government had found £156m to fund the two-year deal.

While the EIS turned down the offer, the NASUWT and the SSTA unions said they would consider it.