MyEDC

    Technical Notes 2022, Issue 210 - Strike Action in schools

    • Report by:

      Ann Davie, Depute Chief Executive

    • TN Number:

      210-22

    • Subject:

      Strike Action in schools

    • Responsible Officer:

      Ann Davie, Depute Chief Executive

    • Publication:

      This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.

    Section

    1. Further to the previous update in Technical Note 200 on 2 December advising of strike action in relation to an ongoing pay dispute, the Council has now received notice further updates.  

    2, As previously advised the EIS served notice of further selective action in January, with the intention to take members out of Primary and ASN Schools on Tuesday 10 January, and those employed in Secondary on Wednesday 11 January. On these respective dates, whereby selective action is being taken in Primary and ASN, and Secondary Provisions, these schools will require to close to pupils.

    3. EIS will be taking further action in January and February over a series of dates across all local authorities, taking all of their membership on strike action. This will effect the Council on Friday 20 January.

    4. The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) has served notice that it will also undertake strike action on Wednesday 11 January, which will impact on Secondary provision.

    5. AHDS members will undertake a programme of discontinuous strike action in pursuit of the dispute on Tuesday 10 and Friday 20 January 2023.

    6. In summary, this will mean the closure of school to pupils as follows

    • Tuesday 10 January – Primary and ASN Provision, closed to pupils.
    • Wednesday 11 January – Secondary Provision, closed to pupils.
    • Friday 20 January – All schools (Primary, ASN, Secondary), closed to pupils.

    7. Following action on 7 December, The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) is holding a second ballot of its members to establish a further period of industrial action until October of 2023. This ballot closes on 16 January, thereafter the Council will receive the outcome.

    8. On days of strike action, operational arrangements are being communicated to all school-based staff, teaching and non-teaching, including those not covered by the Teaching Unions strike mandates.

    9. Effected schools will communicate that they are closed to pupils through their usual communication channels, and further reminders will be issued through the Council’s social media channels, linking to our school strike action webpage. 

    10. East Dunbartonshire Early Years Centres will remain open on the strike days noted above. With the exception of Campsie View which will be closed on Tuesday 10 and Friday 20 January.

    11. Officers are assessing the impact of further notifications of strike action and Councillors will be kept advised of updates through further Technical Notes.