Schools across Dumfries and Galloway closed this week with teachers hitting picket lines as a pay row escalated.
Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) walked out on Tuesday and Wednesday after talks on Monday ended without agreement on a deal.
The “strong” industrial action closed primary schools on Tuesday and secondaries yesterday with the threat of further strikes in less than a fortnight unless a better offer is tabled by COSLA and the Scottish Government.
Andrew O’ Halloran, regional association secretary for the EIS, said: “Strike action by EIS members in primary and secondary schools across Dumfries and Galloway has been strong.
“There have also been well attended picket lines at many schools in the region.
“Members also took part in strike hubs both online and in person.”
He added: “EIS members are concerned not just about pay but also about the decline in conditions and workload which makes the profession less attractive to entrants than it was a number of years ago.
“Unless an offer comes in from the Scottish Government there will be further strike action on January 23 across Dumfries and Galloway.”
It is the second time teachers have walked out in the dispute with the previous strike in November the first in nearly 40 years.
Unions are demanding a 10 per cent pay rise with the employers saying they don’t have the money to make such an offer.
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are open to considering options to resolve this dispute through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers.
Cosla’s spokeswoman for resources, Katie Hagmann, said: “I look forward to maintaining constructive and proactive dialogue, which considers all options available, so that we limit any further disruption for pupils, parents and carers.”
