MEMBERS of a secondary school teaching union have voted to go on strike to push for an improved pay offer.
A ballot of Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) members saw 90% vote for strike action on a turnout of 62%.
It comes after Scotland’s largest teaching union, the EIS, set a date of November 24 for its own strike.
SSTA officials said they are considering a strike for the week beginning December 5.
Trade union laws mean at least 14 days notice of a strike must be provided.
SSTA general secretary Seamus Searson said: “The result is very good, we’re pleased with the return that we got.
“It just shows the frustration of teachers. We’ve been trying to get this resolved since the beginning of the year.
“We haven’t had a proper conversation about pay since August.”
Speaking last week, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said a teachers’ strike was not inevitable.
She said: “As a Scottish Government, we’re absolutely determined to see what we can do, to see if there’s additional funding that we can provide to [the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities] to allow Cosla as the employers to provide an enhanced pay offer.
“The industrial action is not inevitable and I would absolutely urge, as we’ve done with all the trade union colleagues today, to keep up that constructive dialogue and make sure we’re doing everything we can to avoid that.”
A Cosla spokesperson said: “Scottish local government values its entire workforce, of which teachers are a key part.
"Making an offer that is affordable and enables councils to protect the whole of education services and ultimately improve outcomes for children and young people.
"Along with Scottish Government, we are working closely and at pace to ensure a revised offer can be brought forward. We will remain in active discussions with our trade union partners."
