More than 100 people attended a rally at the council headquarters as teachers went on strike in Dumfries and Galloway yesterday.
Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) took their fight for better pay to the council’s door as part of a 16 day series of national industrial action.
On Monday it was the turn of Dumfries and Galloway and East Ayrshire branches of the EIS to take strike action.
And many gathered outside the council HQ to make their feelings known
Andrew O’Halloran, EIS local association secretary, said: “The turnout is fantastic.
“To have more than 100 teachers in a rural area with a population spread like Dumfries and Galloway and to get these numbers on a strike day is a very strong statement to the Scottish Government and COSLA about how we feel about pay, conditions, workload and the aftermath of the pandemic which are all worries.
“Things cannot go on like this.
“Teachers are on their knees.
“We are trying to keep our heads above water amidst spiralling inflation and at the same time lack of investment is crippling education.
“Our workload has increased dramatically, pupil behaviour is more challenging than ever post pandemic and funding for additional support needs is woefully inadequate.”
Teachers are seeking a 10 per cent pay rise to deal with the cost of living crisis and rising inflation.
COSLA insist the demand is “unaffordable and therefore we still remain a distance apart in terms of a settlement”.
Julie Irving, EIS president for Dumfries and Dumfries and Galloway, said: “The system is creaking and close to breaking point. The Government must invest properly in education to get it right for every child and those resources include teachers.
“Teaching should be a brilliant career choice, but it is becoming less and less attractive with more and more being laid on teachers, constantly increasing workload and an ever-decreasing salary in times of high inflation.”
Teachers were joined by several councillors from the local authority and Labour MSP Colin Smyth.
The South Scotland representative said: “I’ve spent quite a lot of time on picket lines this morning speaking to teachers right across the area and there’s a real strength of feeling.
“They’re campaigning not just for a fair pay rise but for proper investment in our schools and education.
“A lot of people say to me: “How can we afford a pay rise for teachers?”
“My answer is we can’t afford not to pay people properly if we’re serious about recruitment and retention and giving our kids the best start in life.”
She added: “To date, we have made four offers, all of which have been rejected, but we remain absolutely committed to reaching an agreement on a pay deal that is fair and sustainable for all concerned.”
