{"id":470235,"date":"2026-03-11T20:12:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T20:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/470235\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T20:12:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T20:12:09","slug":"scottish-teachers-to-go-on-strike-across-six-council-areas-in-workload-dispute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/470235\/","title":{"rendered":"Scottish teachers to go on strike across six council areas in workload dispute"},"content":{"rendered":"

Teachers are set to go on strike across Scotland later this month as part of a dispute over workload. <\/p>\n

The EIS, Scotland\u2019s largest teaching union, has targeted six local authorities after members voted in favour of taking industrial action.<\/p>\n

They are Glasgow, East Renfrewshire, Moray, Perth and Kinross, Dundee and Fife. All schools in these areas will be forced to close if staff walk out, but family centres are set to operate as normal.<\/p>\n

The union did not confirm the affected councils or the strike dates, citing ongoing talks to seek a resolution to the dispute. Several councils have since updated their websites or issued letters to parents.<\/p>\n

When are the proposed strike dates? East Renfrewshire \u2013 Tuesday, March 17 and Monday, March 23Glasgow \u2013 Wednesday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 24Moray \u2013 Thursday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 25Perth and Kinross \u2013 Thursday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 25Dundee \u2013 Wednesday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 24Fife \u2013 Tuesday, March 17 and Monday, March 23Union hopeful of negotiated outcome<\/p>\n

The EIS said in a statement: \u201cAs trade union legislation requires, the EIS did, last week, issue formal notice of potential industrial action over teacher workload to Scotland\u2019s local authorities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe EIS has also informed its members of the potential for both Action Short of Strike (ASOS) and strike action in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile taking these required steps to comply with the law, the EIS is also continuing discussions with both the
Scottish Government and Scottish local authorities, through Cosla, in the hope of achieving a negotiated
outcome to this dispute.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn light of the fact that negotiations are currently ongoing, the EIS has chosen not to release any further
information on proposed industrial action at the present time, other than to those groups it is legally required
to inform.<\/p>\n

\u201cShould the current ongoing negotiations fail to secure a negotiated agreement, the EIS will, in the coming days, make public its plans for industrial action.\u201d<\/p>\n

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council, Scotland\u2019s largest local authority by population, said: \u201cWe have received the EIS strike action notification but understand that talks are ongoing.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, due to the large numbers of our teachers who could potentially be taking industrial action, it will not be possible to open schools to children and young people on strike days.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will issue a letter to our families today explaining this and will keep them updated if the situation changes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vivienne Cross, Moray Council\u2019s head of education, said: \u201cWe fully appreciate that school closures inconvenience families, so we\u2019re providing advanced warning to allow alternative childcare arrangements to be made as necessary.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will, of course, keep parents and carers updated with any developments or changes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark Ratter, director of education at East Renfrewshire Council, wrote in a letter to parents that all primary and secondary schools will be closed on strike days, including the Isobel Mair school for children with additional support needs.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cIt is proposed that industrial action will take place on Tuesday, 17 March and Monday, 23 March 2026. Our aim, as always, is to provide a safe environment for our staff and young people and maintain continuity of learning where possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

More strikes on the horizon?<\/p>\n

Last week, the union issued a 10-day notice of its intention to take action, saying that despite \u201cprogress\u201d in negotiations, a firm agreement had not been reached.<\/p>\n

It raised the prospect of a potential strike in April or May, which would be in the run-up to exams.<\/p>\n

The Scottish Parliament elections will also take place on May 7.<\/p>\n

EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said the union was complying with legal requirements around notices for industrial action.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cThis allows us to keep our options open, within the confines of current trade union law, and retain the option to call on our members to take industrial action, should it be required to ensure a resolution to this long-running dispute.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome progress has been made in the past 24 hours but so far, we have nothing in writing to reflect the commitment of the Scottish Government and Cosla to deliver on past promises.\u201d<\/p>\n

She continued: \u201cThe EIS remains fully committed to seeking a negotiated solution to this dispute, and will remain available in the coming days and before the closing of this 10-day window for meaningful discussion with the Scottish Government and local authority employers, through Cosla.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe would urge those other parties to use this window wisely, and to move swiftly to ensure that an agreement can be reached to end this dispute, in the best interests of learners and teachers across Scotland.\u201d<\/p>\n

Councillor Ricky Bell, Cosla\u2019s resources spokesperson said: \u201cCosla notes planned strike action by the EIS in relation reducing the weekly time teachers spend delivering lessons.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndustrial action is in nobody\u2019s interests, and we urge unions to work with Cosla and Scottish Government to find a solution all parties can agree rather that threaten to disrupt education at this crucial time of year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recognise that supporting teachers is essential. However, this needs to be facilitated in a way that ensures a positive impact on outcomes for children and young people.<\/p>\n

\u201cCosla remains committed to constructive engagement with the Scottish Government and teaching unions through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) on the implementation of the Ministerial commitment to reduce class contact time.<\/p>\n

\u201cConcerns about the financial and practical implications of this policy remain. RCCT (reduced class contact time) cannot be delivered without full funding and a clear understanding of its impact on children and young people\u201d<\/p>\n

Education secretary Jenny Gilruth last week pledged additional investment and said she was \u201cdetermined\u201d to find a resolution to prevent a strike.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cWe have been working intensively with trade unions and Cosla on how best to implement our commitment to reduce class contact time, which will reduce workload for teachers and improve outcomes for children. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cReaching an agreement this week will avoid industrial action that is in nobody\u2019s interests, least of all children\u2019s. We want to avoid senior pupils having their exams disrupted and we think that the trade unions and council leaders across Scotland want to avoid that too.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have put together a package of measures to address concerns from both sides and have offered significant additional resources to help councils implement the deal. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAn agreement can be reached. I am hopeful that Cosla leaders will vote to do so when they meet this Friday, thereby allowing the EIS to call off its planned industrial action in response.\u201d<\/p>\n

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