GLASGOW’S school system has an “appalling” culture of bullying, with staff forced to work beyond their contracted hours, a teaching union alleged today.

Solicitors acting on behalf of NASUWT have served the city council and local school head teachers with a notice reminding them of their legal obligations.

The union accused schools of trying to coerce teachers into working extra hours through a culture of bullying and intimidation.

NASUWT also alleged that the council has threatened teachers with pay cuts if they fail to comply with school heads’ demands.

It has established an anonymous hotline for union members to report their experiences of workplace intimidation.

The notice has been served as part of the union’s national dispute with the Scottish government on a range of issues, which also include an ineffective approach to bad behaviour by pupils and poor management practices.

NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said: “Teachers understand their contractual responsibilities and they are entitled to expect that their contractual provisions are honoured.

“Teachers have been faced with bullying, harassment, aggression and hostility.

“Members have been faced with punitive action and, in some cases, verbally abused and subjected to intimidatory tactics, including being forced to report individually to head teachers’ or senior managers’ offices.

“It appears that a bullying, intolerant and abusive approach is adopted towards the workforce or anyone who does not immediately conform to their way of thinking.

“Teachers and head teachers have been clear to us that this appalling management culture was rife long before the union’s industrial action started.”

Glasgow City Council has yet to respond to requests for comment.