UNISON will conduct a rolling programme of school strikes in Scotland after nine in 10 members voted to reject a pay offer from local government umbrella body Cosla.

The union, which represents support staff including administrators, catering assistants and janitors, said today the nearly 10 per cent offer for the lowest-paid workers amounted to a real-terms cut during the cost-of-living crisis.

Chairman of the union’s Scotland’s local government committee Mark Ferguson said the ballot showed members’ resolve to fight for the fair pay they deserve.

He warned it would be a disaster and would help no-one if school staff left for better paying jobs outside education.

“The current offer amounts to a real-terms pay cut and adds further stress to a dedicated workforce who are already suffering from the cost-of-living crisis,” he said.

“Cosla and the Scottish government need to give school staff a decent pay rise, fund any increase properly and commit to implementing a pay of £15 per hour for all local government workers.” 

The strikes in schools and nurseries will take place over the coming weeks, with the dates to be announced in days; they follow industrial action by Unison members in 24 local authorities last month.

Unison’s Scottish secretary Lilian Macer said: “No-one takes industrial action lightly. It’s a very difficult decision for anyone, but as much as this is about pay, it’s also about standing up for local services.

“The school staff taking part in strike action support children in school every day of the year and many are parents with school-age children too.

“Workers are taking action because they want children to be educated in well-resourced, well-staffed schools. They want to start trying to reverse years of cuts and underinvestment in the workforce and services.

“No-one wants to cause disruption for pupils and parents, but school staff have been left with no other option.

“The blame must be laid squarely at the door of Cosla and Scottish ministers. They have it within their gift to end the strike but they are showing no sign of wanting to do so. That’s a terrible shame for everyone affected.”

Cosla’s resources spokeswoman councillor Katie Hagmann said the ballot result was very disappointing and that its offer was the highest it could make without impacting service and jobs.