Renfrewshire teachers going on strike – during school holiday

Nov 5 2011 by Alison Rennie, Paisley Daily Express

TEACHERS throughout Renfrewshire are planning to go on strike – on a school holiday.

Members of the EIS teaching union have voted overwhelmingly to take part in the national day of action organised by the Trades Union Council (TUC) on Wednesday, November 30.

However, kids at all schools across the Paisley area will be off that day anyway as Renfrewshire Council has declared it a holiday to mark the St Andrew’s Day celebrations.

A spokesman for the EIS said: “We have taken the decision to join the UK-wide day of action on November 30, following the overwhelming support of members in an industrial action ballot.

“While we recognise that some local authorities will be holding in-service training on this date and others will be closed for the St Andrew’s Day holiday, it is important that teachers join the wider trade union movement in this co-ordinated day of action.

“It is important that the EIS works together with other trade unions to send a strong message to government, which is why November 30 has been chosen.”

With a 54.2 per cent turnout, a total of 82 per cent of EIS members voted in favour of walking out on strike on November 30, with 18 per cent voting against.

The majority of EIS members are primary and secondary school teachers. However, college and university lecturers are also part of the union.

Industrial action is being taken in protest at government plans to change public sector pension schemes. It will be the first national strike by EIS members in almost 25 years.

Commenting on the result of the ballot, EIS general secretary Ronnie Smith, right, said: “Teachers and lecturers are highly-committed professionals who do not decide lightly to strike. It is more than two decades since the last national strike action.

“However, the pensions ‘triple whammy’ of being compelled to pay more, work longer and get less has to be challenged.”