Joint Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, Councillor Vaughan Moody:
“The threat of industrial action by the NASUWT, targeting only East Dunbartonshire of 32 local authorities in Scotland is unjustified, unduly personal and a direct attack on the pupils of this area because they are in high performing schools.
“The unsubstantiated claims by the NASUWT that the Council has chosen not to engage with them are simply untrue. This Council has been instrumental in addressing all issues raised by teachers both on national concerns recognised through the LNCT and on local issues.
“Considering the NASUWT acknowledged our constructive and positive partnership working at our most recent meeting at the end of January, it is quite incredible that following correspondence after that meeting the result is a sensationalist announcement of strike action.
Joint Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, Councillor Andrew Polson:
“We also find it astonishing that the NASUWT is now jumping on the bandwagon of non-teaching staff in our schools, following the Council’s most challenging budget position yet, where decisions were taken to preserve jobs across the whole authority with an unfortunate but necessary impact on the terms and conditions of our non-teaching workforce. Whilst financial decisions have been taken in this respect so too has a commitment been made to work with the relevant trades unions on this matter in taking it forward.
“We have been constructively engaged with the NASUWT and this targeted attack on the pupils and families of East Dunbartonshire is unwarranted and demonstrates a complete lack of commitment from the union to work with the Council for the benefit of their members.
“No evidence has been provided as to why East Dunbartonshire has been singled out for this disruptive action and I would urge the union to consider the impact they will have on our young people as they prepare for their examinations if this unjustified strike action proceeds.
“I would also like to reassure our young people and their families and carers that we are doing everything in our power to minimise the disruption to their schooling through this single union action which is not being supported by the other teaching unions.”
Please Note
The strike action is targeted at Bearsden Academy, Kirkintilloch High School and Lenzie Academy.
Kirkintilloch High School and Lenzie Academy will be OPEN to all pupils on Tuesday 27 March.
Bearsden Academy will be closed to all pupils on Tuesday 27 March with the exception of:
- Those pupils in the Language and Communication Unit – who should attend as usual as there will be staff there to support them; and
- Those pupils who attend College in the afternoon should come to the school at lunchtime to get the bus to college.
Follow us on Twitter @EDLC_Culture like us at facebook