All primary schools and two secondary schools in Perth and Kinross - the first minister John Swinney’s constituency - are closed due to walkouts by non-teaching staff over pay.
The Unison trade union called the action - set to last for two weeks - targeting Mr Swinney’s seat after members working in non-teaching roles in schools, including janitors and classroom assistants, rejected a pay offer from the local authorities’ body Cosla.
The deal would have increased pay by 67p an hour or 3.6 per cent, whichever was higher, and was accepted by the two other main unions - and council leaders voted to impose the increase on staff.
The walkout by Unison members follows the two-week October school holiday, meaning schools could be shut for a full month.
In a statement published on its website, Perth and Kinross Council said all primary schools, nurseries, intensive support settings and two secondary schools, St John’s Academy in Perth and the Community School of Auchterarder, would be closed today (Monday 21 October).
The council was unable to carry out risk assessments of primary schools and nurseries due to the October holidays, meaning facilities could not open immediately.
The council said ”a small number of primary schools” could open later this week, but the situation would likely remain “fluid” for the duration of the action, and “may change for individual schools on a day-to-day basis”.
It said remote learning would be provided when schools were closed as teachers are not taking part in the industrial action.
Mr Swinney has previously described the targeting of his seat as “unacceptable”, saying there was “no justification” for it and there is no more money for the Scottish government to hand local authorities to fund a better deal.
Colette Hunter, Unison’s local government committee chair in Scotland, previously accused Mr Swinney of making “inflammatory accusations against hardworking council staff” and that, as first minister, he “has the power and the means to resolve this dispute and avoid school closures”.
She said: “This year, teachers got a pay rise of 4.6 per cent, NHS staff received 5.5 per cent, MSPs received 6.7 per cent and some councillors got a pay rise of 13.8 per cent.
“Council staff are being left behind again - they have every justification in pressurising the Scottish government to find a solution.”
Unison has warned of a national strike ballot if the dispute is not resolved.
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