West Dunbartonshire teachers stage 48 hour strike

Secondary teachers in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland have begun a a two-day strike amid a dispute over cuts to senior posts.

The row involves West Dunbartonshire council’s move to cut the number of principal teachers of individual subjects in the area’s five secondary schools and replace them with ‘faculty heads’ whose roles cover a range of subjects.

Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) have already staged strikes in January and February over the issue. A third set of strikes were called off earlier after the council revised its offer, however, the union said it had been ‘overwhelmingly’ rejected.

Larry Flanagan, EIS general secretary, said: “EIS members in West Dunbartonshire are determined to stand firm against the authority’s plans to cut principal teacher posts in secondary schools.

“These changes would have a detrimental impact on the operation of secondary school departments, and a negative effect on learning and teaching activity in secondary schools.

“The EIS will have picket lines in place at all West Dunbartonshire secondary schools and will be holding a campaign rally today at Clydebank Town Hall, which we have invited representatives of all main political parties to attend.”