A teaching union has predicted that almost every school in Scotland will be forced to close for a day because of widespread strike action.

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) became the latest union to vote in favour of a one-day strike as part of an ongoing dispute about pensions.

Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland, the country's largest teaching union, have already voted to join the strike, which will also affect courts, Government offices, jobcentres, driving test centres, council services and hospitals.

SSTA general-secretary Ann Ballinger said: "It is now virtually certain that 99% or more of Scotland's primary and secondary schools will be closed on November 30."

The SSTA represents some 9000 teachers and Ms Ballinger said the view of members was "clear", adding: "We regret that the Government has done nothing to change its view on the more damaging aspects of its pension proposals."

She claimed the UK Government's attitude to public services was "on a par with that expected from a Victorian millowner".

"The latest Government threat that the current 'offer' will be withdrawn if strikes go ahead exhibits the level of thinking prevalent in the current Westminster Government," she said.

"We see an approach to public service which would be on a par with that expected from a Victorian millowner for whom every penny spent on the workforce is seen as a disaster."