Strike action to close 28 primary schools in West Dunbartonshire

Dozens of schools across West Dunbartonshire will be closed today as staff take strike action.

A total of 28 primary schools across the local authority will be shut on Wednesday (May 20) as learning assistants walk out in a dispute over how their jobs are graded.

The staff provide personal care to children with disabilities, behavioural challenges and complex medical needs in both primary and secondary schools.

They say that expertise is not reflected in their pay and voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action last month.

All primary schools in the area will be closed as part of the action, with the exception of Levenvale, Knoxland, Linnvale and St Mary’s Primary School in Duntocher, which don’t have Grade 3 learning assistants.

Unison regional organiser Gillian Bannatyne urged the council to “take their work seriously and pay them properly” .

She added: “Going on strike is the last thing these dedicated workers want to do.

“But they feel they’ve no choice after being undervalued and ignored for too long. It’s time the council took their work seriously and paid them properly for what they do.”

Unison West Dunbartonshire branch chair Aly McCulloch said: “Learning assistants take on responsibilities far beyond their job descriptions.

“They de-escalate violent incidents, provide intimate personal care and support children with profound needs.

“Staff don’t want to be on strike, but they do need to be paid fairly for the skilled work they do.”

A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Council said: “We value the vital work learning assistants undertake within our classrooms and are disappointed they are taking industrial action.

“We remain committed to minimising disruption where possible and are continuing to liaise with our union colleagues.

“Like other authorities, we are bound by the Scottish Joint Council Job Evaluation Scheme, which is agreed by UNISON, Unite and GMB and have an agreed local policy which includes evaluations undertaken jointly with union analysts. This ensures consistency and equal pay for work of equal value.

“We will continue to support this group of employees in any subsequent job-Evaluation resubmissions.”