Teacher strikes halted as council to drop job cuts

A strike by teachers in Glasgow has been suspended following talks between unions and the city council.

Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) teaching union were to walk out on 20 February unless ongoing education cuts were halted and reversed.

The EIS said strike action has been suspended following an offer from the Glasgow City Council SNP group to withdraw future planned education cuts and a promise to use Scottish government funding to increase teacher numbers to 2023 levels.

Glasgow City Council originally planned to axe 450 posts over a three-year period as part of a savings drive, with around 120 roles already scrapped.

The EIS previously argued the cuts would harm teaching standards and create heavier workloads for staff.

A letter sent to the union by the SNP's Allan Casey, the councillor in charge of workforce, says £17m over two years will be found elsewhere to cover the cost.

Mr Casey wrote: "I hope you agree that it represents a significant commitment to our teaching workforce and to the quality of education in the city. I hope this will be welcome news to your members."

He also said that additional funding from the Scottish government would be used on increasing the number of teachers in the city, and that the SNP were "hopeful" other parties would back the proposal.

Following discussion on the offer letter, Glasgow EIS local association secretary Jane Gow said the offer represents a "strong result" for members and young people.

She added: "While the offer is not yet binding, and still has to pass through the full processes of council and be confirmed in next week's budget, the EIS is suspending strike action as an act of good faith while this process continues to its conclusion.

"As ever, the EIS will be paying close attention to ensure that the promises outlined in the letter become hard and fast commitments."

The union will have a mandate to go on strike again within six months if it looks like the cuts are being reintroduced or the budget is not going to pass.

However, the SNP group's size means it is unlikely to fail.

Glasgow City Council previously said no teachers in permanent jobs would be made redundant and that savings would come from not filling vacant posts or by reducing staff on temporary contracts.

The local authority said it needed to look at every option to make savings, as the education budget covers more than half the local authority's direct expenditure

Last year the Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth revealed she had not allowed the £145.5m which was set aside to maintain teacher numbers to be paid to councils.

This was because some - including Glasgow - had cut teacher numbers.

However, in December Cosla and the Scottish government signed an official agreement to maintain teacher numbers and freeze learning hours.

Parents had argued the proposed cuts would disproportionately impact children with additional support needs and those living in poverty.

The council has been approached for comment.