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Hundreds at rally in support of Perth and Kinross school strike

BBC Striking workers - wearing purple Unison tabards - listen to a speech at a rally in a park BBC
Striking union members and supporters took part in the rally in Perth

Hundreds of people have attended a rally and march in support of a strike by school staff in Perth and Kinross.

The rally, which included striking workers and supporters, took place in North Inch Park, Perth.

More than half of the area's primary schools remain completely closed because of the targeted action, which began on 21 October and is set to end on Friday.

The strike is over council pay across Scotland and involves Unison members in schools and early years such as janitors and classroom assistants. Teachers are not involved in the action.

A group of people on a march in a park, waving purple Unison flags

Unison said the rally was held as part of a "further effort to persuade Cosla and the Scottish government to get around the table for talks".

One of the speakers, nursery worker Diane Walker, told the crowd: “We have done the right thing. Let’s hope this two-week strike helps to get negotiation to restart.

“None of us wanted to strike but we need to feel valued.

”The majority of schools and nurseries have remained closed, and that says it all to me.”

Alison Houghton, a family years early learning practitioner, said: “I actually can't believe we're in a second week of striking and nobody's actually listening.”

Fellow striker Nicola Conlon, an early learning and childcare led practitioner said: “There is this word that's been bandied about constantly since this industrial action started, non-teaching staff, and I think it's actually highly offensive.

“Every single day we come into work, we are teaching the youngest and most vulnerable in society during some of the most crucial years of their education, life and their journey. And I think that’s hugely important.

“We're teaching them to be independent, we're teaching them to be resilient, we're teaching them to show empathy and care for others. We're teaching them life skills. We are setting the foundations for success in their later life.

“If that’s not teaching, I really don't know what is.”

A woman waves a banner and holds a sign at a rally in a park.
Nicola Conlon says early years practitioners play an important role in schools

First Minister John Swinney, whose constituency is affected by the strike action, wrote to the union yesterday encouraging "meaningful dialogue with local government."

Unison has rejected a pay rise which is worth almost £1,300 or 3.6% to staff, whichever is higher.

It was made in August to see off the threat of bin strikes in many council areas. The Scottish government made more resources available to councils to help.

Both the GMB and Unite unions accepted it and councils are now taking steps to give staff the money plus back pay.

Mr Swinney reiterated the Scottish government's position that there was "no more funding" for an improved pay offer.