All Perth and Kinross primary schools to close on first strike day

All primary schools and early learning and childcare (ELC) in Perth and Kinross will close on Monday as a two-week strike begins.

The council said intensive support provision (ISP) and Fairview School in Perth would also close as a result of the action by non-teaching members of the Unison union.

The local authority confirmed all but two secondary schools would open on Monday.

The council said the situation would be reviewed daily during the industrial action.

The area, which includes First Minister John Swinney's constituency, is being targeted for a fortnight of action in the national council pay dispute.

St John's Academy (Secondary) in Perth and the Community School of Auchterarder are the only two secondaries to close on the first day of the strike.

The council added that all secondary ISP provision would be closed on Monday.

The school said it had not been possible to complete risk assessments for all of its primary schools due to the October holidays.

It said this meant it could not guarantee there would be enough staff to ensure pupil safety.

The council said it was possible a small number of primary schools would be able to open later next week.

School care, including wraparound care, breakfast clubs and kids' clubs will also not go ahead in schools that are closed.

The council said remote learning will be provided when schools are closed, as teachers are not taking part in the industrial action.

Perth and Kinross council leader Grant Laing said he was "extremely disappointed in the strike and urged Unison to suspend it.

Thousands of Unison members (86%), including waste and recycling workers as well as education staff, turned down the national offer.

That offer was for a £1,292 per year or 3.6% rise – whichever was higher.

It was accepted by the two other big council unions, Unite and the GMB.

Councils across Scotland have agreed to implement the offer, meaning staff should get their rise and back pay soon.

The Scottish government and council leaders have said there is no more money for pay this year.

Earlier this week, Finance Secretary Shona Robison said "no one's interests will be served by the industrial action."

Unison's Perth and Kinross branch secretary Stuart Hope told BBC Scotland News on Tuesday that members were not taking the decision to strike "lightly" and that he hoped parents would understand it was being done for "the right reasons".