‘Enough is enough’: Hundreds of teachers from across north and north-east rally for pay ‘they deserve’

By Denny Andonova and Michelle Henderson

November 24 2022, 3:39 pm

The EIS teaching union held a rally during their day of strikes outside the Inverness Town House. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

Teachers across the north and north-east have been taking part in nationwide action calling for a 10% pay rise.

Staff from more than 500 Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highland schools stood their ground as they joined the picket line.

As well as picketing this morning, rallies were held across the country this afternoon – including Inverness, Aberdeen and Elgin.

‘We are looking for a fair wage for the job that we do’

Staff gathered outside Inverness Town House chanting, and singing.

Alistair Bell, local association secretary for Highland EIS, was among the crowds.

A maths teacher for almost 30 years, he said staff want a fair deal which reflects the increases being felt amid the cost of living crisis, particularly in rural areas.

Alistair Bell outside the Inverness Town House. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

He said: “We are looking for a fair wage for the job that we do.

“The lengths that teachers go to under normal conditions are above and beyond but when Covid came along, it was exponential. They were out there making sure their children got the best education possible, to try and give them that continuity, and it is only fair that they get a fair wage for the work they do.

“We have noticed, because we are rural and Highlands, the prices in the rural shops have gone up a huge amount. They seem to change most weeks.”

Mr Bell added: “We don’t want to see the kids’ education impacted but it has come to this because of procrastination at a government level.”

Teachers from across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are taking part in an EIS Union rally at the Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen, as part of the strike action. Image: Kami Thomson / DC Thomson.

Paula McEwan, national vice president for EIS, echoed his statements but said she was heartened by the turnout.

She added: “We had no option. Striking is always a measure of last resort.

“Our bills have gone up the same as everyone else’s. Our fuel costs have gone up the same as everyone else and our food bills are soaring. Teachers aren’t a grade apart.

“We are in the public sector and we are being impacted the same way as other public sector workers. We are a graduate profession and we deserve a pay that reflects that.

Paula McEwan. national vice president of EIS said she was heartened by the turnout. Image: Sandy McCook/ DC Thomson.

“Across the country, the strength of feeling and the numbers on picket lines has been phenomenal. I have been heartened by the strength of the feelings on picket lines and by the number of people out on picket lines.”

Highland supply teacher Fraser Szymborski-Welsh joined the picket line with his 11-month-old daughter Sula.

He is campaigning for a 10% wage rise to help secure his child’s future.

However, he hopes the matter will be resolved without the need for further strike action.

He said: “The cost of putting the baby to the nursery is going up and up and a big reason why I am here is because of the cost-of-living crisis, trying to get a little bit more for this one’s future.

Fraser Szymborski- Welsh, a supply teacher in the Highlands, says he wants to see the 10% wage rise enforced to help him provide a better future for his daughter Sula. Image: Sandy McCook/ DC Thomson.

“They are constantly taking things away from teachers and taking them away from the classroom and it’s just getting harder and harder to be a teacher.

“I hope that we don’t have to strike again because being a family person myself, I know how difficult it is when you have got a strike on. I hope today is taken note of and there is no need for any further strikes.”

Margaret McLean, 31, a teacher at Inverness Royal Academy, says she feels bad for her senior students who are feeling the strain amidst the disruption.

She said: “It would be nice to not have any more strike days. I have senior students who are being increasingly disrupted. It is not great.

“I do feel bad for them. It does cause disruption, it is not our first choice.”

North-east teachers say ‘enough is enough’

Meanwhile, around 300 teachers from across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire gathered at the Beach Ballroom to demand “the pay that they deserve for their dedication, hard work and commitment”.

Union executives addressed the crowds with the words “enough is enough” as the room filled with flags and banners erupted in shouts and applause.

Simon Watson, from the Aberdeen Trades Union Council, praised the “inspiring” strike, saying it stands teachers in a “phenomenal” position to win the dispute.

The Beach Ballroom was filled with flags and banners as teachers demanded better pay. Image: Kami Thomson / DC Thomson.

Stuart Brown, national officer for further education for EIS and a former teacher at Fraserburgh Academy, highlighted the “disrespectful attitude” teachers have been facing for years.

“I wish I had a tenner for every ‘lazy teacher bashing’ that I have heard since I entered the profession at Fraserburgh Academy,” he said.

“For every time someone has said ‘What are you moaning about? You only work until 3.30pm.’ or ‘What are you moaning about? Look at all those holidays you have’ or ‘What are you moaning about? You only look after bairns.’

Stuart Brown addressing the crowds. Image: Kami Thomson / DC Thomson.

“That sort of negative view of the profession, that disrespectful and dismissive attitude is pervasive out there and it is high time that society fully valued the essential work that you do.

“Your pay has declined year on year for over a decade, while the demands of your working life have only increased in that time.

“More and more demands, more and more expected, more and more challenges – and what is that worth to Cosla and the Scottish Government.

“It’s time that they grew a backbone and stood up for teachers. They need to take progressive decisions and stop playing politics with people’s lives.”