No strikes at Glasgow schools after union ballot fails to get enough support

A union which balloted its members for strike action over plans to cut 450 teaching jobs in Glasgow has failed to reach a mandate.

Scotland’s largest teaching union, the EIS, had urged members to back industrial action, including strikes, to force the council to scrap its “damaging and dangerous proposals” last month.

The ballot, which closed on Tuesday, returned a 90% vote for strike action on a 46% turnout. Current legislation requires a 50% turnout.

Members also returned a 95% vote in favour of industrial action short of a strike.

The union said it was now considering potential next steps “in the fight to protect teaching jobs and education provision for young people in Glasgow”.

Glasgow City Council set out the cuts—which will reduce the number of MCR Pathways Coordinators by 50%—alongside its budget earlier this year, facing a £108m funding shortfall over the next three years.

The union warned that around 172 posts have already been lost across primary and secondary schools, with 125 lost throughout the previous school year.

It is feared that the latest cuts will predominantly impact children with additional support needs.

Commenting, EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: “The cuts that are already underway in Glasgow are massively damaging to the educational experiences of children and young people and to the working lives of teachers, and are set to grow worse in the years ahead with effectively 10% fewer teachers than there should be working in Glasgow City by 2027.

“Glasgow’s teachers have shown their clear desire to fight these cuts, working with trade union colleagues and parent groups across the City.

“Sadly, however, the draconian restrictions placed on trade union action by the previous Conservative government mean that, despite a 95% vote in favour action short of strike and 90% vote for strike action, for the time being, EIS members in Glasgow are currently blocked from engaging in industrial action on this issue.”

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: “Officers will continue to engage with our trade union colleagues and keep them updated on any developments.”