INVERCLYDE Council has confirmed that all schools and most local authority-run nurseries will be closed in the area next week due to planned strikes.

Earlier today, two trade unions suspended industrial action to ballot their memberships on a ‘credible’ new pay offer from local government body COSLA.

Unite and GMB have recommended that members accept the improved pay deal, which represents a minimum increase of £2,006 for those on the Scottish Local Government Living Wage – rising from £10.85 to £11.89 – and a minimum of £1,929 for those above from April 1.

However, the third union involved in the dispute, Unison, had already rejected the offer and announced last night that its members would walk out for three days next week.

A statement from Inverclyde Council said: "While some unions have notified the council that they will suspend their planned strike action next week, not all unions are suspending action.

"Therefore, the planned strike action for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week – September 26, 27 and 28 – will mean all council-run schools and nurseries will close.

"This is except for some standalone family centres whose staff were not balloted.

"Parents have been informed about the arrangements.

"Parents of children who are entitled to free school meals and a clothing grant will be given a payment, in lieu of school lunch, of £3 per strike day."

Key workers including janitors, cleaners, caterers, classroom assistants and administrative staff, are due to walk out.

The eight establishments that will not be impacted by the closures are:

  • Binnie Street Children’s Centre
  • Gibshill Children's Centre
  • Glenbrae Children's Centre
  • Glenpark Early Learning Centre
  • Hillend Children’s Centre
  • Larkfield Children's Centre
  • Rainbow Family Centre
  • Wellpark Children's Centre

The council said that there will be no provision of lunches during these three days and so parents have been asked to provide their child with a packed lunch.