A UNION has announced that school staff in Inverclyde are set to walk out in two weeks’ time as a dispute over local government pay rages on.

Unison has today served notice of further action in the district on November 1, with schools in Glasgow City, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire also affected.

The move comes after more than 21,000 people took part in three days of strike action in September. All schools in Inverclyde were closed as a result.

The latest strike on November 1 will serve as the first part of a rolling programme of action due to take place in the coming weeks.

Unison says further dates in other local authorities will be announced in due course.

Johanna Baxter, head of local government at Unison Scotland, said: “The strength of feeling amongst Unison school staff, who voted overwhelmingly to reject Cosla’s latest pay offer, is clear for all to see both in terms of ballot votes and the number of people on picket lines across Scotland.

“We’ve also seen a surge in Unison membership. That’s a testament to the strength of local government workers’ resolve to continue their fight for fair pay.

“The union is committed to resolving this dispute as soon as possible.

“Cosla and the Scottish Government are urged to get back round the negotiating table to explore every avenue to reach a settlement and avoid further disruption for parents and students.”

The union’s local government committee chair Mark Ferguson added: “No one takes the decision to strike lightly.

“I’m a parent myself, so I understand the disruption strikes cause.

“But if wages don’t rise, school staff will leave for other jobs beyond education that pay significantly more. That would be a disaster and would help no one.”