Murdo has said that the First Minister “can’t avoid all responsibility” for the school strikes in Perth and Kinross.
He recently raised the issue of the strikes by UNISON school support workers in the region, which began on October 21. The union says focusing the action on First Minister John Swinney’s constituency will emphasise the importance of finding a ‘fair settlement’ to end the pay dispute.
Speaking during First Minister’s Questions, Murdo said: “Parents across Perth and Kinross are very concerned and shocked by the decision by UNISON to strike for two weeks, resulting in schools closing at the end of the Autumn holiday for a further fortnight. This action is being deliberately targeted at the First Minister’s constituency and it will impact on young people, many of whom have already had their schooling disrupted by Covid.
“UNISON are taking this action after seeing similar pay rises for other workers already being awarded but school pupils are caught in the crossfire. What are the Scottish Government doing to prevent this damaging action taking place?”
And Murdo added following FMQs: “It was understandable to hear the First Minister show his anger at this strike action. However, he cannot avoid all responsibility for this situation. It was his SNP Government which decided to give above-inflation pay rises to other public sector workers, which UNISON now say they just want to match.
“The SNP awarded junior doctors with a 17.5% pay rise over two years while nurses were given a 5.5% increase and council staff will receive 4.3%. This led to Finance Secretary Shona Robison stating that ‘emergency spending controls’ were required to deal with the impact of the public sector pay rises.”
Murdo continued: “This strike is very damaging to children in Perth and Kinross. It is incumbent on the Scottish Government to engage in talks with UNISON.”
