Alex meets with Teaching Unions on School Closures

Parents across West Edinburgh have been in contact with local MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton to express deep concern about the ongoing disruption to learning caused by the teacher strikes.

Alex has taken these concerns directly to EIS union leaders who he met with during one of the recent strike days. The talks revealed that the Scottish Government seem to have no intention of moving from their current position, and the strikes may well be set to continue.

Alex said: “This generation of learners have had it harder than any other. With nearly 2 years of disruption caused by the pandemic they now face weeks of disruption caused by the strikes. I know that teachers don’t want this, but they have been left with no choice- In real terms they aren’t even asking for a pay rise, just a more manageable pay cut.

"I have pointed out to the government that were they to end national testing of 5 year olds and abandon their ministerial takeover of social care they could save over a £Billion. This could help fund meaningful pay increases across the public sector.”