School closures possible as strike action planned

We are approaching another period of uncertainty with our schools and early years’ settings with national strike action planned for 6,7 and 8 September. This could potentially force closure of some, or all, of our schools and early years settings.

Education officials in Orkney are meeting on Monday afternoon to get a clearer picture of how each facility might be affected. They will provide updates after the meeting but, in the meantime, parents and carers are advised to plan for possible closures.

The unions – Unison and GMB – have said their members will strike on these three days after talks with CoSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities), the umbrella body for Local Government, failed to reach an agreement in relation to a national pay award for Local Government staff for 2022-23.

The unions represent workers including school catering staff, cleaners, caretakers, teaching assistants and early years practitioners.

The Council was notified of the planned dates of strike action on 23 August and the impact is being assessed for each facility as information becomes available.

Every effort will be made to minimise disruption, however if a significant proportion of staff opt to strike then it will be challenging to keep facilities open. We ask that you prepare for this possibility.

Where closures are required, remote learning will be provided.

Please be assured that we will advise as soon as we can of what is happening at each setting.