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Western Isles teachers and lecturers to strike                23/11/11
Teachers and lecturers in the Western Isles will join teaching colleagues and fellow public sector workers in a day of industrial action on Wednesday 30 November.  

The Day of Action, which is part of a joint trade union campaign across the UK, is in protest at the government’s plan to impose changes to pension schemes which would result in a real-terms pay cut of more than 8% for teachers, lecturers and other public sector workers.  This comes on top of a current two year pay freeze and other suggested cuts to terms and conditions for teachers.

EIS Western Isles local secretary Richard Fraser said: “We do not want to strike – this will be the first national strike action by teachers and lecturers for a quarter of a century – but we have been driven to this by continuing cuts to public services and sustained attacks on the living standards of public sector workers.”

He added: “We hope that parents, students and the wider community in the Western Isles will understand that we are taking this action as a last resort.  

“Teachers and lecturers are continuing to do their best to provide a quality education for learners under very difficult conditions, but now their goodwill is being eroded by continuing attacks on their employment terms and conditions.  

“The latest government attack – on pension provision – would force all teachers and lecturers to pay more, work longer, and get less in the end for their pension.

“One effect for all teachers would be an average 3.2% cut in their pay due to increased employee pension contributions.  At a time of rampant inflation of more than 5%, this would equate to a real-terms pay cut of well over 8% for every teacher and lecturer in Scotland.”

Mr Fraser continued: “We are taking this Day of Action in defence of public services and those who work in these services.  We believe that our schools, colleges and universities and our pupils and students deserve the best.  

“But this cannot be delivered on the cheap; there must be proper investment in our public services and fair pay and conditions, including pensions, for the public sector workers who deliver them.  

“We hope that parents and the community in the Western Isles will support us in our Day of Action and our campaign to protect public services in the Outer Hebrides and across the country.”