Moray Unison ballots school staff on strike action
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School staff in Moray are being balloted on whether they should take industrial action over pay and conditions.
Cleaners, caterers and support staff across Scotland could walk out if they vote to strike.
The ballot is being run by local government union Unison.
It comes after members rejected a 5% pay offer from local government organisation Cosla.
Moray branch secretary Karen Donaldson stated that she would be "surprised" if workers did not vote to strike.
She said: "Moray Council has pushed them to breaking point.
For the people of Moray our members were willing to go that extra mile, but that’s been lost now because they feel they’re constantly being dropped from a high height.
"It’s an injustice. They’re valuing people differently.
"It’s shocking and people have just had enough."
Ms Donaldson added the 5% offer would amount to "pennies" more an hour for workers.
Unison is instead calling for a 12% pay rise, and an increase in mileage payments to align members with those in the NHS.
Primary school and nursery office workers in Moray are facing job losses, cuts to their hours and downgrading of roles as part of a council review.
In May members protested outside the local authority’s headquarters over the staff consultation, which is part of a cost cutting move.
The results of the consultation are expected to come before elected members in the next few weeks.
The national ballot will close on Friday, August 25.
If staff vote to strike there could be mass school closures across Scotland during September.
A spokesperson for Moray Council said: “The council is awaiting notification from the unions regarding the results from the ballot,"
