Strike hits majority of schools

MOST schools in Shetland will stay closed on Wednesday as council workers stage a 24 hour strike over pay.
The schools remaining open for the first day of term are:

• Skerries School
• Burravoe Primary School
• Fair Isle Primary School
• Fetlar Primary School
• Foula Primary School
• Lunnasting Primary School
• Sandness Primary School

Meanwhile, Uyeasound Primary School will be holding a half day, remaining open for pupils until lunchtime.
Whalsay School and Ollaberry Primary had planned to close anyway for an in-service day.

All other schools will remain closed, as janitors, classroom assistants and other workers involved with schools’ day to day running – though not teachers – walk out in protest. The Janet Courtney Hostel in Lerwick will also remain closed.

Union leaders say workers will struggle to cope with the rising cost of living if they accept a below-inflation 2.5 per cent pay increase over each of the next three years.