All schools and nurseries in East Dunbartonshire are to be shut for four days as part of a"summer of discontent" strike plan over terms and conditions cuts including slashing staff holidays.

It is a move that has meant some end of term church services cancelled and end of year events and balls postponed including end of primary school P7 celebrations.

Some parents have complained about the timing of the strike as they make urgent child care arrangements. 

Members of the Unison, Unite and GMB trade unions will strike on June 21, 22, 25 and 26 over proposed cuts to workers’ terms and conditions.

Over 1000 Unison members last month voted for strike action in the dispute over what the union called an "attack on terms and conditions by the Liberal Democrat/Conservative-controlled council".

Unison warns of 'summer of discontent' after strike vote

That would mean three days cut from holiday entitlement; scrapping of enhanced overtime rates; reducing the time when unsocial hours payments apply and slashing the payments to employees who volunteer for redundancy.

The Herald:

It came after hundreds GMB workers in East Dunbartonshire last month voted for strike action over the same dispute in what the union said was the authority's "latest instalment of austerity shame"

In a statement East Dunbartonshire Council said: "In an effort to avoid strike action the Council made a further offer to the Trades Unions this morning to allow further time for negotiation on the areas being identified as of most concern.

"To enable those further negotiations the strike would need to be suspended.

"Regrettably the trades unions declined this further offer and their strike action will go ahead as planned on 21, 22, 25, & 26 June.

"Unfortunately, all Council early years facilities and schools will be closed for each of the four days of action as we cannot guarantee the health and safety of our pupils during the strike action.

"Kelvinbank Adult Day Care Centre will also be closed on these four days. 

"Further information on wider service delivery and public facilities will be confirmed during this afternoon as details are finalised."

East Dunbartonshire council workers vote for strike action in austerity row

Parents have bombarded the council with complaints on social media over the timing of the stoppage, coming a week before the schools break up for the summer.

Linda Cunningham said:  I truly have no issue with workers standing up for their rights and I believe that everyone should be paid fairly for the work they do. Even if that means taking industrial action. 

"However, I have to say that the timing of these strikes is shocking. There are P7 children all over East Dumbartonshire who will miss out on all the end of primary school P7 celebrations. Something they will never get back.

"To say nothing of the families who will struggle to provide care for their children right before the school holidays."

Chris Gilmour added: "EDC you are an absolute shambles of an organisation!

"There are kids in p7 who are going to have the memories of their last days at school ruined somewhat because they can't have their leavers services, hoodies signed etc. I hope the chief officers are hanging their heads in shame but I very much doubt it!"

Lisa Mcdougall said: "My p7 and other two children will now miss their school disco and also their leavers performance. It is disgusting that it is the kids that suffer.

"I have no sympathy now whatsoever. It is disgusting that children have to suffer due to money!."

Others supported the workers' cause.

Gerald Millar said: "This apology of a council have had plenty of time to agree a settlement,the timing could be better, but I hope the employees succeed."

Simon Macfarlane, Unison regional organiser, said: "Having voted by 93% margin to take strike action, Unison is implementing our members' decision to stand up to the devastating cuts they are facing.

"Our members don't want to take strike action but they have been left with no choice."