South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has said the Scottish Government must take action and give school staff the pay they deserve, after Unison members backed industrial action in 24 of the 32 councils areas, including Dumfries and Galloway, South Lanarkshire and South Ayrshire.

The strike will involve catering, cleaning, pupil support, admin and janitorial staff in schools and early years centres.

Unison members rejected an average pay increase of 5.5 per cent.

Colin Smyth said: “Our school staff are the glue which keep our schools and early years centres running and let’s be clear, not one of them wants to go on strike but they feel like they’ve got no choice.

“The cost of living crisis, following on from the years of misery during the pandemic, have brought many of our public services to their knees.

“I have stood on many picket lines in solidarity with workers these past few years and I will continue to fully support those who feel they must go on strike.

“We must stand up for public services and I would urge the government to take on board what the unions are telling them and start paying our amazing school staff a decent wage, that is the only thing which will prevent more disruption.”