Tier 4 restrictions imposed, Scottish government failures exposed

Workers’ action essential to win safe schools

Socialist Party Scotland statement

More than two million people in Scotland will from Friday be placed into the highest level of Covid lockdown.

Tier 4 will be applied to 11 local authority areas for a minimum of three weeks, including Glasgow and large parts of the west of Scotland.

All non-essential shops and retail will shut. As will cafes, pubs and restaurants. Workers are being told to work from home where at all possible.

Travel is restricted to the local authority area unless travelling for work or other essential reasons. 

The glaring and inexplicable exceptions are schools and education in general. 

With infection rates and deaths from Covid in Scotland at their highest levels since May, it is now clear that the decision to return schools without social distancing and then colleges and universities have been key factors in the increasing spread of coronavirus. 

The number of deaths from Covid-related illness in Scotland have now exceeded 5,000 people – a rate per million of 933 – which is among the highest in Europe. 

There is widespread disbelief among education staff as to the “official” claims that schools are no significant contributory factor to the spike in infections.

As of November 10, there were 30,000 primary and secondary pupils self-isolating. More than 2,800 school staff were also off work.

There are numerous examples of schools where hundreds of pupils are off school.

Yet the SNP-led Scottish government have ignored all the warnings that their policy, driven by a decade of cuts and a desire to reopen the economy, would contribute to virus spread.

As the Scottish secretary of the Fire Brigades Union Denise Chrsitie said in her speech to the STUC yesterday: “The decision to open up universities and colleges proved to be a disaster.

“In truth, we have schools in areas such as Glasgow and Clyde which are riven by staff shortages and by massive numbers of self-isolating pupils.

“We know from union surveys that cleaners, caterers, and support staff do not feel safe or equipped.

“The move to tier 4 will inevitably further heighten concerns over school safety and we call on the Scottish Government to consider a temporary return to blended, online or distance learning.”

Larry Flanagen, general secretary of the largest teachers’ union in Scotland the EIS, said: “The EIS is clear that, in areas that are now at Level 4, the current policy of keeping schools operating as normal on a full-time basis is at odds with delivering effective virus suppression.

“It is not only about the safety of schools themselves, it’s about the role of schools in terms of local community transmission.

“It’s difficult to imagine somewhere with more social mixing than schools and pupils and staff then go back into their communities and their homes and families.

Glasgow City Unison, who have many members working in schools and early years settings, commented in a statement: “The UNISON branch firmly believes that schools and early years establishments should not be fully operational during Level Four.

“We oppose the Scottish Government’s position of attempting to maintain current service arrangements. We and other trade unions are lobbying the Scottish Government on this matter.

“There needs to be fewer staff and pupils attending schools and early years establishments.

“There are a variety of possible arrangements to deliver this and Glasgow City Council needs to implement them.

“In the meantime, if groups of UNISON members believe that the current health and safety mitigations in their workplace are inadequate then please contact your UNISON Steward. There are several courses of action open to members in these circumstances.” 

The EIS have made clear that strike action will be considered to keep their members safe. But this welcome idea must now be turned into action.

On Friday this week the EIS national council is due to meet. They should make clear that a move to blended learning must happen in all Tier 4 areas as a minimum.

Blended learning models were prepared throughout the summer period and then dumped by the Scottish government in favour of returning all pupils to school. 

Blended leaning can therefore be introduced quickly into educational settings. 

As well as organising strike ballots in all affected Tier 4 areas, active consideration should be given to using section 44 of the 1996 Employment Rights Act which allows workers to refuse to go to work where their health and safety is bring compromised.

For example a collective decision not to attend work by teachers and other school staff would apply enormous pressure on the Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney et al to agree to a form of blended learning. 

Appeals to the Scottish government will not be enough.

There is enormous anger among teachers and education staff. The trade unions, and the EIS in particular, should play the key role in turning that anger into action.

And to send a message to the politicians that there will be no let up in the fight protect pupils, staff, their families and the wider community from the further damaging spread of Covid-19.