LONDON, June 20 /PRNewswire/ --

EMBARGOED: Not for publication before 00:01 BST on Friday June 20

- Att'n: Scotland Editors

Administration staff working for Scotland's biggest teaching union are to strike today (Friday 20th June) over management's failure to secure a pay settlement which should have been paid from 1st April 2008.

The 32 Unite members at the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) were forced to ballot for industrial action and were to begin a continuous overtime ban when management came back with a final offer of a five year pay deal.

The deal was not in line with the real rising cost of living (as measured by the RPI). Staff rejected it, voting 100% in favour of a strike.

The EIS executive meeting, which was due to take place at their headquarters in Murray Place tomorrow, has now been moved to a hotel to avoid managers crossing the picket line. This decision has angered some members of the executive, who now plan to boycott the meeting in support of the Unite members.

Tony Trench, Unite Regional Official said: "Our members didn't want to have to resort to strike action and it is highly embarrassing to have to go to these extents with a sister union just to get a decent wage for our members.

"Staff are now observing a continuous overtime ban, which started on Tuesday. All they are asking for is a decent increase in line with the 4.3% inflation rate."

Members will be on the picket line outside EIS headquarters at Murray Place, Edinburgh from 8am until 5pm.

There will also be a protest of members outside the executive meeting at the Roxburgh Hotel, Edinburgh.

Tony Trench will be on the picket line with members and will be available to interview on the day.

Notes to editors:

The 5-year offer made to administration staff was: 2008/09 2.8% 2009/10 2.5% 2010/11 2.4% or movement to RPI in year to December 09, whichever is greater 2011/12 Teachers Award (restrictions may apply) 2012/13 Teachers Award (restrictions may apply)

For further information please contact: Jody Whitehill, Unite Press Officer on +44(0)20-7420-8938 or +44(0)7768-693956