Pupils 'at risk' during walk-out

Teachers will not be involved in the strike on Wednesday

Perth and Kinross Council has been accused of gambling with the safety of children by opening schools during a strike by local authority workers.

All primary and secondary schools will be open during Wednesday's walkout. However, they closed when similar action was taken last month.

The Unison union said it had concerns about first aid cover, fire safety, cleanliness and reporting absences.

The council said health and safety had been fully considered.

Teachers will not be involved in the industrial action by Unison, GMB and Unite staff on Wednesday, but many school support staff will be.

'Inadequate staff'

Wilma Armstrong, Unison branch secretary for Perth and Kinross, said: "We're concerned because the council has absolutely no idea which members of staff are going to strike and which members of staff are not.

"So they're basically gambling with the safety of other people's children in the event that there's going to be inadequate staff available to supervise the children.

"Also, and parents should be wary of this, if they discover they don't have enough staffing levels in schools, the children may well have to be sent home anyway and we feel that this could cause the parents more inconvenience than if the council had just shut the schools."

A council spokesperson said: "We have carefully considered the health and safety aspect when making the decision to open primary and secondary schools and we have consulted with the Health and Safety Executive who are satisfied with the arrangements we are putting in place."