THE Scottish government can’t just pretend it has no responsibility for industrial action in schools, the Unison union said today after the First Minister called for an end to strikes.

Non-teaching staff who are members of Unison rejected the latest pay deal, which would have seen an increase of 67p per hour or 3.6 per cent.

To put pressure on the Scottish government, members singled out John Swinney’s Perthshire North constituency for action, picketing outside his office. 

In a letter to Unison branch secretary Stuart Hope, the FM described the action targeting his constituents as “completely unfair.”

He said that while the Scottish government has “no formal role in these pay negotiations,” it had identified an extra £77.5 million for local government pay. 

But Unison Scotland local government lead David O’Connor said: “The Scottish government is ultimately in charge of spending and must play its role in resolving the dispute, along with [council umbrella body] Cosla.

“Mr Swinney can’t just pretend it has nothing to do with him or his ministers. We need the First Minister to talk with us, not at us.”

Mr O’Connor said that striking was the only option the workers had left.