ABOUT 400 workers at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) have taken strike action as a long-running pay dispute escalates.

Unite union members at the SQA held the first of two planned 24 hour walk-outs today.

They have already been taking action short of strike, including an overtime ban, since February 16.

Administrators, managers, processors and researchers at the authority had overwhelmingly backed strike action by 72 per cent after rejecting a 5.75 per cent pay offer in 2023 and 3.15 per cent in 2024 — a real-terms pay cut.

Unite industrial officer Alison Maclean said the union “has attempted to resolve this dispute through negotiation for months. 

“Let’s be clear that the blame for this situation lies both with the SQA and the Scottish government who are the ultimate paymasters.

“Both should be under no illusions that months of industrial action will create a major impact on the coursework marking and external verification process.”

In a solidarity visit to a picket line in Glasgow, STUC general secretary Roz Foyer told strikers: “When you come together you can win and you can make a difference and you deserve a decent pay rise.

“The whole trade union movement will be backing you and we will be doing everything we can to make the points to government, to make the point to SQA bosses: Enough is enough, get the pay on the table and pay these workers now.” 

An SQA spokesperson said: “Unite’s request for a one-year deal isn’t new and would breach public-sector pay policy which we are required to adhere to, along with other public bodies.”

A Scottish government spokesperson added: “While this is a matter for SQA as the employer, the Scottish government remains in close contact with them and has strongly encouraged resolution talks to resume.”