Nursery nurses want a �4,000 pay rise

Further strikes are planned by nursery nurses despite a move by councils to re-evaluate their job description and salaries.

Industrial action by nursery nurses in Scotland began more than five weeks ago following a two-year campaign seeking a review of status and pay.

They told their employers they felt undervalued and called for a �4,000 pay rise.

More strikes are planned for nurseries which remain open over the summer, with union negotiators warning the proposed review would not be wide-ranging enough.

'Justified' pay increase

The body which represents local authorities in Scotland, Cosla, said councils value the work nursery nurses do and fully recognise their changing role.

But after high level talks, councillors from across Scotland agreed to continue with their current approach to the dispute.

They said they had no objection to nursery nurses being awarded higher pay - if higher pay was justified.

A working group has been set up to analyse the current job description of a nursery nurse and attach a value to it.

The public service union Unison refused to take part in the process.

It said it was told there was not enough money available.

And it claimed the job evaluation being carried out by councils will only consider the basic nursery nurse post.

More walkouts have been scheduled for Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire nurseries this week, while further strike action is planned for Glasgow next week.