David McLetchie urged Unison to safeguard vulnerable children

Scottish Conservative leader David McLetchie has called for continued care for vulnerable children if indefinite strike action goes ahead.

Nursery nurses said the work requires extra training and skills which are not reflected in their salaries.

They have backed an "all-out strike" as part of their pay dispute.

A majority of the 6,000 nurses balloted by unions voted to step up action.

Children with special educational needs were not exempted during previous short-term strikes.

Delegates meeting

That left their parents to find alternative childcare.

Now Mr McLetchie has argued that Unison should make a commitment that future strike action will not affect vulnerable children.

The union said it was still finalising its action plan and would not make any decisions until after a meeting of delegates next week.

Nursery nurses are seeking a pay rise

Nursery nurses said they support efforts to bring children with special needs into mainstream education, but that it requires extra training and skills which are not reflected in their salaries.

Unison is fighting for an increase in the basic pay for nursery nurses across Scotland.

The union has called for a minimum starting salary of �18,000, rising to �21,000 for a promoted post for all nursery nurses, who currently earn between �10,000 and �13,800.

Cosla argued that a national settlement was unworkable because nurses in different local authority areas have varying pay scales and gradings.

It said it was up to individual councils to set rates of pay, rather than the national organisation.