School staff balloted on strike action after fire concerns

Staff at an East Dunbartonshire secondary school are being balloted on strike action over "serious health and safety concerns".

A fire safety report published in November found there was a substantial risk to life from fire at Lenzie Academy and fire exits were not easily openable.

An indicative ballot saw 95% of EIS members vote in favour of industrial action, prompting the union to open a formal ballot until 30 January.

East Dunbartonshire Council said the fire report issues were being addressed in order of priority, with many already fixed, and the health and safety of staff and pupils was paramount.

The council's chief executive Ann Davie said: "Any strike action is regrettable and we will continue to work with all parties to do everything we can to avoid disruption to pupils' learning.

"It is important to stress that the school remains safe for pupils, teachers and staff to occupy."

The EIS said its members had "repeatedly raised urgent concerns about the safety of the school environment".

It said there had been a lack of meaningful action from the local authority.

EIS area officer Bora Oktas said: "The employer has been fully aware of the fire safety risks at Lenzie Academy for months - risks that their own assessment describes as a 'substantial risk to life.'

"Yet, broken fire doors remain unrepaired and staff are saying the situation has not improved.

"Strike action is always a last resort, but this is about protecting pupils and staff from unacceptable risks."

Plans to replace the school building, which has a roll of over 1,300 pupils, have been ongoing since 2021.

The council recently selected Whitegates Park as the new site, but the decision provoked protests from local campaigners over the potential loss of greenspace.