CLYDEBANK secondary teachers and their council bosses have resolved their dispute and looks set to halt future strike action.

Teachers are to be balloted next week on the agreement in principle reached between West Dunbartonshire Council and the teaching union, EIS.

There were extended negotiations on Thursday after a deal was nearly reached on Monday night between management, the union and Labour councillors. But talks collapsed at the last minute and a 48-hour strike on Tuesday and Wednesday went ahead.

Further strikes could have been held in May and June as part of the fight that has dragging on since January.

Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the EIS, said: “Following talks we are pleased to have arrived at a situation where we are able to recommend to our members acceptance of a proposal which will see the vital role of subject Principal Teachers recognised within the new curriculum structure.

“EIS Members have shown a strong commitment throughout this campaign to achieve a model which will continue to deliver a high quality education to West Dunbartonshire pupils. These proposals will facilitate that.

“We are hopeful the proposal will be endorsed by our members who will be keen to get back to teaching and learning across West Dunbartonshire schools.”

The dispute has been running for months since the council tried to save £600,000 by removing depute heads from four of five high schools and slashing the number of principal teachers. It would also group different subjects into faculties managed by a single senior postholder. 

That faculty structure would have started this week but was paused while negotiations continued.

The deal reached Thursday will see a new curriculum leadership structure based on subject principal teachers instead of calling them faculties.

Laura Mason, chief education officer with the council, said: “I’m pleased we now have a proposal which takes account of the concerns raised on behalf of teachers, and will enable us to move forward together for our young people.

“Our teachers are fully committed to their roles and ensuring our young people attain and achieve, and I hope this proposal will allow us to resolve the dispute for the benefit of the young people of West Dunbartonshire.”

Councillor Michelle McGinty, convener of educational services, said: “It is a really positive step to have agreed a proposal with the aim of settling the dispute. That has always been the aim of everyone concerned. It is our hope that teachers will accept this joint proposal which strikes a balance between the Council’s strategy and the concerns of our teaching staff.”

The first strike action in 30 years started on January 12, followed by one on February 18 and a current work to rule. 

A 48-hour strike was called off in March after the union thought an agreement in principle had been reached, only for the final version to be substantially different.

In a letter last week to Labour councillors over the dispute, Mr Flanagan called the council's offer "educationally unjustifiable".

Teachers were off Tuesday and Wednesday in their first 48-hour walk-out and protested ouside of the council headquarters yesterday to add pressure for a deal.

The ballot will be held on Tuesday with the result expected to be announced on Thursday.