are set to ballot members on strike action, both claiming that the Scottish Government has reneged on promises made earlier in its parliamentary term.

Professor John Robertson OBA

So, two groups, teachers and young doctors might strike in the future but haven’t even had a vote yet? Wouldn’t this be the news if they have already voted to strike or not to strike?

What’s the rush?

Well, obviously and firstly, the SNP Conference is already under way and some bad news is needed to report on instead of what the governing party might promise the electorate for the May 2026, Scottish election.

Second, they need to get out bad news now in case, as often before, these two groups do not vote for strike action.

What’s the evidence we might use to judge what might happen?

When did Scottish junior or resident doctors last go on strike? From Grok AI:

Scottish junior doctors voted to strike in 2023 but ultimately did not proceed, as the action planned for 12-15 July 2023 was suspended following a 12.4% pay offer accepted by BMA members. This averted the first-ever junior doctors’ strike in Scotland. No strikes have occurred since, despite recent ballots and negotiations.

English junior doctors have been on strike for 54 days since 2007, cancelling thousands of operation and leading to unknown numbers of deaths. There have been none in Scotland in the same period.

When did Scottish teachers last go on strike?

The last strike by Scottish teachers occurred on February 20, 2025, when members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) union in Glasgow walked out over planned education budget cuts, including the loss of hundreds of teaching posts. This initial one-day action was suspended shortly after when the council agreed to reverse the cuts and restore teacher numbers to 2023 levels. Prior to this, the most recent strikes were part of a pay dispute in early 2023, including national actions on February 28 and March 1.

So, on balance, strikes by these two groups are rare and unlikely such that you might think it’s worth waiting to find out what happens before making a fuss, unless, of course, you have an ulterior motive.

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