Scots schools and nurseries to close with more bin strikes on the way as council pay dispute escalates

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1. Scotland: Unions condemn councils and head teachers for opening schools on strike days

2. Scotland: Which schools are closed and when during strikes?

3. Parents told schools and nurseries will shut next week despite First Minister's pay row talks

THE COUNCIL pay row is to escalate with the closure of schools and nurseries across Scotland after the Deputy First Minister insisted there is "no more money" to fund pay rises that could end the dispute.

The waste staff strikes entered their final day yesterday (Wednesday) in 13 council areas after talks between John Swinney and union leaders failed to make any breakthrough on Tuesday afternoon over an improved 5% pay deal.

No scheduled meetings were were in place with unions yesterday to try and end the impasse - after a series of discussions with John Swinney and the local government group COSLA after some two weeks of strikes by council bin workers.