Striker Carol Ball set the record straight on the unity of the workers in the walkout. Only about 300 of the 5,000 nurses who took strike action have signed contracts, she told the crowd. This is in contrast to media reports claiming that nine out of 32 local authorities have settled, suggesting a weakening of the strike.

The nurses are demanding a pay rise of around £4,000 per year (£1 = US$1.80), along with a review of the grading system that determines pay and benefits. The workers, who look after children of 3-5 years of age, explain that since 1988—the time of the last pay review—they have faced a considerable increase in workload and responsibilities.

Over the past 10 months, these nurses have built up to the Scotland-wide work stoppage with a series of one- and two-day strikes. They have also boycotted additional duties at work, and organized protests to build public support, especially among parents of nursery-age children.

The union’s decision to move to all-out strike action was prompted by the refusal of the bosses, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA), to negotiate a national settlement, and their insistence that local negotiations are the only way forward.

In February, 81 percent of Unison members who sent in their ballots voted in favour of all-out strike action.

The strikers are gaining some support from other unions. Speaking at the rally, Fire Brigades Union national executive council member John McDonald said that collections at fire stations around the country had totaled £13,000 for the strike.

Four days later strikers and supporters took their struggle to the streets of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, with a march of 800 people.  
 
 
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