Teachers reject five per cent pay offer

Teachers across Scotland have overwhelmingly rejected a pay offer from council body Cosla.

It brings members of teaching union the EIS a step close to striking.

Cosla had proposed a five per cent pay increased across all grades, and offer which the union recommended members reject.

After an online ballot, 94 per cent of EIS members voted against the offer, while 90 per cent also indicated willingness for strike action.

EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said the ballot demonstrated “Cosla and the Scottish Government must do better”.

She added: “The current offer of five per cent represents a real-terms pay cut of seven per cent for teachers, yet employers have lauded this as a generous proposal.

“Our members are acutely aware of the soaring cost of living and are feeling its damaging impact on themselves and their families. This is unacceptable. Now Cosla and the Scottish Government need to fix it.”

The union’s executive committee met earlier today to begin preparations for a ballot on industrial action.

Such a move would see schools across Scotland closed.

The announcement comes after school closures were narrowly avoided at the start of the month after other school staff, including catering and teaching assistants, accepted a fresh pay deal as part of wider negotiations with local government workers.

Cosla has been contacted for comment.