Teachers in Scotland will go on strike tomorrow, after no new pay offer was received in time to avert the action. Strike action scheduled for Wednesday will also take place.
The news was confirmed after a meeting this afternoon of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT), which brings together unions, local authorities and the Scottish government.
A spokesperson for the EIS, Scotland’s largest teaching union, told Tes Scotland: ”We told both the Scottish government and [local authorities body] Cosla that we would need to be in receipt of an improved offer ahead of the meeting today - that didn’t happen.
“Councils would also need sufficient notice to advise staff, pupils and parents.”
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: “The SNCT negotiating meeting, held today following a request from teacher unions, did not result in any new pay offer from the Scottish government and Cosla. This means that strike action - planned for Tuesday in primary schools and for Wednesday in secondary schools - will proceed as scheduled.”
Ms Bradley added: “It is disappointing, though not surprising, that no new offer was presented today, despite some positive progress in discussions. The union side remains willing to talk, at any time, with a view to reaching a resolution to this dispute.
“While it is now too late to halt this week’s strike action in schools, we hope that fresh talks may take place later this week to advance discussions towards an improved offer. Only a significantly improved offer from the Scottish government and Cosla can bring an end to this dispute.”
The EIS strike action tomorrow will involve members in primary schools, special schools and early years settings. Members of primary school leaders’ body AHDS are also taking strike action.
The following day, the EIS, joined by the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA), is due to stage further strike action in secondary schools and secondary special schools.
NASUWT Scotland union members in primary schools will also strike tomorrow while teachers in secondaries will walk out on Wednesday.
EIS members are also due to begin further strike action on Monday 16 January. This will take place over 16 consecutive days, with teachers in two local authorities walking out each day.
SSTA and NASUWT members went on strike for two days earlier this month while EIS members walked out on 24 November, the first national strike action over teacher pay in Scotland since 1984-85.
The latest offer going into today’s talks amounted to 5 per cent for most teachers and 6.85 per cent for probationers, although some higher earners would actually receive less than they were previously offered. Unions are campaigning for an offer of 10 per cent.
Discussions on Friday were described as “constructive and helpful” by education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville.
