The council of Scotland’s largest teaching union has voted narrowly to reject a revised pay offer from local authorities, meaning that the first national teacher-led strike action since the 1980s remains a possibility.
A consultative ballot of EIS members will now be held on the offer, with a recommendation from the union’s council that it should be rejected. The EIS council also agreed that the ballot communication will reflect the range of opinions expressed, and arguments both for and against the offer, to help members “in making an informed decision.”
EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “Following today’s decision at council, it will now be for our members to decide on whether to accept or reject this revised offer.”
Earlier today, at a meeting in Edinburgh, local authorities body Cosla had backed the move by the Scottish government to improve a previous offer that had been rejected.
Teachers have demanded a 10 per cent rise to address years of pay erosion, but councils say they cannot afford this. The current offer would see 3 per cent rises in the current year as well as the next two years, and extra money to restructure wider salary scales.
Teacher pay dispute
Gail Macgregor, education spokeswoman for Cosla, said: “I am pleased that council leaders have agreed to present a revised proposal incorporating the additional monies made available by the Scottish government to the teaching unions.”
Ms Macgregor added: “We understand the teachers’ unions will now present this revised and enhanced offer to their members and we would strongly encourage its acceptance.”
The revised offer would mean a 3 per cent pay increase in 2018-19 for all grades up to a cap of £80,000, with a flat rate increase of £1,600 for salaries above that level.
There would also be a 3 per cent increase in 2019-20 for all posts, with a similar arrangement for the following year.
Cosla also agreed to support the Scottish government’s intention to restructure the wider pay scale and look at pay for promoted teachers, amid concerns over the recruitment and retention of teachers.
