EIS members call 3.5% teacher pay offer 'profoundly disappointing'
The union is likely to reject the offer and ballot members on the possibility of industrial action
Members of Scotland’s largest teaching union are likely to be balloted on industrial action.
The EIS has called a revised 3.5% pay offer “profoundly disappointing” and “an insult” to teachers.
Its salaries committee is likely to formally recommend rejecting the deal at a meeting next week, with members then asked to vote on the possibility of industrial action.
The latest in a series of strikes and threats of industrial action
The union rejected a 2.2% pay offer in June, with the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers submitting a 10% pay claim on behalf of the profession.
It comes as other council workers across Scotland threaten strikes in pay disputes.
On Thursday, waste and recycling workers in Edinburgh began an 11-day strike during the city's busy festival period.
"Teachers deserve to be paid fairly for the vital work that they do"
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: "The revised 3.5% offer to teachers, made today by Cosla, is profoundly disappointing and likely to be seen by our members as insulting.
"Teachers deserve to be paid fairly for the vital work that they do but are again being offered a deep real-terms pay cut by their employers.
"With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to worsen, and with inflation now at over 10% and still rising, it is simply unjust that teachers as essential public sector workers would be expected to bear the brunt of this.
"Cosla and the Scottish Government must commit to delivering a fair pay deal for Scotland's teachers - one that is much improved from this current offer.
"The EIS has written to members today to update them on this paltry offer, and to outline the next steps to be taken in pursuit of a fair pay settlement."
The EIS salaries committee is due to meet on Thursday next week.