Teaching union raises hopes of deal to end strike action
The EIS is waiting on a new pay offer in writing
Last updated 3rd Mar 2023
Working parents across Scotland have their fingers crossed that today's the day the teachers pay row could be settled with the biggest union hinting a deal is close.
The head of the EIS, says they're within touching distance of a settlement and are waiting for a fresh offer to be put down in writing, and raising the prospect of strike action being suspended
It follows a meeting of the Extended Joint Chairs of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, which brings together the unions, representatives from the local authority group COSLA and officials from the Scottish Government.
More strike action
The union is set to begin a new phase of rolling local strikes on a council-by-council basis from the 13th of March, with strikes targeting the constituencies of key figures, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville and the Deputy First Minister John Swinney, from Tuesday 7th.
EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “The EIS welcomed the opportunity to get around the negotiating table to formally discuss an improved pay offer to Scotland’s teachers.
“We want to see this dispute settled, to enable industrial action to be halted in schools across Scotland and to allow teachers get back to doing what they wish to be doing - working with children and young people in classrooms.”
Strikes could be suspended
Ms Bradley continued, “Following some useful informal discussions this week that took us within touching distance of a possible settlement, it is now for the Scottish Government and COSLA to deliver a new pay offer to Scotland’s teachers that can get an agreement over the line.
“Once we have a revised offer in writing, it will be considered through the democratic structures of our union.
It will be for members elected to our Salaries committee to consider any new offer, and for members elected to our Executive committee to then consider any implications for the current programme of strike action.”
Ultimately, should a suitably improved offer be received that we can credibly put to our members, strike action would be suspended to allow for consultation, and it would then be for members to decide whether to accept that offer.”