Teachers to be balloted over pay offer

Teachers are to be balloted on the latest pay offer which they are being urged to reject.

Union leaders are campaigning for a 10% wage hike for teaching staff.

Teaching organisations have already rejected the offer of a 3% pay rise made last month, branding it “derisory”.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has announced it will ballot its members on the latest pay offer to teachers and associated professionals - and is urging them to reject it.

If the offer is rejected, the EIS said it will seek further negotiations within the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, and should these fail it is likely that an indicative ballot on industrial action will be held.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “An extremely angry EIS Salaries Committee has today taken the decision to open a consultative ballot of our members on the pay offer from the Scottish Government and COSLA.

“EIS Negotiators are very clear that this reheated offer, which has previously been rejected by all of the teaching unions on the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, is divisive and continues to undervalue teachers.

“The EIS is strongly recommending to our members that they send a very clear message by voting overwhelmingly to reject this offer.”

The ballot will open on October 29.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “The Scottish Government has worked with COSLA to put in place the best pay deal in the UK for 2018-19.

“This includes the Scottish Government contributing an additional £35 million for teachers pay. This will result in all teachers on the main grade scale receiving at least a 5% increase, with some teachers receiving up to 11% in one year in conjunction with annual progression.

“The offer matches or betters other offers in the public sector in Scotland, for example 6.5% for Police Officers over 31 months.

“We firmly believe that it is generous and fair and would encourage teachers to consider it favourably.

“The Scottish Government remains very happy to continue discussions with trade unions in securing a negotiated outcome.”

COSLA resources spokeswoman Councillor Gail Macgregor said: “I am deeply disappointed that the teaching unions will recommend rejection of what is a very fair offer of 3% in a one year deal - backdated to April in their proposed ballot

“When you compare this with the NHS in Scotland deal who have settled for 3% this year and the police deal of 6.5% over 31 months, during which no further pay award will be made, then you can see that the 10% claim by the teaching unions is and always was unrealistic.

“The offer on the table for the majority of teachers is the best in the public sector in Scotland and we would urge teachers to recognise this and vote to accept the deal."