Another offer made in teacher pay dispute
The teacher strikes which have closed Renfrewshire schools on several occasions this year could come to an end as the Scottish Government makes another improved pay offer.
The proposal includes an increased offer of seven per cent for 2022/23, a five per cent rise from this April and a further two per cent rise in January 2024, to last until next August.
It brings the possible pay for the 2022/23 financial year closer to the teachers’demand of a 10 per cent uplift .
Yesterday, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said he was“optimistic”the new offer would be ratified by teacher unions the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and NASUWT.
Speaking on BBC Good Morning Scotland, Mr Swinney said all sides had come to a“moment of compromise”.
He added:“I’m very optimistic that we are in a position that we will be able to resolve the dispute in the course of today and to avoid any further disruption to education.”
Mr Swinney, however, warned the offer would come at a cost to other government departments, stating other projects and initiatives would have to be abandoned.
COSLA , the umbrella group for councils in Scotland who employ teachers, was due to meet to formally discuss the offer yesterday, while unions said they were looking forward to receiving a formal offer in writing.
Angela Bradley , general secretary of the EIS, also told Radio Scotland that Thursday’s informal discussions had “taken us within touching distance of a possible settlement”.
She said:“Our members have been committed to a resolution.
“Hopefully what comes across from employers will lead our members to be in a position where they believe that [abandoning strike action] is possible.”
Explaining the union could move quickly to consult members, Ms Bradley said this month’s industrial action would be halted if a credible offer was tabled.
The industrial action proposed includes a three-day strike across Renfrewshire schools, with teachers scheduled to abandon classrooms in primary schools March 20, secondary schools on March 22 and all schools on March 21.