Teachers deserve ‘fair’ deal, education chief says

Scotland’s education secretary has said she supports a “fair pay offer” for teachers, as union leaders warn there may be school strikes in the autumn.

Shirley-Anne Somerville told Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) members she understands the desire for their efforts during the pandemic to be recognised with a pay rise – particularly in the face of a cost-of-living crisis.

Earlier, EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said teachers will be ready to strike this autumn if there is no satisfactory resolution.

Teachers have rejected a 2.2% pay increase from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), amid union demands for a 10% rise.

Addressing the EIS annual meeting in Dundee, Ms Somerville said: “I know the strength of feeling on this and indeed the strength of feeling right across the public sector, including the teaching workforce, and I recognise the desire by everyone for their efforts to be recognised by way of a pay rise.”

But she said she also understands the “financial challenges” facing local authorities and stressed a pay rise must be “affordable”.

Ms Somerville said: “While it is for the local government, as the employer, to make any revised pay offer, I am absolutely committed to supporting a fair pay offer for teachers and we will work with the Scottish negotiating committee for teachers to conclude these negotiations as quickly as possible.”

In his speech at the Caird Hall, Mr Flanagan said: “Cosla and the Scottish Government are on notice that come the autumn we will be strike-ready if required.”

In a similar message, union president Heather Hughes said teachers would “vacate classrooms” to demand change.