Teaching union to ballot on strike action after no new pay deal offered

Scotland’s largest teaching union has indicated that it will proceed with balloting members over strike action after no fresh pay offer was made.

Last week, EIS warned local authority umbrella body Cosla and the Scottish Government that teachers would vote over whether to take strike action if an improved deal was not put forward.

Members voted to reject the latest pay offer -– a series of rises worth 9 per cent by April, plus a 3 per cent rise next year – by 57 per cent .

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said that following a meeting of the extended joint chairs group of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers yesterday, the union would continue with plans to issue a ballot.

“Regrettably, no new offer was made and so the EIS will continue moving towards a statutory strike ballot which will open on Monday next week,” he said.

“The lack of any new offer is unfortunate following last week’s more positive discussions. It will be disappointing if the Scottish Government and Cosla spurn the oppor- tunity to avoid industrial action, but once again it looks as though EIS members are going to have to demonstrate just how deep the discontent within Scottish education has become.”

Mr Flanagan added that although pay is an issue, excessive workloads, a lack of support for teachers with pupils with additional support needs, paperwork, growing class sizes, a lack of resources and teacher stress were also factors in the decision.

“No-one wants industrial action, but Scotland’s teachers feel compelled to make a stand,” he said.