Teachers get final pay offer in last-ditch bid to halt strike action

SCOTLAND’S teachers were yesterday offered a final pay deal in a last-minute bid to halt potentially crippling strike action.

Education Secretary John Swinney yesterday said they had been offered ‘a better deal than for any group of public sector workers in the UK’.

It will mean all those earning up to £80,000 receive a 3 per cent pay rise backdated to the start of this financial year, then further 3 per cent awards in each of the next two years.

In one change signed off yesterday, head teachers earning more than £80,000 will be offered a 3 per cent increase in 2019-20 and 2020-21, after their rises were previously set to be capped at £1,600 for all three years.

Nicola Sturgeon insisted she is ‘optimistic’ that there can be an

‘Remain in constructive talks’

agreement and said it was in ‘nobody’s interest’ to strike.

But trade unions had demanded a 10 per cent pay rise and are now set to consider whether to hold a ballot on strike action at the end of this week.

Following yesterday’s talks, Mr Swinney said: ‘This is a better deal than for any group of public sector workers in the UK and we urge the teaching unions to put this to their members for approval.

‘We are engaging positively with the unions and discussions will continue this month.’

Cosla resources spokesman councillor Gail Macgregor said: ‘These are private on-going negotiations and we wouldn’t wish to discuss any detail until our staff have been informed first.

‘The good news is that talks continue and we remain in constructive dialogue in a bid to find a solution.’