New pay offer in bid to avoid strike

JOHN Swinney has made a desperate intervention to avoid a walk-out from teachers – offering them a 12 per cent multi-year rise.

Teachers look certain to strike for the first time in nearly four decades in Scotland after discussions between unions and the Scottish Government on a pay deal broke down.

Union chiefs are demanding an immediate 10 per cent rise for teachers – but Mr Swinney has so far refused to meet this.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) revealed this weekend that it will proceed with a ballot of members – recommending industrial action.

They propose a series of one-day walkouts in March, which would bring chaos to classrooms across Scotland and threaten school closures.

However, Mr Swinney has made a lastditch attempt to avoid strikes by offering teachers a 12 per cent rise over 15 months.

He said: ‘I made this proposal to the EIS on Thursday. It is an enhanced offer and I will ask Cosla to agree this and to formally offer it to unions after January 25. I believe this must be put to teachers for their consideration.

‘Industrial action is in no one’s interests, not least our children and young people.’

However, the EIS has said that it will move forward with plans for a ballot.

General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: ‘We have been negotiating for a year on a pay claim that was due to be settled last April. Teachers’ patience is now exhausted.’