Union says revised offer is "An Insult" to Scotland's teachers as strike action is confirmed
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The EIS has condemned the Scottish Government and COSLA for presenting a revised pay offer to teachers that offers no tangible improvement on their previously rejected offers.
Following three months of delay, and the promise of an improved offer to teachers, the offer that was presented on Tuesday provides no additional money and is, for many teachers, a worse offer than those previously rejected by teacher unions.
A special meeting of the EIS Salaries Committee, held online unanimously rejected the offer.
As a result of this immediate rejection of the offer, strike action scheduled to begin on Thursday will go ahead.
Commenting this afternoon, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, "This offer is nothing less than an abject insult to Scotland’s hard-working teaching professionals. Teachers overwhelmingly rejected a 5 per cent offer more than three months ago and now, after months of prevarication and weeks of empty promises, COSLA and the Scottish Government come back with an offer than is worth that same 5 per cent to the vast majority of teachers.
"This is not, as the Scottish Government claims, a progressive offer – it is a divisive offer, made on a differentiated basis, which is actually worse for many teachers in promoted posts."
Ms Bradley added, "Contrary to the claims made by the Cabinet Secretary in Parliament and in Scottish Government spin, this is not an improved, realistic, progressive or generous offer.
"Our members will see this offer for exactly what it is – a kick in the teeth from their employers and the Scottish Government.
"The Salaries Committee expressed outrage at this offer, and that outrage is sure to be replicated in staffrooms across Scotland.
"Our programme of strike action, which will commence as scheduled on Thursday, will clearly show the strength of feeling of Scotland’s teachers who will be out in numbers and with strong voice on picket lines and at regional rallies."
Ms Bradley also corrected a statement made by Cabinet Secretary Shirley Anne Somerville in the Scottish Parliament, who repeatedly claimed that four offers had been made to teachers : "We have received, and rejected, three previous offers from COSLA and the Scottish Government before today: for 2per cent; 3.5 per cent and 5 per cent.
"The offer includes no additional money, and is a sign of the contempt with which COSLA and the Scottish Government clearly view Scotland’s teaching professionals."
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:"I have been clear that we have limited room for manoeuvre.
"The financial situation for the Scottish Government is challenging and additional money for teacher pay means reduced public services elsewhere.
"In these challenging times it is important we focus our attention on those who are most impacted by the cost of living crisis, as well as ensuring fairness to all public sector workers.
