Scotland's largest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), has expressed hope that a new pay offer will be made to avert a planned strike on Thursday. However, the union is proceeding with preparations for a 24-hour walkout that is expected to close most schools across the country.
Teachers rejected a 5% pay increase and are demanding 10%. EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said the union is "hopeful" of a new offer and is ready to negotiate. Deputy First Minister John Swinney has previously stated there is no additional funding for public sector pay rises.
Further EIS strike dates have been set for 10 January in primary schools and 11 January in secondary schools. The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association is also considering action in early December.
Bradley noted that inflation has risen to 11.1%, making a 10% award a real-terms pay cut. She added that some teachers are using food banks due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville confirmed the government is committed to a fair pay offer but stressed that any increase would require cuts elsewhere in the budget. The Scottish government recently announced £615m in spending cuts.
