Teaching staff at schools across Renfrewshire joined hundreds of others up and down the country as they went on strike following an ‘insulting’ pay offer from bosses.
Thousands of pupils in Scotland had two unofficial days off as members of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) and NASUWT unions exercised their right to stop working in order to negotiate a better deal.
It’s the latest in a series of industrial action events to affect the education sector – and comes after members of the University and College lecturers union walked out in recent weeks when they were joined by teachers from the EIS-ULA union.
Unions say that COSLA and the Scottish Government, who are in charge of pay, have not met with them since November 22 – and have questioned their willingness to come to a settlement.
The most recent offer of five per cent has been labelled ‘totally unacceptable’ with members of the SSTA have telling the Express that teachers have faced years of below-inflation pay increases.
And, they add, this latest one – which comes in at five per cent less than the current rate of inflation as per the consumer price index (CPI) – represents yet another real-terms pay cut. The SSTA wants a 10 per cent increase in pay while NASUWT members are holding out for 12 per cent.
SSTA district secretary for Renfrewshire Raymond Kane, said: “Members have, quite rightly, been striking across Renfrewshire in response to the latest pay offer from the Scottish Government and COSLA.
“There is a depth of feeling that this pay offer is an insult to long-serving teachers who work long hours to provide quality education and safe, nurturing environments for young people.
“Throughout the pandemic we continually heard about how valued teachers are. To be honest, members feel that the current pay offer nowhere near reflects the value we add every day.
“Our request for a ten per cent pay increase was submitted before sharp rises in the cost of living and inflation rates. A five per cent offer for long-serving teachers is, therefore, totally unacceptable.
“An improved pay offer is required now to bring a swift end to industrial action. A good deal for teachers will be an excellent deal for learners.”
Mike Corbett, NASUWT national official (Scotland), added: “Our members would rather be in school working with their pupils, but have had no option but to take this action in order to stand up for their right to a salary which reflects the skilled and difficult work they do and which enables them to weather the cost of living crisis.
“98 per cent of our members in Scotland are worried about their financial situation, 74 per cent have had to cut back on food costs and 68 per cent are struggling to pay their energy bills.
“The current pay offer is simply insufficient. Teachers are not willing to accept yet another real-terms pay cut and are ready to fight for a better deal.”
Education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Strike action is in no-one’s interest, least of all learners, parents and carers.
“We remain committed to a fair, sustainable settlement for Scotland’s teachers and will continue to engage teaching unions and COSLA constructively.”
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