Dumfries and Galloway teachers are taking strike action again on Monday.
And Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) plan to stage a protest rally outside the council headquarters on English Street.
Monday’s strike is part of a staggered 16-day series of walkouts across Scotland by teachers who are seeking a 10 per cent pay rise.
EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said: “We continue to urge the Scottish Government to pay attention to the need for a fair pay increase for Scotland’s teachers.
“Scotland’s teachers want to see this dispute settled, to allow full focus on education recovery and closing the poverty related achievement gap.
“It remains the case, however, that the Scottish Government and COSLA must come back with a new and improved pay offer that includes a significant amount of new money for Scotland’s teachers.
“Our members were greatly angered by the five per cent offer – considerably below the rate of inflation – that was made some six months ago and then brought back to the table three months later.
“Since then, we have heard plenty of talk from the Scottish Government and COSLA, but there has little action in terms of improvement to their offer. Our strike action will continue until a new, suitably improved and fair offer is put onto the table.”
The employers’ side insist the 10 per cent claim is unaffordable but remain “committed” to reaching a deal.
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “It is disappointing that the EIS has proceeded to escalate industrial action - we are continuing to urge teaching unions to reconsider their plans while talks are ongoing.
“Recent discussions have been constructive. There has been a shared understanding that talks have been focused on discussing potential areas for compromise - not on tabling a new offer at this stage.
A COSLA spokesperson said the 10 per cent demand was “unaffordable and therefore we still remain a distance apart in terms of a settlement.”
