Teachers have been offered a new pay deal in a bid to avert strike action which is set to take place later this week.
Members of the EIS (Educational Institute of Scotland), Scotland's largest teaching union, are currently due to go on strike this Thursday for the first time in decades. The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) has also set strike dates for December.
The new offer represents a 6.85 per cent increase in pay, however it falls short of the 10 per cent demanded by unions. Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said it was a "fair offer" as she looked to prevent schools across Scotland closing.
According to the SNP minister a fully qualified teacher would now receive £35,650-a-year, while those at the top end of the scale would get a five per cent rise and earn £44,453.
Somerville said: "This is a fair offer which recognises that the cost of living crisis is the priority, with higher increases for staff on lower salaries.
"This is now the fourth offer that has been made. In the same time EIS have not changed their request for a 10% pay increase – even for those on the highest incomes.
"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. I would urge leadership to postpone plans for industrial action and consider this new offer.”
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