TEACHERS are set to carry out a major series of strikes across Scotland after the New Year, a union has confirmed.
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said teachers will strike for 16 consecutive days across every council in the country.
The action will start – unless a deal is agreed before then – on January 16 and is due to last until February 6.
National strike days will also take place on January 10 for teachers in primary and special schools, as well as early years, and on January 11 for those working in secondary schools and secondary special schools.
Andrea Bradley, EIS general secretary, said members had been "forced to escalate" measures.
The EIS will move ahead with our previously announced 2 additional days of strike action in January. And can confirm that Scotland’s teachers will strike on 16 consecutive days in January &February, with teachers in 2 LAs on strike on each of these 16 dayshttps://t.co/EWj5DVOD7G
— EIS (@EISUnion) November 25, 2022
She said: "Scotland’s teachers responded magnificently to yesterday's day of strike action, turning out in their tens of thousands on picket lines, at demos and at campaign rallies across Scotland.
"Members have been greatly angered by the actions of the Scottish Government and Cosla who – after three months of delay – came back earlier this week with the same 5% pay offer that our members had already rejected overwhelmingly.
"Yesterday's strike action was a clear message: Scotland's teachers are not going to be fooled by spin from Cosla and the Scottish Government, and we are determined to make a strong stand until we receive a substantially improved fair pay settlement for all teachers."
She said union members had been "angered" by the behaviour of the Scottish Government and Cosla over the way a 5% pay increase offer was presented.
Bradley added: "Having dragged the process out for three months, they waited until 30 minutes before the EIS was due to meet to consider the revised proposal, to actually present their reheated 5% offer.
"They then released it to the press, with all their accompanying spin, before the EIS Salaries Committee had even had a chance to discuss the offer.
"In these bad-faith actions, the Scottish Government and Cosla have displayed little respect for the agreed negotiating process, and even less respect for Scotland’s hard-working teachers."
Cole-Hamilton said teachers were being "pushed to the edge" by the Scottish Government.
He said: “Scottish pupils have faced enormous disruption and upheaval to their education as a result of the pandemic. The last thing they need is more of that because of strikes, but teachers can only be pushed so far.
“Outside Parliament yesterday, I spoke with teachers who have seen classroom support plummet after years of neglect by the SNP. They go above and beyond, while the Education Secretary barely lifts a finger.
“Education will never be a priority for the SNP, but I want teachers to know that Scottish Liberal Democrats are on their side.”
The Government has insisted it has no more cash for pay offers, with Scottish Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville saying any increase in funding would have to come from elsewhere in the budget.
The Scottish Government submitted a pay offer to teachers earlier this week which was summarily dismissed by the unions.
Under that proposal, teachers earning under £40,107 would receive an increase of £1926 per year – 6.85% for those on the lowest salaries – while those on more would get 5%.
The EIS has been pushing for a minimum of a 10% increase.
Councillor Katie Hagmann, Cosla's resources spokesperson, said: “We are disappointed that strikes are going ahead.
"In an effort to prevent strikes happening, on Tuesday afternoon we as Employers made a revised fourth offer to our trade union colleagues, that did include additional money.
"It was a fair and affordable offer which recognises the cost-of-living crisis as the priority by focusing on higher increases for staff on lower pay points. This means 6.85% for probationers, as well as between 5.71% and 5.1% for those on the lower to middle parts of the pay scale who will also receive their annual increment.
"The offer we have made is in line with the offers made to all other parts of the public sector, including the wider local government workforce. Teachers are a core part of that workforce, and are supported in their roles by other council employees who help keep schools open and clean.
"It was an offer that ensured no additional pressure is placed on teachers themselves, as well as any other parts of our hardworking workforce and the essential services they deliver, and importantly it protects the best interests of children and young people.
"Teachers in Scotland are already paid well above their counterparts in England and Wales, as made clear by UK Government figures, and indeed many of their colleagues in Local Government.
"The response of our trade union partners is disappointing given the financial challenges facing everybody, but we remain open to having open and honest conversations about how we can reach a viable and realistic settlement that protects the best interests of teacher, children and young people and our wider communities.”
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "Strikes are in no one's interest and we continue to engage with the unions to find a resolution.
“It is very disappointing that the EIS has rejected the latest offer, which is fair and progressive and mirrors the deal accepted by other Local Government workers.
"The latest offer - the fourth which has gone to unions - would have meant a 21.8% cumulative increase in teacher pay since 2018. The starting salary for a fully qualified teacher would be £35,600. That’s £7,650 more than their counterparts in England.
"It is simply unaffordable to have a 10% increase which unions are asking for within the fixed budget which the Scottish Government is working in.
“I recognise the strength of feeling within the unions but they also need to recognise that the Scottish Government budget is fixed and is already committed. any new money for teacher pay would have to come from elsewhere in education.”
