A TRADE union has recommended teachers accept the latest pay offer from local authority employers.
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), the country’s largest teaching union, decided on Tuesday to recommend acceptance of a new, improved pay offer of 4.27% to Scotland’s teachers.
The offer, which local authorities body Cosla proposed on Monday, is for a one-year deal covering the period from August of this year until the end of next July.
The EIS, which represents 80% of Scotland’s teachers, said a consultative ballot will open to members on Wednesday with a recommendation to accept.
Commenting, EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley (below) said: “The collective view of the salaries committee is that the current offer proposes a pay increase for teachers that is above both CPI and RPI rates of inflation and, crucially, marks a first step in the restoration of teachers’ pay to the equivalent of pre-austerity levels.
“The offer is also undifferentiated, offering a 4.27% pay increase for teachers at all grades and at all scale points.”
Cosla resources spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann said: "Following a meeting of council leaders on August 30, Cosla has made a significantly improved formal pay offer for teaching staff to the SNCT [Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers] panel.
“The offer is for a 4.27% increase at all pay points effective from August 1, and covering the SNCT pay year 2024-25 (August 2024 - July 2025).
“This offer is at the absolute limit of affordability in the extremely challenging financial context, fully utilising all the funding local authorities have at their disposal and incorporating additional funding from the Scottish Government.
“Cosla has listened carefully to the teachers' panel, and has made a credible offer which meets our trade union partners' requests for an offer which is undifferentiated – with a uniform 4.27% uplift at all pay points, that is above inflation, and that does not propose any changes to terms and conditions.
“We hope that the teachers' panel will provide their respective members with the opportunity to consider this credible offer, which reflects the high value leaders place on Scotland's teachers and their vital work educating and supporting our children and young people."
