TEACHERS across Scotland have rejected the latest pay offer from local authorities and the Scottish Government.

In a pay ballot organised by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), 98% of teachers rejected the 2% pay offer along with a one-off £100 payment for all teaching staff.

The EIS, which is Scotland’s largest teaching union say that the result sends a “strong message” to COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) and the Scottish Government that they must return to the bargaining table with an improved offer.

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The union claims that a previously agreed pay rise which was due to be paid from April 2021, is now 10 months overdue and pay negotiations for 2022 were set to begin before Christmas, but have not yet began.

Commenting on the ballot result, EIS Salaries Convener Des Morris said, “Scotland’s teachers have sent a very strong and very clear message with this ballot result.

“This overwhelming rejection of the current offer by EIS members is a warning to COSLA and the Scottish Government that they cannot take the goodwill of teachers for granted.

“The EIS Salaries Committee will consider the ballot result and the next steps to be taken at its meeting later this week.

“We will fully expect to receive an enhanced offer from COSLA and the Scottish Government at our next negotiating meeting, currently scheduled for next week.”

EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan added, “Scotland’s teachers deserve a fair pay rise from their employers and the Scottish Government.

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“With this ballot result, our members have shown, very clearly, that they consider the current offer neither fair nor acceptable.

“Throughout the continuing Covid crisis, Scotland’s teachers have worked flat out to seek to minimise the damaging impact of the pandemic on young people’s education.

“Teachers are key to the planned programme of educational recovery and deserve to be appropriately remunerated for their efforts. It is time for COSLA and the Scottish Government to play fair and finally commit to a reasonable and fair pay rise for Scotland’s teaching professionals.”