SCOTLAND'S largest teachers union has confirmed a statutory strike ballot will open on October 12 after an “overwhelming” rejection of the latest 5% pay offer.
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) confirmed on Wednesday that it will move ahead with plans to ballot members in pursuit of a fair pay settlement for teachers, having sent formal notices to all thirty-two local councils.
It follows an “overwhelming” result in a recent consultative ballot, where 94% of EIS members voted to reject a 5% pay offer and 91% said they would be willing to move to strike action.
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: “The issuing of the formal ballot notices, as required by law, marks a further serious warning to Scotland’s local authorities and the Scottish Government that they must improve their pay offer to teachers or face up to the reality of strike action closing schools across Scotland this autumn.
“Teachers do not consider the prospect of taking strike action lightly, but our members are deeply angry at the continuing dragging of feet and the series of sub-inflationary pay offers that have brought us to this point.
“Teachers are highly skilled professionals who perform a vital job which is crucial to the entire country, and they fully deserve to be paid appropriately for the essential work that they do. The message from EIS members could not be clearer – pay us properly, or we will strike in schools across the length and breadth of Scotland.
“The EIS is confident that its members will again vote overwhelmingly for strike action in this statutory ballot.”
Scottish Labour’s education spokesman Michael Marra said: “Teachers have gone above and beyond to try and repair the damage the pandemic has done to kids’ education, but the SNP has shown them nothing but contempt in return.
“No-one wants strikes, but it is the SNP Government’s responsibility to get round the table with a fair offer and prevent them.
“The SNP are selling Scottish education short and letting down pupils and teachers alike with their botched handling of these negotiations.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesman Willie Rennie said: “Having let teachers down over non-contact time, class sizes and additional support needs, now the Scottish Government are letting them down over pay too.
“Children simply cannot afford more disruption to classrooms, but the Scottish Government is leaving teachers with no other choice but to strike.
“The Scottish Government must ensure that teachers receive a proper pay rise.”
