School strikes suspended as union recommends members accept new pay offer

TEACHER strikes across Scotland which were set to impact Shetland schools later this month have been suspended after a new pay offer was made to unions.

The EIS union, which is leading this month’s strikes, is recommending that its members vote to accept the new offer.

The Scottish Government said teachers have been offered the largest pay package in over 20 years, with most in line to see their salary rise by £5,200 in April.

EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley explained: “The view of our negotiators is that this deal represents the best that can be achieved in the current political and financial climate without a much more prolonged campaign of industrial action.

“It is through the determination and collective action of teachers and associated professionals across Scotland, led by EIS members, that we have improved this pay offer from an initial 2% for the current year to 7% for the current financial year, with additional increases of 5% and then 2% within the following financial year.

“This will result in the majority of teachers seeing a 12.3% increase on their current rate of pay by April of this year and by 14% by January 2024.”

Education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Teachers make an invaluable contribution to the lives of our children and young people. This historic offer, if accepted by unions, would see teacher pay increase by 33% from January 2018 to January 2024.

“We have looked for compromise and we have arrived at a deal that is fair, affordable, and sustainable for everyone involved. The Scottish Government is supporting this deal with total funding of over £320 million across this year and next. 

“This reflects our commitment to reach a fair agreement and avoid further disruption to children and young people’s education.

“I hope that teaching unions will now give their members the opportunity to consider this new offer and to suspend the planned industrial action next week. This would minimise any further disruption to learning, particularly in the run up to the SQA exam diet.”

Teachers went on strike again on Tuesday and Wednesday this week in the long-running dispute over pay.

Further strikes were set to hit schools in Shetland on 23, 24 and 27 March, but all future action has been suspended.