Scottish teachers accept 13% pay rise after ‘successful campaign’

Teachers across Scotland have overwhelmingly accepted a 13% pay proposal with their campaign heralded a significant success.

Thousands of teachers march in Glasgow over pay. Picture: John Devlin / TSPL

Members of the country’s largest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), voted to accept the Scottish Government’s deal staggered over three years - bringing talk of further strike action to an end.

It offers a 3% rise backdated to last April, 7% from next month, and a further 3% from April 2020 with a total increase of 13.51%.

The proposal also includes additional commitments to tackle workload, support teacher professional development, and enhancing the leadership programme.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The EIS launched the Value Education, Value Teachers campaign in January last year, with the aim of securing a fair pay settlement for Scotland’s teachers.

“The campaign has been a significant success and has now secured an improved proposal that will increase teachers’ pay by at least 10% by this April, compared to current salary scales.

“Our members have given their overwhelming backing to this proposal, so the EIS will now move to formally conclude an agreement.”

The ballot closed on Wednesday at noon with 98% of members voting in favour, with a 76% turnout.

Thousands of teachers marched through the streets of Glasgow last October as part of the campaign.

Mr Flanagan added: “The package is good news for Scotland’s teaching professionals and for Scottish education, and it has been achieved by the unity and determination of EIS members across the country.

“This proposal, once formalised through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, will ensure a period of welcome stability for Scottish education.

“The enhanced salaries on offer, together with the additional commitments contained in the proposal, will help to attract new teachers and to keep experienced teachers in our schools.

“All that remains is for Cosla, as the employers, to formally adopt the proposal at its Leaders’ Meeting on Friday of this week and to then make an official offer through the SNCT.