School strikes Scotland: EIS cancels strikes and accepts collective agreement

Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) have voted overwhelmingly to accept a new offer from ministers, ending the long-running dispute that has closed schools and canceled classes across the country.

Teachers from the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) backed the sixth deal put before them, which would see a pay increase of 7 per cent retroactive to April 2022, a further 5 per cent next month and a further 2 per cent in January.

EIS members voted 90 percent in favor of the deal, only 10 percent opposed, with a turnout of 82 percent.

READ MORE: Teachers’ strikes suspended as EIS urges members to accept new salary offer

The EIS tweeted: “Payment offer accepted. All strike actions for an improved salary offer for teachers called off.”

PRESS STOP: CONSULTATION CHOICE RESULT for SNCT PAYMENT OFFER:

Accept: 90%
Rejection: 10%
Voter turnout: 82%

Wage offer is accepted.

All strike actions for an improved salary offer for teachers called off.

An email will be sent to members as soon as possible with more information.

— EIS (@EISUnion) March 10, 2023

The vote follows that of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA), which voted 85.3% in favor of the offer and 14.7% against. Voter turnout was 79.9%.

Classes for hundreds of thousands of students in both primary and secondary schools were canceled during months of industrial action, leaving many parents struggling to organize childcare.

Flying pickets also targeted the constituencies of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Shirley-Anne Somerville, as well as Scottish Green Party leader Ross Greer.

Andrea Bradley, general secretary of EIS, said members of the high-turnout shows “made a pragmatic decision when they voted to accept the current salary offer.”

She added: “While it falls short of our expectations for a restorative paycheck for Scotland’s teachers, it is the best deal that can realistically be reached in the current political and financial climate without further prolonged industrial action.

“It compares well to recent payrolls across the public sector and provides Scottish teachers with salary security for the next 16 months until the next payroll is due in August 2024.”

Under the deal, most teachers’ salaries will increase by 14.6% by January 2024, Ms Bradley said.

EIS members’ approval of the deal comes after a breakthrough in negotiations last week that saw the union halt its planned 20-day campaign of rolling strikes across Scotland.

The wage dispute between councils and teachers’ unions has been bitterly contested, with the first walkout taking place last November.

Shirley-Anne Somerville called the latest deal a “historic deal” that would see teachers’ salaries “rise 33% from January 2018 to January 2024.”

She said: “I am delighted that EIS and SSTA members have voted overwhelmingly to accept this historic offer and I look forward to the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers formally considering it in due course.

“It is the most generous offer to teachers in more than 20 years and one that is fair, affordable and sustainable for all involved.

“Teachers in Scotland are already the highest paid in the UK and this deal means a £5,200 pay rise for most teachers in April and a 33% cumulative increase since January 2018.

“Resolving this dispute and ending the threat of further strikes in our schools will be a great relief for children, young people, parents, carers and also teachers.”

EIS and SSTA leaders had recommended members accept the deal.

NASUWT members are also embroiled in the row, and their general secretary, Patrick Roach, had condemned Scottish Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville’s latest offer as “merely a paltry improvement” over the previous proposal.

This union also votes its members on the deal.

SSTA Secretary General Seamus Searson said: “The membership has decided to accept the latest salary offer.

“Throughout the duration of the industrial action, the SSTA took a measured approach and was willing to negotiate to find a solution to the wage dispute.

“SSTA prides itself on being a member-led union and election is a fundamental part of our democratic process.”

READ MORE: Teachers hold rally outside Nicola Sturgeon’s office

Mr Searson said the SSTA will now urge teachers to receive the back payment they are due as soon as possible.

He continued, “However, the SSTA has major concerns about the unnecessary salary cap; This appears to be an act of political dogma rather than a rational proposition.

“The inclusion of this is a significant barrier in the career structure of secondary school teachers.

“The career ladder was nipped in the bud for many years, and the number of responsible posts was greatly reduced. Positions like these are needed in secondary schools as they are essential to good management systems.”