EIS teachers' union backs 2.5% pay deal over two years

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-34439776

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Members of Scotland's largest teachers' union have overwhelmingly backed a two-year pay offer.

The EIS said its members supported the deal - worth 2.5% over two years - by 83% to 17%.

The SSTA union also supports the package but the NASUWT is opposed. Because two unions back the pay offer, it is now almost certain to go ahead.

The EIS represents more than 80% of Scotland's teachers.

Last week, Scottish council workers agreed a 2.5% pay rise over two years.

The offer to teachers and associated professionals was negotiated through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers.

Teachers would receive a 1.5% rise this year and a further 1% next year.

The EIS will move for formal acceptance of the offer at the full negotiating committee meeting later this month.

The committee includes representatives from the unions, councils and the Scottish government.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said, "Teachers have acknowledged the positive elements of the overall package and the degree of financial certainty that comes with a two-year agreement, even while recognising that the pay award itself is disappointing.

"That a meagre pay increase of 2.5% over two years actually exceeds current government pay policy demonstrates that teachers, in line with other public sector workers, are continuing to pay the price for an economic crisis that was not of their making.

"The EIS remains committed to pursuing future restorative pay rises to return teachers' real-terms pay to at least pre-crisis levels."

Mr Flanagan added: "The non-pay elements of the agreement are more positive, including a commitment to further consider supply teaching issues, an agreed set of principles and action on managing teacher workload and, crucially, a separate commitment from the Scottish government on maintaining teacher numbers for the length of the agreement.

"The EIS will now work to ensure the agreed actions to address workload are delivered at local level, and will engage actively with employers on the issues of supply provision and improving the pay and conditions of supply teachers."