TEACHERS are to be issued with ballot papers this month as strike action at local schools moves a step closer.

One of Scotland’s largest teaching unions, the EIS, has given its approval to open a statutory strike ballot over pay.

Union leaders claim teachers’ pay has fallen by 20 per cent in real terms over the past decade and insist a significant increase is needed to show staff they are valued and to boost recruitment and retention.

Last week, the EIS rejected the latest pay offer from the Scottish Government and council umbrella body Cosla.

Barrhead News: Deputy First Minister John Swinney

John Swinney urged EIS to consider the current offer 

Larry Flanagan, EIS general secretary, said teachers’ patience is now “exhausted.”

He added: “We have been negotiating for a year on a pay claim that was due to be settled last April.

“Our preference has always been to agree a fair deal through negotiation but we have been very clear also that we are prepared to take strike action should this be necessary to achieve an acceptable settlement.

“Ballot papers will be issued later this month. Clearly, once the actual ballot is under way, negotiations are suspended but prior to that we remain prepared to consider any improved pay offer.”

The Scottish Government has offered to give teachers a minimum nine per cent pay increase to cover the period between January 2018 and April 2019, as well as a further three per cent rise in April 2020.

Education Secretary John Swinney said: “This is a clear indication of our commitment to recruit and retain teachers and I urge the teaching unions to consider this favourably so that parties can bring discussions to a conclusion.

“Industrial action is in no-one’s interests, not least our children and young people.

“That has been my focus and will continue to be until this is resolved.”