Scottish teaching union members vote to accept pay deal

Ema Sabljak
Thu, 9 March 2023 

Members of the EIS and SSTA unions on the picket line at St Andrew's and St Brides High School in South Lanarkshire. (Image: PA)

Members of a Scottish teaching union have voted to accept the latest pay deal and bring a long-lasting industrial dispute to an end.

The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) voted 85.3% in favour of accepting the offer, with 14.7% rejecting it. Turnout was 79.9%.

Under the deal announced by Scottish Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, teachers earning up to £80,000 will see their pay rise by 6% from April 2022, and then another 5.5% from the start of the 2023 financial year.

Scotland's largest teaching union is yet to conclude a ballot of members - but it is expected to announce the results on Friday.

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SSTA general secretary Seamus Searson said: “The membership has determined to accept the latest pay offer.

“Throughout the period of industrial action, the SSTA has taken a measured approach and has been willing to negotiate to find a solution to the pay dispute.

“The SSTA is proud to be a member-led union, and the ballot is a fundamental part of our democratic process.”

Mr Searson said the SSTA will now push for teachers to receive the backpay they are due as quickly as possible.

He continued: “However, the SSTA has a major concern over the unnecessary pay cap; this seems to be an act of political dogma rather than a rational proposal.

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

“The career ladder has been stifled for many years, the number of posts of responsibility has been cut severely. Posts such as these are needed in secondary schools as they are essential for good management systems.”