TEACHERS across Dumfries and Galloway say they are ‘incandescent’ at the year’s delay in responding to their pay claim.
It was submitted in February 2022 and several strikes have taken place since then in both primaries and secondaries.
And they say issues about their underlying workload, behaviour and resources in schools also remain unresolved.
The EIS represents some teachers and local association secretary Andrew O’Halloran said: “A year has passed since we submitted our pay claim to COSLA and the Scottish Government. Sadly, it is only our strike action that prompted any response from them, as lacklustre and insulting as it was.
“We are not seeking a pay rise in real terms, we are merely attempting to keep our heads above water. Further disruption to education is inevitable unless COSLA and the Scottish Government begin to take this issue seriously.”
He warned that further industrial action in schools across Dumfries and Galloway is ‘likely’, with the next walkouts pencilled in for February 28 and March 1. As a result, all schools in the region are expected to be closed on both dates.
Meanwhile, speaking after the latest talks with teaching union representatives, Scottish Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We have been clear that demands for a ten per cent increase for all teachers – including the highest paid – is not affordable within the Scottish Government’s fixed budget.
“While four offers have been made to date, these have been rejected by teaching unions. Further compromise is clearly required in order to secure a fair and sustainable settlement.
“Today’s discussion were focused on progressing opportunities for compromise. There was a shared understanding that a new offer would not be made.
“Only COSLA as the employer, can make a new pay offer, through the structures of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for teachers.”
