Teachers win 7% pay rise

Published on Friday 14 December 2007 15:12

TEACHERS in Scotland have struck a pay deal which will seen their salaries rise by seven per cent over the next three years.

The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) agreed the settlement today following talks between teachers' leaders, local authorities and the Scottish Government.

The deal is made up of increases of 2.25 per cent for 2008/09 and 2.5 per cent for 2009/10 and 2.4 per cent 2010/11.

Ronnie Smith, general secretary of the EIS, Scotland's biggest teaching union, said: "This pay deal offers welcome pay stability for Scotland's teachers, at a time of increasing global economic strain.

"These were always going to be difficult negotiations, given the current economic conditions and the tight financial settlement under which local authorities are operating.

"Nevertheless, we are confident that this settlement offers a fair deal for teachers which compares well to other recent public sector pay awards.

"The key was to ensure that salary levels remain attractive to both prospective and established teachers and, with this settlement, we believe that has been achieved."