Relations between the Scottish Government and the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) union have made “progress”.
Education Secretary Shirley Anne-Somerville made the announcement after talks with the union on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons – and said the discussions were “very useful” and touched on possible “areas of compromise” to prevent controversy.
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She said: “I am pleased to say that there has been progress in discussions between the Scottish Government, local government and the EIS partners. All parties have shown a willingness to compromise.
“These were informal discussions which I hope will turn into formal talks tomorrow.
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“As employers, it will be up to Cosla to make any revised offer and the Scottish Government stands ready to support them in doing so. I hope a proposal can be made this week to resolve this dispute And it can be resolved without any hindrance in the education of the youth.
He also said that the Scottish Government would “continue to engage with other union partners as we have done throughout this dispute”.
EIS secretary general Andrea Bradley told BBC Reporting Scotland that Tuesday’s meeting was “useful”, and that “both sides remain committed to working towards a resolution”.
He then thanked the union members who participated in the strike action for the last two days.
She said: “I want to thank you very much for what you have been doing and continue to do, for contributing to our Pay Attention campaign. You are strong and united in your strike action and your picketing .
It comes as hundreds of children across the country were unable to attend lessons as many schools closed for the second day in a row on Wednesday as NASUWT and EIS members walked out in the latest national strike action.
The union has warned of more strike days if the pay dispute is not resolved.
The EIS had previously announced a 20-day wave of rolling strikes between March 13 and April 21.
NASUWT has not announced any further strike dates, although its national officer for Scotland, Mike Corbett, said there is “certainly the potential” for more walkouts, although members are “reluctant” to disrupt the exam season. Will be
The EIS union is demanding a 10% increase which the Scottish Government has said is unaffordable.
Under the latest proposal announced by Ms Somerville last month, teachers’ salaries earning up to £80,000 would see a 6% increase from April 2022, and then a further 5.5% increase from the start of the 2023 financial year.
