New teacher strike dates as talks end without deal

The latest talks over teachers' pay have broken up without agreement, as another union announces new strike dates.

Members of the NASUWT union will strike on 28 February and 1 March.

The largest teaching union in Scotland, the EIS, has already announced nationwide strikes on those dates, in both primaries and secondaries.

The education secretary said the talks were "constructive" but no new offer was tabled.

Shirley-Anne Somerville added: "Dialogue remains focused on potential areas for compromise in bringing this dispute to an end - rather than tabling a new offer at this time."

Teachers are currently being offered a rise worth between 5% and 6.85% for the majority of teachers, but top earners would receive less.

The NASUWT is calling for a 12% increase, while the EIS has asked for 10%.

• Which teachers in Scotland are striking and when?

Mike Corbett, NASUWT national official Scotland, said: "We have been clear to Scottish government and Cosla that with CPI inflation still at 10.5% - more than double the 5% pay award which most of Scotland's teachers were offered - a substantially improved pay offer which is fully funded by the Scottish government must be tabled without delay.

"There is a window of opportunity to avert further strike action, but the ball is very much in the court of ministers and employers."

The EIS union is currently staging a rolling series of strikes in two local authorities per day, until 6 February.

There will be two nationwide strike dates on 28 February and 1 March, and the EIS is planning a second wave of rolling action from 13 March if there is no resolution to the dispute.

Pay talks for teachers are held by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together teaching unions, the Scottish government and local authority body Cosla.

Any new offer would need to be agreed by all 32 council leaders.