PAT Scotland statement on 2008 pay deal for Scottish teachers

14 December 2007

PAT Scotland has commented on the 2008 - 2011 pay settlement (totalling 7.32% compound over three years) agreed late yesterday at a meeting of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT).

Maureen Laing, PAT's Senior Professional Officer (Scotland), said: "We regret that negotiations had to be constrained within such a tight financial framework and are very disappointed that this pay offer does not address the slippage, in comparison to other employees, that has taken place since the previous negotiations in 2003. 

"We fear that further erosion, relative to salaries available to graduates in other professions, will discourage the recruitment of talented students into teaching or the retention of new entrants for a long-term career.”