A SCOTTISH teaching union has suspended a work to rule over planned changes to pensions.

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) said the work to contract agreed earlier this year would end with immediate effect.

It said the decision was taken as a demonstration of good faith as the Scottish Government attempts to broker a solution to the public sector pensions dispute.

However, it is also thought the work to rule was having a limited impact in schools.

Alan McKenzie, the union's acting general secretary, said: "It is our position that the most unacceptable aspect of the proposed pension reform is the link to state pension retirement age and the SSTA will continue to campaign in rigorous opposition.

"The SSTA reserves the right to reinstate the work to contract and, further, may ballot for other appropriate industrial action."

A spokesman for the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said the discussions with the Scottish Government were continuing.

He said: "The EIS remains committed to the campaign to defend teachers' pensions, and we retain the option of further industrial action – including strike action – should a negotiated agreement not be reached."