TEACHERS have called for urgent moves to reverse a "disgusting" pay cut for supply staff that has led to shortages across Scotland.

Delegates at the annual congress of the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) backed a motion calling for a review of the current pay arrangements, which they say have led to "Tesco rates" for supply staff.

The call follows a deal drawn up by the Scottish Government and council body Cosla last year in which pay rates for supply teachers were reduced as part of wider cuts to save councils £45 million.

It means short-term supply staff must work at a rate of £78 a day for their first five consecutive days at work before their pay rises to the normal rate of £145.

The Government said the deal was the best that could have been done and it protected frontline teaching jobs.

However, a subsequent survey by the Scottish Labour Party found 84% of councils did not fill all requests for short-term cover in 2011.

Ann Ballinger, general secretary of the SSTA, said the situation had to be addressed – with legal action, if possible.

"Over the course of the year our solicitor has begun the process of taking action at employment tribunals on behalf of members who are supply teachers," she said.

"On each occasion, the employer has settled and our member has received a well-deserved financial recompense."

The SSTA backed a motion calling for the issue to be discussed at the tripartite Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, which involves teaching unions, the Government and Cosla.