SCOTTISH secondary teachers have backed the latest pay offer from the Scottish Government.
Some 64 per cent of the members of the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) voted to back the deal.
The result of a separate ballot by the Educational Institute of Scotland, the largest union in Scotland, is expected later today.
The latest pay offer from the Scottish Government and council umbrella body Cosla was a three per cent from April last year with a further three per cent from January this year, an additional three per cent in April and another three per cent in April next year.
In recognition of concern over problems in the recruitment and retention of teachers Cosla has also agreed to back a restructuring of wider pay scales and took at pay for promoted teachers.
However, teaching unions had campaigned for an immediate 10 per cent rise for all staff arguing salaries have fallen behind over the past decade.
Seamus Searson, general secretary of the SSTA, said the vote should not be seen as an indication that teacher morale was good.
And he said members also wanted the option of re-opening the 2020 offer in future.
He said: "Many members were voting to get a pay rise that has been long overdue.
"Members are equally unhappy with a three year deal and are insisting on a re-opener clause for 2020 so that teachers’ salaries are not allowed to deteriorate.
"Members are also demanding urgent efforts to address teacher workload and support in dealing with pupil behaviour."
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