Schools could close across Scotland after teachers voted to back the prospect of strike action to defend their pensions.
More than 90% of the country’s largest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), agreed to support industrial action should talks with the Scottish Government fail to reach agreement.
The Courier understands the union is focusing on the proposed raising of retirement age to 67 as the main bone of contention.
The Scottish Government is also proposing teachers and lecturers pay out more of their salary in pension contributions.
From April 1, there will be a 1.2% increase in pension contributions, along with the introduction of tiered contribution rates, depending on salary.
EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said union members had shown “great patience” during discussions with the Scottish Government, but accused ministers of an “apparent unwillingness to negotiate in good faith”.
He said: “To simply replicate the worst of the UK government’s continuing attacks on public sector pensions north of the border, even when they have the freedom to negotiate a Scottish alternative in relation to the teachers’ pension scheme, is unacceptable.”
Mr Flanagan added: “Teachers and lecturers are always reluctant to take industrial action. We hope this over-whelming vote sends a very clear message to the Scottish Government that it needs to match action to its rhetoric and achieve an agreed settlement with Scottish teachers.”
The results of the EIS ballot came the day after Holyrood’s education committee voted down an attempt by Labour MSP Neil Findlay to block the introduction of the regulations.
A Scottish Government spokesman said ministers have been forced into their decision because of decisions taken by the UK Government.
He said: “As the education secretary made clear to the education committee, pensions policy is reserved to Westminster, and the Scottish Government remains opposed to the UK Government’s increases to public sector employees’ pension contributions.
“However, we are required by the UK Government to implement the increases and were we not to do so, HM Treasury would reduce the Scottish budget by an estimated £35 million every year for teachers’ pensions alone.”
He continued: “We hope the EIS will continue their participation in the negotiation process, but do not think that industrial action is in the best interests of pupils or parents.”
Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Liz Smith said: “The Scottish Government did have the opportunity to ensure that the distribution of the proposed increases in employee pension contributions better reflected the characteristics of teacher employment in Scotland and it is disappointing that it has chosen not to do so.
“However, we do not support the idea of strike action by teachers since, in that event, the only losers would be the pupils.”