Created on: 28 Aug 2025
SNCT Update – Pay Negotiations 2025/26
Over recent months, discussions have continued at the SNCT in effort to secure an acceptable pay settlement for the 2025/26 pay year.
Members will be aware that an initial offer made by COSLA of a 3% uplift was unanimously rejected by the SNCT Teachers’ Panel in March of this year. This rejected offer fell far below the 6% pay claim submitted by the SNCT Teachers’ Panel on 2nd February 2025.
Consistent efforts made in negotiation
Since the rejection of the 3% offer, there have been three meetings of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs, where pay negotiations take place, on 14th May, 13th June and 25th June respectively.
At the meeting on 14th May 2025, the Teachers’ Side impressed upon COSLA and the Scottish Government that time was swiftly running out to meet the 1st August 2025 implementation date for any pay settlement, alongside restating the importance of any pay settlement continuing steps towards pay restoration.
At the meeting of 13th June 2025, COSLA intimated the possibility of a two-year offer comprising of 4% in year one and 3.5% in year two. Despite COSLA stating that there was room for reconfiguration of this offer, it advised that the 4% figure in year one would be a ceiling, thus limiting any room for meaningful negotiation. However, in an effort to be as constructive as possible, the Teachers’ Side offered a number of ways to improve the potential offer intimated by COSLA.
An unacceptable lack of clarity
Despite COSLA agreeing to consider the potential improvements forwarded by the Teachers’ Side, COSLA formally tabled the two year 4% and 3.5% offer on 16th June 2025. Unfortunately, the offer letter outlining the offer contained a significant lack of clarity (link to letter) and subsequently, the Teachers’ Side requested a further meeting of SNCT Extended Joint Chairs to undertake further negotiation.
Accordingly, a meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs was held on 25th June 2025, on the eve of the summer leave period for the teaching profession. At this meeting, the Teachers’ Side sought to obtain clarity around the tabled offer. COSLA acknowledged the lack of clarity within the offer letter and agreed to consider the points raised by the Teachers’ Side further.
Substandard Offer Rejected
Following the summer break, the EIS Salaries Committee considered COSLA’s pay offer at its meeting of 21st August 2025. The Salaries Committee subsequently unanimously rejected the offer, viewing it is as substandard in the context of rising inflation and noting the unacceptable lack of clarity in the offer’s intimation to the SNCT Teachers’ Side.
The SNCT Teachers’ Panel met on 27th August 2025 and following consideration by all constituent unions the COSLA Pay Offer of 16th June 2025 was formally rejected. In rejecting the offer, the SNCT Teachers’ Panel has made clear its wish for negotiations to continue, as swiftly as possible, via the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs.