Teachers’ organisations have rejected the offer of a 3% pay rise, branding it “derisory”.

Following a meeting with representatives from the Scottish Negotiating Meeting for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together teaching organisations, council umbrella body COSLA and the Scottish Government, the teachers’ side rejected the pay offer.

They said: “It was made clear by the teachers’ side that this was a derisory offer and that it failed to redress the decade of detriment to teachers’ pay.

“It was also made clear that whilst changes to the Main Grade Scale would be welcomed, recruitment and retention of all teachers needed to be improved and all should receive a 10% pay rise, in addition to any other changes.”

The Greens backed the move with education spokesman Ross Greer saying: “The EIS is right to take a stand on teacher pay and they have the full support of the Greens in their attempts to win a just pay package that reflects the essential work teachers do in an environment of overwhelming workloads, budget cuts, chronic staff shortages and an ongoing recruitment crisis.

“It’s misleading for COSLA and the Scottish Government to present this as some kind of unprecedented pay rise when those who would benefit the most will still only make up half the value their wage has lost over the last decade. Many will benefit far less than that.

“Scotland is crying out for new teachers, so it’s essential we make the profession as attractive as possible.”

At their AGM in June the EIS teaching union previously voted in favour of escalating to “strike readiness” and preparing for a ballot after the summer holidays unless a deal achieving the 10% pay rise with no detriment to existing pay and conditions is reached.

The teachers’ side of the SNCT said negotiations on pay are continuing and a further meeting is set for October 4.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Teachers’ pay is a matter for the SNCT and negotiations for 2018-19 are continuing.”

Cosla has urged unions to accept a £350 million pay deal for local government workers, warning any increase above the 3% on offer for those earning up to £80,000 would result in cuts to jobs and services.

They said the offer “highlights our commitment to parity across the local government workforce”.

Unite, Unison and the GMB have said they will recommend members reject the deal.