A NEW pay offer for teachers was welcomed at Scottish Labour conference this weekend.

SNP Deputy First Minister John Swinney’s move towards the 10 per cent rise demanded by teachers has been cautiously welcomed by the Education Institute of Scotland (EIS).

Speaking at a conference fringe meeting, EIS president Alison Thornton emphasised the role of trade-union action in securing the improved offer.

“We are absolutely clear that [the offer] has been made in relation to the continuing pressure from EIS,” she said.

Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray echoed these sentiments as he congratulated the union.

“We should be in no doubt that it was not an easily won victory,” he said.

“This was the result of a trade union and its members standing firm in the face of intransigence.”