The Scottish Government has been warned to "be afraid because teachers are raging".

Members of the EIS union went on strike today, forcing the closure of every school on the mainland.

It was the first walkout in 40 years as teachers demanded a 10% pay rise and spent the day at picket lines and protests across Scotland.

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

They claim some members of staff have been forced to rely on food banks as they battle to keep up with inflation.

Royal Mail workers and university lecturers also walked out on strike as industrial unrest continues to spread across the country in disputes over pay, jobs and conditions.

The move was the biggest strike of its kind, affecting an estimated 2.5 million students, with the union warning of escalated action in the New Year if the row is not resolved.

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

Roz Foyer, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, told the crowd: “I'm proud to have seen you at the picket lines this morning.

“It is an amazing turnout here today, what a show of strength.

“I hope the Scottish Government is watching. My message to them is 'be afraid because teachers are raging'.

“We must have teachers from every school in Glasgow and surrounding areas, but it’s not just here it’s in Edinburgh, it’s in Dundee, it’s in Aberdeen, Inverness, Elgin, it’s right across Scotland.”

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

Education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville urged teaching unions to “get back around the table” to avoid more strikes in the future.

It comes after a last-ditch offer from the Scottish Government of 5% was summarily rejected.

Under the new proposals, teachers earning under £40,107 would receive an increase of £1926 per year - 6.85% for those on the lowest salaries - while those earning more would get 5%.

However, teachers on strike at Glasgow Green told the Glasgow Times they feel this offer is a “kick in the teeth” as it would be a pay cut due to inflation.

Former teacher and now local association secretary for EIS union, Susan Quinn, tsaid “members won’t be backing down”.

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

The 54-year-old said: “We are here because teachers have been forced to take strike action because we have had no decent pay offer.

“It feels terrible and like a kick in the teeth. People are really anxious about it but we can see from the rally that people are together and behind it.

“This is our last resort. We haven't done this at a whim, we have taken a long time to get to this stage.

“We put a 10% pay claim at the beginning of the year which should have been paid in April, we are now nearly at December and all we have been offered is 5%.

“This is our last resort. We want something much more substantial on the table, 10% is still a pay cut for our members because of inflation.

“Members will not be backing down, our togetherness brings us strength.”

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

Somerville stated: "The strikes today are in no-one's interest, and we continue to engage with the unions to find a resolution.

“It is very disappointing that the EIS and SSTA have rejected the latest offer, which is fair and progressive and mirrors the deal accepted by other local government workers.

"The latest offer - the fourth which has gone to unions - would have meant a 21.8% cumulative increase in teacher pay since 2018. The starting salary for a fully qualified teacher would be £35,600. That’s £7650 more than their counterparts in England.

"It is simply unaffordable to have a 10% increase which unions are asking for within the fixed budget which the Scottish Government is working in.

“I recognise the strength of feeling within the unions but they also need to recognise that the Scottish Government budget is fixed and is already committed. Any new money for teacher pay would have to come from elsewhere in education.”