FED-UP teachers in Inverclyde could be heading for strike action — as their battle for a pay rise intensifies.

Over 100 members of staff from local schools have already signed up for a national protest march demanding a 10 per cent rise.

The march will go ahead after pay talks stalled, with employers offering a deal around three per cent.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) announced it will ballot its members on the pay offer, and is recommending that they vote to reject it. 

Inverclyde EIS secretary Paula McEwan said: “We are completely behind the national pay claim.

“This is the most engaged our members have been in a long time. This is about pay but there is a culmination of issues — it is about recruitment and retention.”

The Inverclyde EIS branch has publicly accused employers of showing them no respect, a comment which sparked a social media row.

Local council leader Stephen McCabe, who is a senior Cosla representative, hit back at the claim, saying an increase of 10 per cent would put other jobs at risk.

The online row was sparked when the union’s Inverclyde branch posted a message on Twitter which read: “On World Teacher Day, reflect on the brilliant work we do inspiring the workers and dreamers of the future.

“Then reflect on the 24 per cent gap between what we should be earning and what we do earn.

“Then reflect on the fact that our employers don’t respect that work at all.”

Council leader Stephen McCabe replied to the post, calling it ‘simply untrue’. 

He said: “Scotland’s councillors have the greatest respect for the work you do. 

“The reality is that any increase in the current offer will lead to further cuts to jobs and services unless additional funding was to be provided by the Scottish Government.”