STRIKING teachers in Inverclyde have warned the Scottish Government they are willing to disrupt school exams this year unless they receive a better pay deal.

More than 250 local EIS members, led by association secretary and national vice president Paula McEwen, told the First Minister, education secretary and local authority employers Cosla that the time for talking is almost over.

They came together to march through Greenock to mark the end of the latest round of national strikes, with trade union leader Roz Foyer of the STUC and EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley also in attendance.

The display of determination and unity came as another two national strikes were announced before another wave of rolling industrial action.

In a bid to heap more pressure on Holyrood, EIS chiefs declared yesterday that they will not meet ministers again until there is an improved offer on the table.

Speaking to the Tele, Paula, who is also a local teacher, said: "It was incredible to see this level of support - it shows the strength of feeling here in Inverclyde.

"Our message is clear, we don't want to be on strike, we want to be in the classrooms. That is what we live for but we are saying to the Scottish Government that the time for talking is over. They need to make us an offer we won't be able to turn down.

"We have had nothing from them since November 22.

"The next round of strikes will end on April 21 as the exams begin and it is up to the Scottish Government to come back to us with something much better than the derisory five per cent they have offered us.

"Our parents are overwhelmingly supporting us, the national parent forum showed support was at 80 per cent. The message is clear."

Ms Foyer spoke to EIS members at the rally in the Tontine alongside Ms Bradley, who addressed the risk posed to the SQA exams which start on April 24.

She said:"I would say just because there is an exam diet looming, our first pay claim went in before the last exam diet.

"I think that shows how little Cosla and the Scottish Government really care, or they would have settled by now.

"If we are forced to continue action through the exam periods, than that is what we will need to do."

She added: "Compromise has to come from both sides or you are simply negotiating the terms of your surrender - and we are not surrendering."

Photos: George Munro