Elizabeth Maginnis, the education authorities’ chief negotiator, had some inkling about the likely mood of teachers if her colleagues had stuck to their previous 2.7 per cent offer when the unions were demanding 4.7 per cent.
Joining in the celebrations that followed Hearts’s triumph in the Scottish Cup, Maginnis had the unusual experience of being greeted warmly by a teacher, afellow Hearts fan. After the footballing niceties were dealt with, Maginnis was told: “Now really make my day and give us 4.7 per cent.”