Poorly rewarded directors of education, who advised the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities about the teachers’ pay deal, have been given a dose of their own medicine. Like other chief officers in local authorities they have failed to reach agreement after months of talks and have been forced to opt for arbitration.
The chiefs wanted parity with office and technical staff who got 3.3 per cent - far less, of course, than the teachers’ 3.6 per cent. They were offered 3 per cent and told Cosla where to stick it.
The Association of Directors of Education should be in a good position to influence events, however. Alan Blackie, their spokesman, is East Lothian’s director and can nip along the corridor to have a quiet word with council leader Norman Murray - who just happens to be president of Cosla.