The First Minister came under fire after teachers rejected the latest pay offer from the Scottish Government and council body Cosla, paving the way for further crippling strikes in the weeks ahead.
Trade unions said the proposed deal offered "no real improvement" on a previous offer rejected three months ago, and would actually be worse for many members.
The Scottish Government submitted a pay offer to teachers last week that was summarily dismissed by the unions. Under that proposal, teachers earning under £40,107 would receive an increase of £1,926 per year – 6.85 per cent for those on the lowest salaries – while those on more would get 5 per cent.
