The salaries committee of the Educational institute of Scotland turned down the package of measures worth �200m when they met on Friday evening

The head of the EIS, Ronnie Smith, says in real terms the deal amounts to less than 15% rise in pay over three years in return for an immediate 18% increase in workload.

BBC Scotland's Education Correspondent Kenneth Macdonald reports on what might now happen

It is now thought the union, which represents around 80% of teachers in Scotland, will recommend members to vote against the offer and demand a straight 8% pay rise instead.

But if the matter is not settled soon, strike action could be the next move.

The three year offer made on Friday to union bosses by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) includes average pay rises of 15%, a cut in classroom sizes and a pledge that working hours will not be increased.

But in return teachers are being asked to give up five days' holiday, run homework clubs and hold summer schools.

Plans to cut class sizes

Cosla says it will be a tragedy if the deal is rejected.

Union officials from the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association said the offer is an improvement but still not good enough.

The National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers has dismissed the package as "30 pieces of counterfeit silver".

Negotiations on the matter of pay have been going on for more than a year and teachers have been waiting for their salary rises since April.

Cosla, which last met officially with unions nearly five months ago, wants teachers to be more flexible when it comes to their work in the classroom.

Cosla package

The unions' long-held belief is that they are not opposed to reform but are unsure if members will accept the Cosla package.

Currently, Scottish teachers' pay deals have the force of law - but if talks fail the councils may call for that privilege to be abolished.

A Cosla spokeswoman said the matter would not be resolved on Friday.

She said any fresh offer is expected to be debated by the unions.

"This is an ongoing situation. We cannot anticipate what the next move of the unions will be," she added.