NASUWT union members will be voted on to strike over contact time between classes.
The union accused the Scottish Government of failing to deliver on the SNP's manifesto commitment ahead of the 2021 election to reduce contact time by one and a half hours a week.
Announcing the move, NASUWT national officer for Scotland, Mike Corbett, said teachers are “arguably worse off in terms of workload” than before the last election.
“The commitment on contact time in class was a recognition by the Scottish Government that additional time outside the classroom was necessary to give teachers sufficient time and space to plan, prepare and evaluate pupils' work in order to help them achieve their best and improve their attainment.
“Since 2024, we have had agreements to work 'at pace' and the establishment of working groups by the Scottish Government and Cosla to make significant progress in reducing contact time in class.
“But the reality is that today teachers are possibly in a worse situation in terms of workloads and work hours than in 2021, when this commitment was made for the first time.
“A reduction in contact time in class is as necessary now, if not more so, than in 2021.
“It is unfortunate that we have been forced to declare a trade dispute and move to a vote to try to force the Government to give teachers the working conditions that it recognizes they need to do their jobs effectively.”
The union's general secretary, Matt Wrack, said it had “exhausted all avenues” to reduce contact time, adding: “When ministers and employers continue to fail our teachers, we will defend their right to working conditions that enable them to deliver the highest quality of learning to our children and young people.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Ministers have been clear that reducing contact in class will help provide the time and space needed for teachers, to enable them to drive improvements and reforms in our schools and improve outcomes for their pupils.
“We are committed to working with teaching unions and Cosla to agree our approach to achieving a pace reduction in contact time in class.
“That is why we are providing local authorities with a £186.5 million funding boost to restore teaching numbers – this additional funding was accepted by local government on the understanding that they will make 'significant progress' in reducing contact between classes.
“Ministers respect the right of union members to walk away from work, but are disappointed that the NASUWT has taken this action while these constructive discussions continue.”
