Secondary school teachers have turned down a 5% salary offer, with 70% saying they would support strikes without a better deal.
The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) said 80% of its members opposed Cosla Local Authority’s proposal.
The negotiations come amid a cost of living crisis caused by rising inflation and rising energy prices.
Cosla declined to comment after being approached by BBC Scotland.
The Scottish Government said it was “obliged to support a fair salary offer for teachers”.
Cosla has also been embroiled in industrial disputes with education workers and cleaning workers in recent months.
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Seamus Searson, the union’s general secretary, said: “SSTA members have done everything they can over the last few years to keep education flowing and ensure all young people are not neglected during these trying times.
“Teachers leave the job because of the excessive workload and a poor salary offer only adds insult to injury.”
The dispute between council staff and Cosla was settled earlier this month following the intervention of First Secretary Nicola Sturgeon, with unions praising their role in bringing the negotiations to a close.
Mr Searson added: “The Scottish Government must come out on top and be ready to come up with a salary offer that will keep teachers and recognize their tremendous efforts over the last few years.
“Teachers are already struggling to keep schools running with very low morale, and Cosla’s derogatory salary offer only adds to her feeling of being grossly undervalued.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are committed to supporting a fair salary offer for teachers through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, the body that negotiates teachers’ salaries and working conditions.
“Industrial action would be in nobody’s interest, least of all the students and parents.”
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