SNCT Response to the Cabinet Secretary’s ‘Delivering Reduced Class Contact Time’

The SNCT Teachers’ Side met this morning to discuss concerns arising from the Cabinet Secretary’s press release, Delivering Reduced Class Contact Time, issued on Thursday 20 November, along with the subsequent document Delivering Reduced Class Contact Time: A National Deal for Scotland’s Teachers 
 
The SNCT Reduction in Class Contact Time working group had met on Wednesday 19 November, where no progress was made in agreeing the use of the promised 90-minute reduction in class contact time. No reference was made at that meeting to the forthcoming press release. The timing and nature of the announcement appear to undermine the established SNCT negotiating machinery and the ongoing industrial action ballots being organised by the teacher unions.
 
The SNCT Teachers’ Side agreed that each union will review the documents and reconvene to agree a formal response. It was further agreed that the Teachers’ Side would issue a statement highlighting the failure to conduct negotiations on teachers’ terms and conditions through the recognised SNCT channels.
 
Members are reminded that the SNCT Teachers’ Side remains in dispute regarding the Government’s failure to implement its commitment to reducing class contact time. The unions’ ballots for industrial action will continue, as the latest announcement does not address either the use of the 90 minutes or any clear timescale for implementation. The SSTA ballot arrangements are currently being finalised with an independent postal ballot provider, and members will receive full details early next week.
 
All members are encouraged to check and update their membership details as soon as possible to ensure ballot papers are delivered to the correct home address.