SSTA General Secretary Report - September 2016

BALLOT FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION TO BEGIN SSTA National Executive has set the date for the start of the formal postal ballot for Industrial Action on reducing Teacher Workload. The Ballot will commence on 14 September and close on 30 September. The National Executive are very much aware of the efforts of the Deputy First Minister to address Teacher Workload and promote Teacher Professional Judgement but Teacher Workload needs to be reduced in the current session. The SSTA asks again for…

Ballot for Industrial Action to Begin

SSTA National Executive has set the date for the start of the formal postal ballot for Industrial Action on reducing Teacher Workload. The Ballot will commence on the 14 September and close on 30 September. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “the National Executive is very much aware of the efforts of the Deputy First Minister to address Teacher Workload and promote Teacher Professional Judgement but Teacher Workload needs to be reduced in the current session”. “The SSTA wishes to…

SSTA Members’ Briefing

The Association is holding a series of Members' briefing around the country during the month of September. All members are encouraged to attend Agenda General Secretary - Members’ Update, Workload, Industrial Action and Pay Named Person - Briefing including how to manage in school Pensions - How to make your pension work for you and retiring at 60? The briefing will start at 5.00pm and be repeated at 7.00pm. Refreshments will be available prior to the start of both meetings.…

SSTA Annual Congress 2016 #SSTA16 - Life Membership Awards

The Association awarded Past President's Alan McKenzie and Margaret Smith with their Life Membership scroll at this years Annual Congress at Crieff Hydro, Friday 20th May 2016.  Video of their testimonials and acceptance speeches can be viewed below.

Young People Need Support in Schools in Dealing with LGBTI Issues

The SSTA urges the Scottish Government to ensure priority is given to supporting young people, particularly those under the age of 16, in all school environments in dealing with the whole spectrum of LGBTI issues and of gender recognition including that of non-binary. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “LGBT rights have been increasingly strengthened, supported by legislation and increasingly recognised and supported in society. Discrimination protections were extended to all, including LGBT people under the Equality Act 2010. Transgender people have had…

SSTA moves to Industrial Action Ballot to cut Teacher Workload

The SSTA National Executive has sanctioned a formal ballot for Industrial Action to cut teacher workload. The National Executive considered the recent SSTA Indicative Ballot and are of the view that it had no option but to move to a formal ballot to protect its members. The Indicative Ballot showed that members were unhappy with the current proposals, with 91% of respondents prepared take industrial action short of strike action and 64% prepared to take strike action if necessary. Seamus…

SSTA prepared to take action to cut Teacher Workload

The SSTA has completed an Indicative Ballot of its members to assess the measures proposed by the Government to reduce teacher workload with a focus on the assessment required for National Qualifications. This was in response to SSTA members across Scotland asking for some action to be taken to address the workload that is demoralising teachers in the current qualification cycle. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “the ballot clearly shows that members are unhappy with the current proposals with…