Dear Colleagues, A huge thank you to everyone who gave up their time yesterday to stand on wet and windy streets throughout Scotland and publicise our opposition to the planned theft from public sector pensions. The event in Edinburgh was very well attended and good humoured, albeit a bit cold and windy (typical Edinburgh weather really), and reports are coming in of the same marvellous support and good humour across the country. Most remote report so far comes from Rosemary…

Dear Colleagues In view of the fact that a very small number of our members who are about to embark on maternity leave may be in danger of compromising their Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). It has been decided that all members about to go on maternity leave are exempted from the obligation to go on strike. Yours sincerely Ann Ballinger General Secretary

One day strike will reduce your pension* by only £2.19 a year *For a teacher at the top of the maingrade scale A further £6.57 will be lost from any lump sum. Effect on pensionable salary for those who are within ten years of retirement = nil

The Association will inform your employer of the result of the ballot and the number of members in each establishment likely to take strike action on 30 November. Your employer will inform the Head Teacher of the number of employees taking action on that day. There is no need for members to inform their line manager, or to add to the information provided by the Association.

The ballot on industrial action closed today, Monday 21 November 2011, at 12 noon. I am delighted to report that we achieved a response of 66.3% with 79.19% in favour of action and 20.81% against.

Ballot Papers for the ballot on Industrial Action resulting from changes to Pension Provision are being sent out by the Independent Scrutineer to member's home addresses from Tuesday 8 November. The Ballot closes at 12 noon on Monday 21 November. Results will be published as soon as possible after the close of the ballot.

You will have seen the announcement from the UK Government today and their claim that this ‘new proposal’ answers all of our concerns. They even claim this new proposal is a good deal for teachers. To assist your deliberations the proposals are explained below: