Bulletin No 420/11 - January 2011

The January 2011 edition of the SSTA Bulletin can be downloaded here. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open the Bulletin. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader it can be downloaded from http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/.

10 February 2011 Update

Colleagues During the course of today we have become aware of some unexpected additional cuts to education within Local Authority budget proposals. At yesterday's meeting COSLA did warn the teachers' side that their proposal would appear as “ a done deal”   in budgets because “these savings have to be made” but they (COSLA) were still prepared to negotiate. The Teachers' side have not agreed to any proposal, and will not. A final decision will be made by members in…

Update on SNCT Meeting

Dear Colleagues I regret to inform you that no final decision was reached at the SNCT meeting today.   It was agreed in advance that the discussion would not be subject to comment outside the meeting until a decision is reached.   The proposals explained to you in earlier emails are still representing the employers' position.   Further meetings will take place during the next two weeks and I guarantee to keep you informed of any decisions made.   This…

EI condemns “desperate tactics” as Egypt uprising turns violent

Education International has called for Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak to bring an immediate end to the violence being led by his regime against peaceful demonstrators who continue to demand fundamental rights and democratic change. After a day of clashes between supporters of the President and protesters calling on him to resign immediately, Egyptian state television reports that hundreds of people have been wounded in pitched battles across Cairo. EI calls for an immediate end to the violent repression of peaceful…

Negotiations with COSLA

Dear Colleagues The convener of the Salaries and Conditions committee was part of the delegation which met with COSLA and the Scottish Government on Monday 31 January.   Subsequently our Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee met today, Tuesday 1 February, to determine our response to the most recent proposals. COSLA wish us to believe that, in return for considerable detriment to our conditions of service new teacher posts will be created.   However they are unable to give us…

New Exam Information

Dear Colleagues SQA have indicated that they will publish Course Rationale and Summary documents for National 4 and National 5 this morning (Monday 31.01.11). These draft documents will be made available on the SQA website (http://www.sqa.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence). There is a very short consultation period, 2 months, and the Association will be asked for immediate responses to the document. If you have time in your busy schedule to look at the rationale for your subject a short (or long) comment sent to…

Aberdeen City Indicative Ballot Results

Dear Colleagues The indicative ballot closed at midnight on Wednesday 26 January 2011.   Part 1 related to ballot verification then two questions were asked.   The response to questions 2 & 3 were: 2. In the event of compulsory redundancies: 64.4% in favour of a ballot on action including strike action 35.6% in favour of a ballot on action short of strike action 3. In the event of a pay cut being imposed: 80.5% in favour of a ballot…

Pay demand made by the Teachers' side

Dear Colleagues You may have noted the comments in newspapers today about the pay demand made by the Teacher's side, and wrongly credited to the EIS. The claim was for a minimum of 3.3%, based on the rate of CPI during 2010. Apart from the obvious purpose of this claim it is vitally important that our employers are aware of the loss teachers will suffer if a freeze on pay is maintained. The Convener of Salaries and Conditions of Service…

Possible action by COSLA/Scottish Government to end conservation

Dear Colleagues Many of you will be aware of the article in newspapers at the weekend, discussing possible action to end conservation.   This was one of the proposals agreed between COSLA and the Scottish Government in November 2010.   Teacher Unions have not agreed to this and negotiations are currently underway.   At this stage the Management side have been unable to provide us with any of the details needed to make a rational decision. COSLA are stating their…

Union Warns Over Abuse of Internet Help for Pupils

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, representing 8500 teachers in Scotland's Secondary Schools, today warned its members over problems caused following harassment of some of its member via electronic mail.   In particular harassment by pupils was now a significant concern. The union issued its advice today on its website pointing out that the situation had become worse in recent days as teachers worked from home and tried to maintain contact with students especially those who would take national examinations next…