In severe winter weather you may have problems travelling to school. It is important to balance your safety with your employer's right to expect you to attend work, but safety must always be the most important consideration.   Members are advised to take the following steps: Make sure you have a copy of the Local Authority procedure for inclement weather and follow the advice in the document. Check the appropriate website for school closure advice. Listen to official advice about…

Dear Colleagues You may have noted speculation in TESS about the creation of new posts for current probationers. I have sought assurances that teachers currently seeking employment will not be penalised and am somewhat reassured by the promise that posts will be advertised and the selection process will be that normally used by local authorities. We have been informed that the only relevance the phrase ‘current probationers' has is numerical, and will dictate the number of posts to be appointed.…

Dear Colleagues Speculation about changes to teachers' conditions of service Many of you will be aware of recent speculation in the press and elsewhere about attempts by COSLA to change those parts of the McCrone deal they dislike. Shortly after the budget announcement on Wednesday 17 November John Swinney wrote to the leaders of all Scottish local authorities confirming the following arrangements. COSLA agreed to protect the number of teacher posts as far as possible in order to secure: •…

Dear Colleagues You will be aware of press reports and rumours regarding possible changes to our conditions of service, and the renegotiation of the McCrone deal. As yet there have no proposals put to any teaching union by COSLA so any information is at best speculation. We have a meeting with COSLA on 8 December to discuss their proposals.   Presumably these proposals will be known shortly before then. As soon as we know what COSLA are demanding the information…

16 November 2010 TO:       SSTA MEMBERS Dear Colleagues URGENT - Claims in relation to accrued maternity leave Further to the information provided on the poster sent to schools at the start of the session, the Association now additionally advises as follows. In order to protect the position of members who were on maternity leave during leave year 1/9/09 to 31/8/10 with regard to the accrual of leave during maternity leave, such members are advised to contact the…

Herald Scotland (Andrew Denholm, Education Correspondent) – 28/10/10 06:03 A historic agreement governing the pay and conditions of Scottish teachers should be re-opened as council budget cuts loom, the Education Secretary said yesterday. Michael Russell told the Scottish Parliament's education committee it was time for the 2001 McCrone deal to be “revisited”. The comment came as the committee discussed suggestions from some councils that increasing the hours teachers spend in the classroom would allow them to cut staff and save…