The Hutton interim report suggests a number of 'money saving' improvements to public service pensions. It would appear that the solutions are known before the problem is identified. The scheme revaluation, currently underway, won't be reported until 2012. In the meantime proposals, possibly to include: • raising the retirement age • increasing employee contributions • move to average salary pensions will decimate the contractual benefit we enjoy and deprive teachers of the retirement they have so hard worked for.…
SSTA responds to Cabinet Secretary's bullying
Colleagues You may have noted from newspaper reports that the Scottish Government has threatened to remove the Association from the Management Board if we consult members on the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence. It has also been suggested that at a time of financial difficulties we should be concentrating on protecting salaries and pensions. I would simply ask what, in a time of recession, could be more important than the education of future generations. Executive meets on 1…
An invitation to respond to GTC Scotland consultations 2010
In January 2008 the First Minister announced that the General Teaching Council for Scotland would be established as a ‘self- regulatory, profession led body, along the lines of the General Medical Council. Consultation followed focussing on some key functions of the Council and in January 2010 the response to that consultation was published. To enact the resultant changes to the Council, regulation will be placed before Parliament in September 2010. The current 12th Council will continue to exist in the…
Teachers' Side Submission to the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission
The commission will undertake a fundamental structural review of public service pension provision by Budget 2011. It will produce an interim report in September 2010 ahead of the Spending Review. Scope of the Commission's work The commission will make recommendations on how public service pensions can be made sustainable and affordable in the long-term, fair to both the public service workforce and the taxpayer, and ensure that they are consistent with the fiscal challenges ahead. The Commission will consider issues…
EHRC - Inquiry into Disability Related Harassment
Please note that the Equality and Human Rights Commission is conducting an inquiry into disability related harassment. The remit is explained fully here, but please note that the geographical area covered does include Scotland, so members are encouraged to submit responses as appropriate. Thanks http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/legal-and-policy/formal-inquiries/inquiry-into-disability-related-harassment/ The deadline is 10th September.
Maternity Leave and the Accrual of Holidays
In June of this year the SNCT amended the national Conditions of service in relation to accrual of holidays during Maternity leave in order to bring teachers' conditions of service in line with legislation. The new arrangements are more complex that the previous ones. The text of the arrangements is available from Part 2: Section 7 of the The SNCT Handbook of Conditions of Service Outline of the Arrangements Teachers on maternity leave now accrue holidays on the same basis…
General Secretary responds to the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Mike Russell
Dear Colleagues, You may have been aware of recent attacks on this organisation by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Mike Russell. Long memories are a rare asset in politics. Mr Russell was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2007 as a list MSP. He was elected by 27.8% of the 58% who voted, perhaps 15% of the electorate. The Cabinet Secretary has felt it necessary to twice mention the SSTA in his recent pronouncements. The cynic among…
Special offer for new members
Join Now and get 50% OFF Subscription Fees for the First 12 months. We believe that it is essential that the views of secondary teachers are firmly represented. Secondary teaching is not simply more specialised primary teaching. The current problems associated with CfE should make this clear. If you wish your views as a secondary teacher to be fully represented, there is only one union you can join. Join the SSTA now! Every member has direct…
Pension Proposals Update
Recent press reports suggest that the Government may be planning to amend the legislation to break the current link between annual increases in pension payments and the RPI, replacing it with a link to the much lower CPI. Teacher unions throughout the UK are working together to stop this proposal ever happening. At present the campaign is being conducted through the Pensions Working Group and is of a very technical and legal nature. If this is unsuccessful a…
Financial Statement to members
As required by the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 the Association's financial statement to members for the period 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009 can be downloaded here. Adobe Acrobat reader is required to open the document and can be downloaded from http://get.adobe.com/reader/
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