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Home Economics is disappearing from Secondary Schools

The SSTA conducted a school representative survey to gauge the situation of home economics and home economic teachers in secondary schools across Scotland. The survey was completed by 190 school representatives (53% of secondary schools). Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said “Home economics as a subject is at serious risk of disappearing from secondary school timetables due not only to the shortage of home economics teachers but by the lack of support by local authorities and headteachers”. “How this can…

STATEMENT FROM THE BRITISH AND IRISH GROUP OF TEACHER UNIONS

Work overload negatively affecting wellbeing in education systems Following the first in-person meeting of Presidents and General Secretaries from the ten education unions within the British and Irish Group of Teacher Unions (BIGTU), the group has called on policy makers within their jurisdictions to prioritise the tackling of teacher workload and the promotion of practitioner wellbeing within schools, colleges and universities. Teachers and lecturers are increasingly expected to work long hours each week. There is mounting concern amongst education unions…

Information for Members - 05/09/2022

Message to Members 1 April 2022

Teachers’ Pay Offer for 2021-2022 - Accepted The SSTA attended a meeting of the SNCT Teachers’ Side (31 March) where constituent parties confirmed their view on the revised 2022 pay offer. All parties stated their union’s position and SSTA representatives followed the view taken by members (SSTA members had voted 71.6% rejected) against accepting the pay offer. However, the SNCT Teachers’ Side voted to accept and the SSTA is bound by the collective decision reluctantly to accept. The SNCT Teachers’ Side confirmed…

Conditions of Service / Information for Members / SQA - 04/01/2022

SSTA Rejects the Derisory Teachers’ Pay Offer for 2021-2022

The SSTA conducted a consultative ballot on the revised Teachers’ Pay Offer for 2021-2022 and it was largely rejected by 71.6% of members with a turnout of 50.3%. Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said“The offer was not only late but far below what could be expected for the sterling work teachers had undertaken throughout the pandemic to ensure children’s education was maintained. The employers said they recognised the good work of teachers, but their actions speak volumes”.“SSTA members rejected the offer…

Conditions of Service / Information for Members - 03/30/2022

Consultative Ballot – Revised 2021 Pay Offer

The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee is conducting a Consultative Ballot of members on the revised pay offer. The Consultative Ballot will commence on Wednesday 16 March and will close at noon on Tuesday 29 March 2022. Emails are being sent out to members 'preferred' email addresses. Please note: only members employed by a local authority will be invited to participate in the consultative ballot. The detailed revised 2021 Formal Pay Offer made on 25 February 2022 was A 1.22% increase…

Conditions of Service / Information for Members - 03/16/2022

SSTA Members Update – Pay, SQA and Covid

Teachers’ Pay 2021-2022. The story so far……. In the autumn of 2020 the SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee submitted a claim to the SNCT Teachers’ Side for a restorative pay award that promoted the retention and recruitment of teachers. This was expected to be paid to teachers on 1 April 2021. In December 2020 the SNCT Teachers’ Side agreed the following pay claim that would be paid to all teachers without differentiation: “A range of 3%-5% is the…

Conditions of Service / COVID-19 / Information for Members / SQA - 03/14/2022

Retirement Workshops

The Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme Retirement Workshops This is one of the most important years to look at various options that you have available regarding your retirement. With the changes that have been brought about following the Sergeant and McCloud ruling you need to understand the impact these will have on your pension and your retirement. L-Life Ltd, in conjunction with the SSTA, would like to invite you to a free virtual workshop concentrating on the decisions you will/are being faced…

Information for Members / Pensions - 02/24/2022

SNCT Teachers' Panel Pay Claim 2022

The SNCT Teachers’ Panel met on Friday 4 February to consider the current pay offer (2021-2022) and a potential pay claim for (2022-2023). 2021-2022 Pay ClaimThe existing Cosla offer 1% from April 2021,a further 1% from January 2022 anda one-off payment of £100 This offer was rejected by the SSTA in December and was formally rejected by all members of the SNCT Teachers’ Panel. It is expected that negotiations are to continue later this week. 2022-2023 Pay ClaimThe Government’s public sector pay…

Conditions of Service / Information for Members - 02/07/2022

Covid-19 Members Update -7 January 2022

COVID-19 Update As schools return after the Christmas break the spread of the Omicron variant has led to a rapidly changing situation in schools. The latest Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance on reducing the risks from COVID-19 in schools was issued on the 7 January 2022 .This guidance includes updates to Self-isolation sections (paras 54 to 94)Vaccination section based on latest JCVI advice (paras 115 to 120)Outbreak management (paras 185 and 186) In addition, please find a link to the Covid – Good Practice Guide that has…

Information for Members - 01/07/2022

SSTA rejects that latest pay offer from the employers (COSLA)

SSTA rejects that latest pay offer from the employers (COSLA) The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee met on 15 December and firmly rejected the latest employers’ pay offer and regarded it as further insult to the hardworking and committed teacher workforce in Scotland. The SNCT Teachers’ Side pay claim for April 2021 was lodged in December 2020 and, despite a series of meetings, COSLA had only been prepared to make a pay offer of a 1.22% increase from…

Information for Members - 12/17/2021