Dear Colleagues The final proposal from COSLA detailing changes they wish to make to teachers' conditions of services are now available to download from here. Paper copies of this proposal and a ballot paper will be sent to all members working in the public sector during the next 10 days.   Please contact us if you have not received a ballot paper by 10 March.   The return date is 22 March 2011. I must stress that this Association has…

Dear Colleages I regret to inform you that no progress as been made on SNCT negotiations or COSLA agenda because the COSLA representatives cancelled the meeting late on Wednesday. We do not, as yet, have a firm date for a replacement meeting but expect to meet next week. I will, of course, contact you as soon as further information is available and the Association will continue to add updated information to the website. If you have any questions or comments…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

TO Members in Aberdeen City Dear Colleague You will have received a communication from Aberdeen City Council this morning, which is a blatant attempt to blackmail teachers in the authority. This Association utterly condemns any attempt to blackmail teachers into accepting a salary reduction. We will take all necessary steps to support members in Aberdeen and will certainly ballot on industrial action should either of these measures be imposed. Please note however that Aberdeen City Council will not take any…

Dear Colleagues We were informed today that the SNCT meeting on Wednesday has been cancelled due to inclement weather.   There is no date as yet for the rescheduled meeting.   As soon as we have information it will be added to the website and emailed to those members for whom we have email addresses.   If we do not have an email address for you please email us and we'll add you to the mailing list.   At this…

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…