Professor McCormac, Chair of the Review of Teacher Employment, has issued a Call for Evidence to be submitted to the Review Group from interested parties.   Members are encouraged to give their opinions by complete the questionnaire.   Please remember that group replies are frequently given the same weighting as individual ones.   For that reason it is very important that as many members as possible respond giving their views.   The questionnaire can be found on the Scottish Government…

Dear Colleagues Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee met on Wednesday 2 March 2011, where it was agreed that a consultative ballot of members employed in the state sector would take place in relation to the changes in conditions of service proposed by COLSA.   In addition to being asked if they support the proposals, members will be asked to consider whether industrial action should take place if the changes are imposed by COSLA.   Details of the proposed changes…

A list of frequently asked questions and answers regarding the COLSA Proposals has been produced for the information of members.   If you have a question that is not answered here please email SSTA HQ at info@ssta.org.uk. Q1. Does the comment in section 2 of the document about ‘sufficient teaching posts for all probationers' mean that Probationers finishing is 2011 are guaranteed a job? A. NO they are not. The comment in Section 2 refers to the number of jobs…

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…