The SNCT Extended Joint Chairs met earlier today (Monday 28 January) where COSLA submitted a revised pay offer to the Teachers’ Side. The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee will meet this afternoon to consider the offer.
An email will be sent to members on Tuesday 29 January with details of the offer and the next steps to be taken.
The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee met on 14 January to consider developments in the 2018 Pay Negotiations.
1) COSLA Offer – 7 January
The Committee firmly rejected the COSLA offer (3% in April 2018 plus a further 2% in August). This offer also included a 3% increase in April 2019 and a 3% increase in April 2020. The Committee appreciated that this offer removed the divisive intent in previous offers but did not meet the aspirations of members. Should this be the only offer on the table from COSLA the Committee recommended that SSTA move to a statutory ballot for industrial action.
2) Deputy First Minister’s Letter – 10 January
The Committee then considered the Deputy First Minister’s (DFM) letter. This letter sets out the willingness of Scottish Government to improve the 7 January offer by restructuring the 2% originally being offered in August 2018 to a new figure of 3%, payable in January 2019. (Draft Salary Scales based on the DFM’s letter can be downloaded here)
At the moment the DFM’s letter is not an offer. Only COSLA, as our employers, can legally make an offer and COSLA has said it cannot consider making an offer until its Leaders meeting planned for 25 January. The Committee is concerned that COSLA has been a major stumbling block throughout the negotiations if it were keen to resolve this dispute they should be able to table a new offer quickly.
The Committee agreed should a new offer be forthcoming SSTA would conduct a Consultative Ballot of members.
3) The View of Members – Opinion Survey
In preparation for the next stage of the SSTA Campaign the Committee has agreed to conduct an opinion survey of members on the proposal contained within the Deputy First Minister’s letter.
This opinion survey is to be conducted through SSTA School Representatives. The Committee is recommending that school representatives hold a meeting of members in schools to discuss the proposal and report the views of members back to SSTA Head Office. The opinion survey will be sent to the school representatives on Wednesday 16 January.
School Representatives will receive an e-mail invitation for the survey on Wednesday morning. If you do not receive this invitation please contact the SSTA Office.
Should your school not have a School Representative members should elect a rep and inform the SSTA Office. Information on the duties of a School Representative can be found here
Members Details
We are reaching the final stage of negotiation and we need to be ready to conduct a formal ballot of members. It is essential that we have accurate postal addresses and preferred email addresses to ensure members views are recorded. Members can notify us of any changes to their details by completing a form at www.ssta.org.uk/updatedetails
COSLA Offer – 7 January
COSLA (the employers) tabled an offer on 7 January. No further improvements were presented. For those on the main-grade scale the offer essentially remains the same as the one previously rejected in the consultative ballot (3% plus a further 2% in August), with the addition of 3% for Year 2 (2019/20) and 3% for Year 3(2020/21).
SNCT Teachers’ Side – 8 January
The SNCT Teachers’ Side (SSTA, EIS, NASUWT, Voice, ADHS and SLS) met on 8 January and rejected the COSLA offer and also recorded a “failure to agree”. In an attempt to agree a settlement, the Teachers’ Side confirmed its willingness to meet again, as and when required should any improved offer from COSLA / Scottish Government be forthcoming.
Deputy First Minister’s Letter – 10 January
The DFM issued a letter late on 10 January. The DFM sets out the willingness of Scottish Government to improve the 7th January offer by restructuring the 2% originally being offered in August 2018 to a new figure of 3%, payable in January, 2019.
The net impact of this change is that over a 2-year period the offer would be worth a 9.25% increase compared to March 2018 [3% April 2018 (backdated) + 3% January 2019 + 3% April 2019]. For Headteachers on more than £80,000 it would be worth slightly less as the April 2018 offer is capped at a flat rate of £1,600; and for probationers and those on main grade Point 1 it is worth more as the proposal would still be to shorten the main grade from 6 points to 5. A further proposed 3% in April 2020 would take the compounded increase to 12.5%, compared to March 2018, i.e. current scales.
However, at the moment the DFM’s letter is not an offer. Only COSLA, as our employers, can legally make an offer. COSLA has said it cannot consider making an offer until its Leaders meeting planned for 25 January. It cannot be taken as a formality as COSLA has had difficulties internally in making any improved offer to teachers’ pay throughout the negotiation process.
SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee – 14 January
The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee will consider developments at its meeting today. In the absence of an improved offer from COSLA it will need to plan the next phase of the campaign including moving to a statutory ballot for strike action.
The View of Members
We are reaching the final stage of negotiation and we need to be ready to conduct a formal ballot of members. It is essential that we have accurate postal addresses and preferred email addresses to ensure members views are recorded. Members can notify us of any changes to their details by completing a form at www.ssta.org.uk/updatedetails
Further updates will be issued.
The Independent Panel on Career Pathways has been set up to gather evidence in relation to possible new career pathways for the teaching profession to address the issues related to recruitment and retention, and to provide recommendations to the SNCT. As an element of its evidence-gathering work, the Panel has organised a consultation event exclusively for BME teachers.
The details of the event are:
Date: Thursday 17th January 2019
Time: 1630-1800
Venue: Meeting Room 108
Jurys Inn Glasgow
80 Jamaica Street
Glasgow
G1 4QG
Refreshments will be available on arrival.
SNCT Joint Extended Joint Chairs (SSTA, EIS, COSLA and Government) met on Monday 7 January in an attempt to reach a negotiated settlement before the offer is considered by the unions.
A further version of the December offer was tabled which resolved some anomalies in the previous offer. No further improvements were presented. For those on the main-grade scale the offer essentially remains the same as the one previously rejected in the consultative ballot (3% plus a further 2% in August), with the addition of 3% for Year 2 (2019/20) and 3% for Year 3(2020/21).
SNCT Teachers’ Side (SSTA, EIS, NASUWT, Voice, ADHS and SLS) met on Tuesday 8 January and rejected the COSLA offer and also recorded a “failure to agree”. In the absence of an improved offer from COSLA, the SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee will consider its next phase of the campaign including moving to a statutory ballot for strike action.
In an attempt to agree a settlement, the Teachers’ Side proposed options which would improve the offer for all teachers, but it remains to be seen if these will be taken up. We confirmed our willingness to meet again, as and when required should any improved offer from COSLA / Scottish Government be forthcoming. A further update will be issued next week
Important Information for Members
As we move to the final stage of negotiation we need to be ready to conduct a ballot of members. It is essential that we have accurate postal addresses and preferred email addresses to ensure members views are recorded.
In the event of a statutory ballot for industrial action only members who are employed by Local Authorities will be entitled to take part in the ballot. As the dispute and any action can only be taken against an employer not the Government. It is therefore, essential that membership details are correct so that the Association and members taking action are protected legally by the conditions of the statutory ballot.
Members can notify us of any changes to their details by completeing a form at www.ssta.org.uk/updatedetails
2018 Pay Update – 20 December 2018
Following on from a meeting of the SNCT Joint Extended Joint Chairs (SSTA, EIS, COSLA and Government) on Monday 17 December a further meeting took place on Thursday 20 December in an attempt to reach a negotiated settlement.
COSLA and Scottish Government confirmed the revised offer that addressed the need for a universal offer for all teachers at all grades except for Headteachers above £80,000 who are limited to £1,600 increase.
This offer remains short of the SNCT pay claim with the Scottish Government still seeking agreement around a multi-year deal. Discussions took place on suggestions made by teachers side in seeking to improve the value of the offer.
It was agreed to arrange a further meeting of Extended Joint Chairs and this has been set for the afternoon of Monday 7 January 2019. This is seen as the last opportunity to reach a negotiated settlement before the offer is considered by the unions. It has been a long and slow process but please be reassured that SSTA is pursing every avenue to get the best deal for teachers.
The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee are awaiting the outcome of the negotiations and it will then be deciding upon the next steps in the 2018 Pay Campaign. As we move to the final stage of negotiation we need to be ready to conduct a ballot of members. It is essential that we have accurate postal addresses and preferred email addresses.
A meeting of the SNCT Joint Extended Joint Chairs (SSTA, EIS, COSLA and Government) took place on Monday 17 December.
COSLA and Scottish Government tabled a revised offer, which addressed the need for a universal offer for all teachers to be made. This offer still fell short of the SNCT pay claim and as anticipated Scottish Government was seeking agreement around a multi-year deal.
The teachers side made a number of suggestions, seeking to improve the value of the offer and both Scottish Government and COSLA have taken these suggestions away for consideration.
A further meeting of Extended Joint Chairs has been set for the afternoon of Thursday 20 December.
The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee are awaiting the outcome of the negotiations and it will then be deciding upon the next steps in the 2018 Pay Campaign. The SSTA is determined not to allow the 2018 teachers’ pay rise to be delayed much longer and we need to be prepared for the potential for a postal ballot for industrial action. It is essential that we have accurate postal addresses and preferred email addresses.
Please update your details with us by completing a form here
Following the close of the Consultative Ballot a meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs (SSTA, EIS, COSLA and Government) took place on Thursday 22 November and negotiations were re-opened. At the meeting, the reasons why the pay offer had been rejected by the vast majority of Scottish teachers and the merits of our pay claim were set out in very clear terms. The need for a much improved and undifferentiated offer was emphasised and the December “negotiating window” was the timescale we referenced.
The union side expressed its disappointment with the decision of the Government and COSLA to attempt to undermine the negotiations by issuing a letter directly to teachers with inaccurate information. The union side made it clear that this must not happen again. The union side also emphasised its intention to reach a negotiated settlement.
As the negotiations have resumed it has been made clear to COSLA and Scottish Government that there is an expectation that there will be an improved proposal for discussion at the next meeting. The next negotiation meeting is scheduled for 3 December.
As we are approaching a critical time in the 2018 pay campaign we need to be prepared for the potential for a postal ballot for industrial action. It is essential that we have accurate postal addresses and preferred email addresses. You can update your details with us by completing a form here
SSTA conducted a survey of members in January 2017 on the changes to National 5 and a further survey in May 2018 following the completion of the new arrangements. 1355 SSTA members responded across all subjects. 87% of teachers saw no reduction in workload as a result of the changes. Teachers also reported a 57% increase in the workload of pupils.
Seamus Searson SSTA General Secretary said
“The Ministers intention to reduce pupil and teacher workload by removing National 5 Units has resulted in an increase in teacher workload. This was caused by changes to National 5 that included extended papers, new exam papers and new coursework. SSTA said when the changes were introduced in January 2017 that workload was not being reduced but spread to other parts of the qualification process. SSTA has continually sought a focus on teacher professional judgment. However, the changes have led to more ‘sticks to beat teachers with”.
“The SSTA surveys show the continuing increase in teacher and pupil workload but more worryingly the potential damage we are doing to our pupils. It is those pupils who are in the middle ability range that are being penalised the most having to complete unnecessary additional units. This takes place during a very stressful time for pupils in the run-up to the examinations. The SSTA saw a 57% increase in pupil workload and members saw an increase of 67% in pupil stress”.
“The Minister’s recent announcement that ‘fallback’ will end in 2019 is not being seen by teachers as a measure to reduce teacher and pupil workload. The drive for statistics has not been tackled, therefore, the requirement for teachers to deliver units for most pupils will continue unabated”.
“The National Qualification system should assess young people at the appropriate time (when leaving school) and assessing them in an appropriate way (assessing what pupils can do and know, not the work undertaken by the teacher). The drive for statistics to measure how successful the education system is ignoring what is in the best interests of the pupils. We need to appreciate pupil’s hard work and their achievements. We must put the joy of education and a big pupil smile at the end of a school day as an important factor of education.”
“SSTA predicted that teacher workload would not be reduced and it would put additional pressure on teachers and pupils. We are creating ‘examination factories’ not places of learning where happiness is seen as a good and valued thing”.
“Units at National 5 were to be removed but we find that schools and local authorities are demanding they are retained as evidence of work undertaken during the course. The units are an unnecessary burden on both pupils and teachers. The SSTA will be issuing guidance to its members NOT to undertake units as part of their teaching schemes unless the pupil is NOT to be entered for the examination. The ‘belt and braces’ approach to education needs to stop and teacher professional judgement and appropriate presentation must be the only option”.
“The National Qualification system needs to be reviewed the present system is not working for our pupils. The conflict between broad general education and the senior phase needs to be resolved. National qualifications have become “never mind the quality feel the width”. The situation of National 4 must be addressed urgently and the premise that is a stepping stone to National 5 is simply not justified as the majority of pupils are not progressing to National 5. We need a system that primarily focuses on teacher professional judgement without the workload heavy, bureaucratic and administrative nonsense we have now”.
Changes to National 5 Survey
The SSTA survey of the proposed changes to National 5 in January 2017 predicted increased workload across all subjects for teachers. (These are shown in black on the attached sheet). The timing of the changes and the lack of preparation time and materials just added to the concerns.
Following the completion of the National 5 Course in May 2018 the SSTA conducted a survey on the impact of the changes. 1355 SSTA members responded across all subjects. (These are shown in red on the attached sheet).
The results showed:
The overall impact on Teacher Workload
87% of members saw no reduction in teacher workload
(67% members seeing an increase in workload and a further 20% of members had seen no reduction in workload).
The removal of units
68% of members saw no reduction in teacher workload
(34% members seeing an increase in workload and a further 34% of members had seen no reduction in workload)
The extending of the exams
82% of members saw no reduction in teacher workload
(53% members seeing an increase in workload and a further 29% member had seen no reduction in workload)
The changes to coursework
73% of members saw no reduction in teacher workload
(49% seeing an increase in teacher workload with a further 24% seeing no reduction)
New question paper
72% of members saw no reduction in teacher workload
(48% seeing an increase in teacher workload with a further 24% seeing no reduction)
New item of coursework
56% of members saw no reduction in teacher workload
(40% seeing an increase in teacher workload with a further 16% seeing no reduction)
Impact on pupils
Pupil Workload – members have seen a 57% increase in pupil workload
Pupil Stress – members have seen a 67% increase in pupil stress
Qualification Success – members are expecting a 28% decrease in qualification success
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Survey Findings are in the attached PDF. “SSTA Survey – Nat 5 Changes”
The SSTA conducted a Consultative Ballot on the 2018 Teachers’ Pay Offer. The SSTA Consultative Ballot closed on Tuesday 20 November. The majority of SSTA members participated in the ballot electronically with a small number of members requesting a postal ballot. Ballots were issued to 6,487 members with 4,729 members participating in the ballot. The response rate was 73%. 97% of respondents rejected the offer with only 3% prepared to accept the pay offer.
Seamus Searson SSTA General Secretary said “I congratulate SSTA members across Scotland for a tremendous response in the ballot and giving a resounding rejection of the pay offer. The Government and Employers have underestimated teachers and tried to create division within different grades of teachers. With 97% of respondents rejecting the pay offer is a strong message to the Government as to the feelings of teachers. It is time for Government to return to the negotiating table and treat teachers with respect and seek a meaningful settlement. The SSTA looks forward to productive talks at the negotiating table in the coming days”.
Kevin Campbell SSTA President added “The SSTA members have spoken. A decisive 97% rejection on a 73% response to the ballot is a credit to SSTA members and their commitment to the restoration of teacher pay levels. Teachers need a sufficient pay rise not only to recruit teachers but more importantly retain those excellent teachers we already have in our schools. Our pupils need highly trained, experienced and committed teachers in every classroom. A substantial pay rise in 2018 would be a fantastic boost to the profession”.
Seamus Searson added “It needs to be remembered that the Government and COSLA ended negotiations back in October but now they must be prepared to negotiate to avoid an escalation of the dispute and the potential for industrial action. The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee is due to meet on Thursday 29 November to consider the result of the ballot. The Committee will receive the latest news on the negotiations before determining the next step in the SSTA Pay Campaign.”.
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Further information from
Seamus Searson
General Secretary
0131 313 7300
The consultative ballot on the 2018 Pay Offer has now closed. A statement on the results of the ballot will be sent to members this afternoon. – 20 November 2018
Emails inviting members to take part in the Consultative Ballot on the 2018 Pay Offer were sent out on Tuesday 30th October . The Consultative Ballot is open until 12pm on Tuesday 20th November 2018.
The Email invitations have been sent to members ‘preferred’ email address. Members who have not received an email should, in the first instance, check the junk/spam folder of their email account(s).
If the email is not there, please contact the SSTA office with their preferred email address by phone on 0131 313 7300 or by email info@ssta.org.uk
The SSTA Council met on 6 October and unanimously rejected the divisive nature of the pay offer. The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee agreed to conduct a Consultative Ballot of members after the October break and will be strongly recommending a rejection of the offer.
The Consultative Ballot will open on Tuesday 30 October and will close on Tuesday 20 November at 12 noon. The Consultative Ballot will be carried out online via the SurveyMonkey website. Invitations will be sent out to members ‘preferred’ email address on the morning of Tuesday 30 October.
Members who have not received emails regarding the Consultative Ballot should update their details with the SSTA as soon as possible at www.ssta.org.uk/updatedetails
