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2018 Pay Update – 9 January 2019

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

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.

Conditions of Service / Information for Members - 12/21/2018

2018 Pay Update – 17 December 2018

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

Conditions of Service / Information for Members - 12/18/2018

2018 Pay Update - 23 November 2018

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

Conditions of Service / Information for Members - 11/23/2018

Pupil and Teacher Workload Out of Control

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)

81% of Biology teachers saw no reduction in workload (58% increase and 23% no reduction).
79% Design and Manufacture teachers saw no reduction in workload (42% increase and 37% no reduction)
77% of Chemistry teachers saw no reduction in workload (36% increase and 41% no reduction)
77% of Art and Design teachers saw no reduction in workload (41% increase and 36% no reduction)
63% of History teachers saw no reduction in workload (24% increase and 39% no reduction)

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)

97% of Computing teachers saw no reduction in workload (74% increase and 23% no reduction)
95% of Physics teachers saw no reduction in workload (51% increase and 44% no reduction)
93% of History teachers saw no reduction in workload (77% increase 16% no reduction)
88% of Business Management teachers saw no reduction in workload (62% increase and 26% no reduction)
88% of Art and Design teachers saw no reduction in workload (78% increase and 10% no reduction)

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)

92% Biology teachers saw no reduction in workload (80% increase and 12% no reduction)
88% of Chemistry teachers saw no reduction in workload (61% increase and 27% no reduction)
87% Administration and IT teachers saw no reduction in workload (53% increase and 34% no reduction)
83% of Computing teachers saw no reduction in workload (70% increase and 13% 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)

91% of Computing teachers saw no reduction in workload (65% increase and 26% no reduction)
89% of Graphics teachers saw no reduction in workload (59% increase and 30% no reduction)
88% RMPS teachers saw no reduction in workload (75% increase and 13% no reduction)
87% of Biology teachers saw no reduction in workload (68% increase and 21% no reduction)
81% of History teachers saw no reduction in workload (67% increase and 14% 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)

97% of Administration and IT teachers saw no reduction in workload (78% increase and 19% no reduction)
86% of French teachers saw no reduction in workload (73% increase and 13% no reduction)
82% of Computing teachers saw no reduction in workload (67% increase and 15% no reduction)
69% of Biology teachers saw no reduction in workload (57% increase and 12% no reduction)

Impact on pupils

Pupil Workload – members have seen a 57% increase in pupil workload

History 84%, Modern Studies 81%, Woodwork 81%, Music 79%, Design and Manufacture 79%, Computing 74%

Pupil Stress – members have seen a 67% increase in pupil stress

History 95%, Woodwork 90%, Modern Languages 89%, RMPS 87%, Modern Studies 84%, French 82%, Computing 81%, Art and Design 77%, Administration and IT 76%, Maths 63%,

Qualification Success – members are expecting a 28% decrease in qualification success

Practical Woodwork 71%, Design and Manufacture 50%, History 47%, Computing 44%, Maths 35%,

[ends]

Survey Findings are in the attached PDF. “SSTA Survey - Nat 5 Changes”

Conditions of Service / Information for Members / Press Releases - 11/21/2018

SSTA Consultative Ballot - The Members have Spoken

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.”.

[ENDS]

Further information from
Seamus Searson
General Secretary
0131 313 7300

Conditions of Service / Information for Members / Press Releases - 11/20/2018

Consultative Ballot on Pay Offer

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 30^th October . The Consultative Ballot is open until 12pm on Tuesday 20^th 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

The SNCT 2018 Pay Claim is a 10% restorative claim for all SNCT Grades

The Damage to Teachers’ Pay and Prospects

Conditions of Service / Information for Members - 10/24/2018

National March and Rally - Glasgow, 27th October 2018

A National March and Rally will take place on Saturday 27th October in Glasgow. The SSTA has been working closely with the EIS throughout the pay negotiations and has received an invitation for SSTA to support the pay demonstration in Glasgow. The SSTA National Executive wishes to encourage members to support the rally that meets in Kelvingrove Park, on Saturday 27 October at 11.00am.

Details

Assemble: 11.00am Kelvingrove Park Glasgow, March: 11.30am, Rally: George Square

SSTA Members will be meeting next to the skate park where a limited number of SSTA banners and placards will be available for members.

All members are encouraged to make their own banners and placards and to bring these along with them to the Demonstration

There are also poster available for members to download and print themselves should they wish too. The posters can be found here

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If you are intending on going to the rally it would be helpful if you could complete the form below. It will give us an indication of how many members will be at the rally.

No Fields Found.

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Public Transport Routes

Arrival Station	Subway Route	Bus Routes
Queen Street Station	Subway from Buchanan St. Station to Kelvinhall. Exit on to Dumbarton Rd and turn left. Walk along Dumbarton Rd, past Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, to Kelvin Way (10-15 min walk). Turn left along Kelvin Way and proceed to assembly point.	#77 First Glasgow bus from Bath St. Alight on Sauchiehall St opposite Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls & Tennis Centre. Proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point. #3 First Glasgow bus from Hope St. Alight as above. #2 First Glasgow bus from Hope St. Alight on Argyle St at the stop after Gray St. Turn right down Radnor St and proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point.
Central Station	Subway from St. Enoch Station to Kelvinhall. Exit on to Dumbarton Rd and turn left. Walk along Dumbarton Rd, past Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, to Kelvin Way (10-15 min walk). Turn left along Kelvin Way and proceed to assembly point.	#3 First Glasgow bus from Hope St. Alight on Sauchiehall St opposite Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls & Tennis Centre. Proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point. #2 First Glasgow bus from Hope St. Alight on Argyle St at the stop after Gray St. Turn right down Radnor St and proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point. #4 / 4A First Glasgow bus from Hope St. Alight at the bottom Of University Avenue, at the Gilmorehill Centre. Proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point.
Buchanan Bus Station	Subway from Buchanan St. Station to Kelvinhall. Exit on to Dumbarton Rd and turn left. Walk along Dumbarton Rd, past Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, to Kelvin Way (10-15 min walk). Turn left along Kelvin Way and proceed to assembly point.	#77 First Glasgow bus from Buchanan St Bus Station (usually Stance 44). Alight on Sauchiehall St opposite Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls & Tennis Centre. Proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point. #17 McGill’s bus from Pavilion Theatre. Alight as above.
Partick Station (low level trains from East or West)	Subway from Partick Station to Kelvinhall. Exit on to Dumbarton Rd and turn left. Walk along Dumbarton Rd, past Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, to Kelvin Way (10-15 min walk). Turn left along Kelvin Way and proceed to assembly point.	#3 or #77 First Glasgow buses from Dumbarton Rd. Alight on Sauchiehall St at Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls & Tennis Centre. Proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point. #17 McGill’s bus from Dumbarton Rd. Alight on Sauchiehall St opposite Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls & Tennis Centre. Proceed along Kelvin Way to assembly point. #2 First Glasgow bus from Dumbarton Rd. Alight on Argyle St after Radnor St. Proceed along Radnor St into Kelvin Way and continue to assembly point.

Conditions of Service / Information for Members - 10/22/2018

Teachers’ Pay 2018 – Update – 5 October 2018

Pay Talks Terminated

The SNCT Teachers’ Side rejected the pay offer made by the employers (COSLA) on the 18 September. At the meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs (EIS, SSTA, COSLA and Scottish Government) the Government officials asked if there was the possibility of further negotiations. A range of issues were raised by the union side and another meeting was arranged for 4 October 2018.

At the meeting on 4 October Government Officials stated that the offer was a ‘fair and generous’ pay offer and there was to be no further offer or any grounds for further negotiation. COSLA confirmed that it was not prepared to find additional funds to help further negotiations. It was quite clear that two/thirds of those at the negotiation table had no intention of further negotiation to address the restoration of teacher pay levels.

The union side was extremely disappointed (to put it mildly) with this development especially as the offer had been formally rejected on 18 September. The unions had regarded the offer as being “derisory” in terms of the 3% offer across the board and “divisive” in relation to proposing changes to the main-grade scale whilst leaving promoted scales untouched. This was compounded by the fact that additional money (above the offer to teachers) had been found by the Government for funding both the Police and National Health Service professionals. Together with COSLA finding an additional £10m, from its own resources, to assist their pay offer to other Local Authority Staff only added insult to the disappointment.

The Pay Offer

The offer was for 3% across all SNCT posts except for those earning £80,000 or above, whose increase would be limited to £1,600 from April 2018. In addition to the 3% pay increase COSLA also supported a Scottish Government proposal to amend the Main Grade Salary Scale by reducing the number of points from 6 to 5 with a higher starting and finishing point. The amendments to the unpromoted teachers’ pay scale would have seen most points on the scale receiving an additional 2% as from August 2018 (a retention measure). In addition, those teachers who would be moving from Point 0 to Point 1 would receive approximately a 10% pay increase (a recruitment measure for approximately 3,000 teachers).

It was reaffirmed to COSLA and Government officials that the 3% offer doesn’t come close to matching the ambition of the SNCT 10% claim for all members at all grades. The Teachers’ side were clear, also, that changes to only the main grade scale would be divisive. This is effectively a differentiated offer pay and this was not acceptable.

As the final pay offer has been made SSTA will consult the membership on its views on the offer. The SSTA Salaries Committee has already unanimously rejected the offer, but will be considering the response from the Government and determine the terms of the consultative ballot of its members. The consultative ballot will be conducted when all schools have returned following the October break (more details to follow).

Next Steps

SSTA will be circulating more detailed information on the pay offer and the implications to ensure members are fully informed before the consultative ballot.

SSTA School Representatives are encouraged to hold school meetings and discuss the pay offer.

It is therefore essential that members details are updated and accurate to respond to the pay offer and the possibility of a formal ballot for industrial action. Members can update their details by completing a form on the SSTA website at www.ssta.org.uk/updatedetails.

The SSTA has been working closely with the EIS throughout the pay negotiations and has received an invitation for SSTA to support the pay demonstration in Glasgow. The SSTA National Executive wishes to encourage members to support the rally that meets in Kelvingrove Park, on Saturday 27 October at 11.00am (more details to follow).

Remember the SSTA Campaign is Retention, Recruitment and Restoration

Conditions of Service / Information for Members - 10/05/2018

Schools Closer to Industrial Action

Teacher pay talks broke down earlier, today, after Scottish Government and COSLA refused to consider improvements to their previous offer, already rejected by the SNCT as “derisory” and “divisive” at its meeting on 18 September.

Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said that “the prospect of industrial action had moved significantly closer as a result of the Scottish Governments decision to abandon the talks rather than seeking to negotiate a solution. The SSTA had believed the Government when it said it recognises and values the commitment and hard work of its teachers. The SSTA had also expected the Government to recognise the damage the austerity measures had made to the teaching profession and support and reward its teachers appropriately”.

“The SSTA and other unions, had offered constructive proposals for Government and COSLA to consider but in rejecting them out of hand, Ministers have effectively dismissed the concerns of Scottish teachers. It is shameful that Scottish Ministers have walked away from the negotiating table in this manner. The prospect of industrial unrest in Scotland’s schools in the coming months has moved a significant step closer as a result of the Government’s abandonment of talks. Teachers will be disappointed and angry by this latest development.”

The SSTA Salaries Committee has already unanimously rejected the offer, but will consider the insulting response from the Government and determine the terms of the consultative ballot of its members.

[ends]

Further information from
Seamus Searson
General Secretary

0131 313 7300

4 October 2018

Conditions of Service / Press Releases - 10/04/2018