Category: Conditions of Service

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.

22/10/2018

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

05/10/2018
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

04/10/2018
Teacher Pay Talks Stall – 4 October 2018

Negotiations around the Teachers’ Pay Claim have shuddered to a halt after the Scottish Government and COSLA today refused to consider improvements to their previous offer. The Teachers’ Panel of the SNCT (Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers) had unanimously rejected the offer as being “derisory” in terms of the 10% claim and “divisive” in that it offered unpromoted teachers a slightly better deal than promoted members of the profession.

The constituent bodies of the teachers’ side will now consider the outcome of today’s talks, with member ballots being likely.

A spokesperson for the Teachers’ Side said, “We are extremely disappointed that both the Scottish Government and COSLA have rejected the proposals put them by the Teachers’ Side, which would have kept negotiations going, and have opted instead to end discussions. In a week when the Scottish Government found the money to pay upfront a 6.5% pay offer to Scottish Police officers, it now claims to be unable to find any additional money for teachers.”

04/10/2018
Teachers’ Pay 2018 – Update – 6 September 2018

The latest meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs (EIS, SSTA, COSLA and Scottish Government) took place on 6 September and a revised pay offer was received from COSLA.

This offer is for 3% across all SNCT posts (as opposed to the previous pay offer of 2% for those above £36,500 and 3% for those below). This would apply to all teachers except for those earning £80,000 or above, whose increase would be limited to £1600. This offer would be backdated to April 2018 and is a single year offer. 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 (aimed, it was claimed, at addressing recruitment and retention issues).

The teachers’ side of the SNCT will consider the offer in more detail but the SSTA and EIS has already indicated its view that 3% falls well short of the 10% claim and is unlikely to be acceptable to members. It was also made clear that the SNCT 10% claim is for all members at all grades.

When a pay offer is made we will need to consult the membership on their views and the possibility of a formal ballot for industrial action. It is therefore, essential that member’s details are updated and accurate. Members can update their details by completing a form on the SSTA website at www.ssta.org.uk/updatedetails.

The SSTA will continue to negotiate in good faith with both COSLA and Scottish Government. A further negotiating meeting of the Extended Joint Chairs is scheduled for the 18th September, where the Teachers’ Side will respond formally to the offer. Further updates to follow.

10/09/2018
Teachers’ Pay 2018 – Update

Teachers’ Pay 2018 – Update – 20 April 2018

The latest meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs (EIS, SSTA, COSLA and Scottish Government) took place on Thursday 19 April. The teachers’ side were disappointed that the Scottish Government,at this stage, were not prepared to offer any additional funding after having said at the last meeting that it wished time to consider its position. At the last meeting on 27 March, COSLA (the employers) made a pay offer of 2% for those above £36,500 and 3% for those below.

The teachers’ side was not impressed with the lack of progress in making an important investment in education by attempting to resolve the teacher retention and recruitment crisis. Education is the Government’s priority and a resolution to 2018 pay award is essential to allow teachers to focus on teaching and learning.

A further meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday 16 May, but your negotiators left both the Scottish Government and COSLA in no doubt that they are not prepared to accept procrastination as a tactic from the management side and that the clock was very definitely ticking.

26/04/2018
2018 Pay Claim – Retention, Recruitment and Restoration
Update on 2018 Pay Claim for Teachers

The SSTA conducted a pay survey of members in December and published the findings on 23 January 2018

The members survey highlighted the need for a substantial pay increase, the excessive workload placed upon teachers, the high number of members who had considered or are considering leaving the profession and the readiness of members to take industrial action. The survey confirmed the position of SSTA and the ‘pushing at every door’ for a substantial pay increase for teachers with ‘retention’ the priority.

The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee met on 2 February 2018 to consider the information contained within the survey and submitted the following to the teachers’ side of Scottish Negotiating Committee Teachers (SNCT):
- First priority Retention
- Second priority Recruitment of teachers
- The restoration of teachers’ pay (20%+)
- A common % increase for all teachers at all grades
- Parity for unpromoted teachers with FE lecturers of £40,000+
- A major reduction in teacher workload
The teacher unions discussed their positions and agreed an SNCT Pay Claim at a meeting on 5 February 2018.

The claim was submitted to the management side (COSLA and Government) at a full SNCT meeting on Thursday 8 February 2018. The management side received the claim and teachers’ side are awaiting a response from COSLA/Government in early March.

The SSTA is working through the SNCT in progressing the 2018 pay claim and following the outcome of the negotiations the SSTA will be seeking the views of its members and the action they are prepared to take.

The SSTA will continue to lobby all sides to achieve a successful outcome and will continue to keep members informed of developments.
20/02/2018
SSTA Prepares for Industrial Action on Teachers’ Pay in 2018

The SSTA conducted a survey of members on the 2017 pay increase for teachers and their readiness to take action in pursuit of an acceptable pay deal in 2018.

Seamus Searson, SSTA General Secretary said, “At this early stage 96% of SSTA members are prepared to take industrial action for an above inflation pay award in 2018. 64% were prepared to take strike action with a further 32% were prepared to take action short of strike action”

“The survey showed 90% of teachers believed the current pay increase would not encourage teachers to remain in the profession.”

“The SSTA member survey highlighted the lack of recognition and the unhappiness of the teaching profession. Although pay is critical in retaining teachers the ‘never ending’ workload is pushing many teachers away from the profession”.

Seamus Searson added “It is very worrying in a time of teacher shortage that 68% of teachers have considered or are considering leaving the profession. The Government must see its priority to retain the experienced teachers we have now. This will only be achieved with a substantial pay rise in 2018 and a radical change to cut teacher workload.

“The Government must be prepared to ask if it can afford to lose more of its experienced teachers if it wishes to maintain education standards”. The survey found that

• 77% of teachers are not content with the 2017 Pay increase
• 95% of teachers believe the 2017 pay increase will not attract more people into teaching
• 89% of teachers believe the 2017 pay increase will not encourage teachers toremain in teaching
• 68% of teachers are considering or have considered a career outside ofteaching
• 50% of teachers are expecting a substantial pay offer in 2018
• 54% of teachers are not expecting changes/reductions in workload in 2018
• 49% of teachers were prepared to take strike action on the 2017 pay increase
• 64% are prepared to take strike action with a further 32% prepared to take action short of strike action should the 2018 pay increase be below the rate of inflation.

Comments from members highlight the situation

“The demands and unrealistic expectations of teachers are no longer worth the mediocre pay. I’ll be leaving the profession as soon as I can find a suitable job”.

“I am now poorer than when I started the job in 2007”.

“The proposed pay increase does not reflect the demands of the teaching profession. The proposal is insulting in terms of workload, constant development work and does not show the importance of the teacher and their contribution to society”.

Kevin Campbell, SSTA President added “SSTA members care passionately about the young people they teach and have committed huge effort to give them every opportunity. This commitment needs to be recognised in terms of pay. Unfortunately, teachers’ pay has been allowed to fall to the point that many classroom teachers are unable to “make ends meet” and really struggle to reach pay day each month”

Editor’s note
The SSTA member survey took place over two weeks in December with 1359 responses. The SSTA is preparing its submission for the April 2018 pay claim for discussion at the SNCT teachers’ side meeting on 5 February.

Further information from

Seamus Searson
General Secretary

0131 313 7300

23/01/2018
New Salary Scales

The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers has reached a pay agreement for teachers and associated professionals for 2017- 2018.

A 1% uplift in pay from 1 April 2017 to 31 December 2017 will apply to all teachers and associated professionals who are governed by the SNCT bargaining arrangements. A further uplift of 1% will be added from 1 January 2018. Full details are set out in the revised Appendix 2.1 of the SNCT Handbook.

Salary Scales Poster – 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018

Previous Salary Scales

11/01/2018
Pay Agreement 2017/18
The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers has reached a pay agreement for teachers and associated professionals for 2017- 2018.

Agreement has been reached on:

Pay
- A 1% uplift in pay from 1 April 2017 to 31 December 2017 will apply to all teachers and associated professionals who are governed by the SNCT bargaining arrangements. A further uplift of 1% will be added from 1 January 2018. Full details are set out in the revised Appendix 2.1 of the SNCT Handbook.
Short-Term Supply Teachers
- Arising from the above agreement, the rate of pay for short-term supply teachers is restored to the individual’s appropriate point on the main grade scale, with effect from 1 January 2018.
- Therefore, all supply teachers will be paid the appropriate point on the main grade scale, regardless of the duration of the cover.
- Short-term supply teachers will be paid for actual class contact time plus 10% for duties carried out in the school such as correcting work as part of ongoing classwork, maintaining a record of work, and contributing towards good order in the school, as agreed with the Headteacher.
Full details of the agreement can be found in SNCT Circular 17/61 -SNCT Pay Agreement 2017/18
19/12/2017