Members of the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association have decisively rejected the revised package of cuts in teachers' salaries and conditions proposed by the employers' organisation, COSLA.   In an indicative ballot the members voted: - 93.6% to reject the offer 6.4% to accept 48.7% turnout During a period of exam preparation and school holidays a 49% turnout in a second ballot is remarkable. Our thanks and congratulations to every member who voted.

At the meeting of the Teachers' side of the SNCT held at 3pm today SSTA representatives formally dissented from the decision made to accept the Cosla proposal.   Full wording of the statement made at the meeting can be read below. The SSTA representatives request that their formal dissent to the Agreement be recorded.     In particular, but without prejudice to their other objections, they further request that it be noted for the record that the arrangements proposed for…

At the meeting of the Teachers' side of the SNCT held at 3pm today SSTA representatives formally dissented from the decision made to accept the Cosla proposals. The SSTA does not accept the proposals and reserves the right to legally challenge any detriment to the pay or conditions of members. Further advice and information will be circulated to members during the next 10 days. Yours sincerely Ann Ballinger General Secretary

Early results from the consultative ballot on the revised proposals from COSLA are a clear and emphatic rejection of the proposed detriment to the conditions of service of all teachers. More than 90% of SSTA members voting have rejected the revised proposal, mirroring the results of the ballot on the previous proposal. The Teachers' side of the SNCT meets today, Thursday 28 April, when a formal decision will be made.   You will be informed of this decision immediately after…

Colleagues The consultative ballot on the revised proposals from COSLA will close one week from now.   The seriousness with which our response is listened to depends as much on the number of votes cast as it does on the results.   A return of 50 or 60% will be dismissed as indicating the agreement of 40 or 50% of members.   Please take a few minutes to vote either by post or online.   The future of our profession…

Dear Colleagues I am grateful to members who have forwarded comments made by other unions concerning the purpose of this ballot.   If anyone is confused I hope the following is helpful. Consultative ballots are used by this Association to: seek members' views on important issues inform the relevant committee make a policy decision based on the response received from members. The overwhelming view of our members (being a democratic body) will guide OUR policy. Changes in Conditions of Service…

Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee met today, Monday 28 March 2011, and agreed unanimously to ballot members on the new COSLA proposals and recommend rejection.   The committee believes this proposal constitutes an attack on some of the most vulnerable members of our profession, further reducing their earning capacity.     Other elements of the   proposal constitute an attack on specific members of our profession many of whom accepted earlier changes in good faith, believing the assurances of…

Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) Proposed Changes to Pay and Conditions 2011 1. The three parties to the SNCT (the Scottish Government, COSLA and the Teachers Side) referred to below as the ‘three parties’ agree to abide by the conditions set out in Appendix 1 attached. 2. The three parties affirm their commitment to the independently chaired review of all aspects of the McCrone Agreement chaired by Professor McCormac. 3. The three parties agree that following the outcome of…

SSTA representatives at the SNCT meeting on Wednesday 23 March did not accept the new proposal, making it clear that in this Association members make policy decisions. A vote on the revised proposal was taken at the Teachers' Side pre-meeting and 6 of the 19 members did not vote in favour of accepting the proposal.   A ballot will be held to enable members to state their views and influence our stance.   Further details below... Dear Colleagues At the…

Dear Colleagues The results of the recent consultative ballot are listed at the end of the message. These results will be formally intimated to COSLA and The Scottish Government at the next meeting of the SNCT. This will take place at 2pm on Wednesday 23 March 2011. Any Information from the outcome of the meeting will be posted on the website by Thursday 24 March 2011. Information will also be emailed to members as soon as possible after the close…