Category: Information for Members

We wish to advise members following a formal postal ballot, Paul Cochrane (Inverclyde) has been elected as SSTA Vice-President for 2025-2027.  

Paul is a Science teacher, is the SSTA District Secretary for Inverclyde and Convenor of the SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee.
 
Paul said in his election statement

“Only the SSTA delivers the specialist secondary representation that teachers deserve. I have been fortunate to have been trusted to support members’ views as a school representative and on Executive, Council, Finance and Local Area Committees.
 
The greatest honour has been the trust given to me as Salaries and Working Conditions Convenor as we strive to restore pay levels cut by austerity.

Seeking and acting on the views of members has been my priority in all my endeavours. I have also supported and promoted the idea of tapping into the talents of our members to promote our Association.
 
The immediate future must focus on working conditions. Eleven hours free overtime per week is unsustainable and a serious health and safety matter.

If successful, I will continue to represent you to the best of my ability”.
 
We would like to offer our congratulations to Paul and commiserations to Richard Graham (Fife) who was unsuccessful on this occasion.

The Association will, on request, supply any member of the SSTA with a copy of the Independent Scrutineers Report for the election free of charge. Requests for the report should be emailed to info@ssta.org.uk.

To keep up with the latest news follow the SSTA at: –

• SSTA Website – https://ssta.org.uk 
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sstatradeunion
• X  – https://x.com/SSTAtradeunion
• Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/sstatradeunion.bsky.social

Reduction in Teacher Contact Time (90 minutes) – Deadline Approaches and COSLA needs to Act

The Scottish Government committed to a reduction in teacher class contact time from 22.5 hours to 21 hours. This commitment was made in recognition of the workload pressures that Scotland’s teachers faced. The SSTA and other teacher unions will declare a formal trade dispute if no proposal is received by Monday 3 February.
 
Teachers see the 90-minute reduction in class contact time as an important step by the employers in recognising the increasing pressure on teacher workload and an acknowledgement of how teachers are valued by the employers. The Scottish Government is committed to a reduction, but we have no such statement from COSLA (the employers). Local Authorities are finalising council budgets in the coming days and we can only wait and see that funds agreed with the Scottish Government remain in education. The deadline approaches and COSLA needs to act.


‘Reasonable Adjustment’ at work

The term reasonable adjustment comes from the Equality Act 2010, but are also known as workplace adjustments, accommodations or simply as ‘changes.’
 
Employers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees or potential employees who apply for jobs. The purpose of adjustments is to remove or reduce barriers to a disabled employee performing the job well. Reasonable adjustments are specific to an individual person. They can be for physical or mental health conditions. They can cover any area of work. It’s not enough for employers to provide disabled people with exactly the same working conditions as non-disabled people. Failing to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people could be disability discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. (Definition of disability https://www.acas.org.uk/what-disability-means-by-law)

For example:

• finding a different way to do something
• making changes to the workplace

• changing someone’s working arrangements
• providing equipment, services or support

Employers must make reasonable adjustments when:

• they know, or could reasonably be expected to know, someone is disabled
• a disabled staff member or job applicant asks for adjustments
• someone who’s disabled is having difficulty with any part of their job
• someone’s absence record, sickness record or delay in returning to work is because of, or linked to, their disability

See more detailed information here https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments

The SSTA is seeking information from members who have sought ‘reasonable adjustments’ and had changes made or refused. Please help by completing this short survey.

Behaviour Action Plan Webinar – Thursday 6 February, 5.00pm – Online

Poor pupil behaviour is a major driver of stress and increased workload and the SSTA has continued to press the Scottish Government for a unified approach to support teachers in meeting the needs of pupils. The Scottish Government produced a ‘Behaviour Action Plan’ and this event gives an overview of the plan and the way forward.

Please follow the link above to reserve your place.

To keep up with the latest news follow the SSTA at: –

• SSTA Website – https://ssta.org.uk 
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sstatradeunion
• X  – https://x.com/SSTAtradeunion
• Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/sstatradeunion.bsky.social

Reduction in Teacher Contact Time (90 minutes) – Deadline Approaches 

The Scottish Government committed to a reduction in teacher class contact time from 22.5 hours to 21 hours. This commitment was made in recognition of the workload pressures that Scotland’s teachers faced.

Little progress has been made to date and the SSTA and other teacher unions will declare a formal trade dispute if no proposal by Monday 3 February. However, the Scottish Government published a joint agreement with COSLA on 11 December 2024 that stated.
 
“Local Government and Scottish Government are committed to working together to restore teacher numbers to 2023 levels next year, and freeze learning hours which will support the learning experience for pupils across Scotland. Both Local Government and the Scottish Government have also agreed to make meaningful progress towards reducing class contact time for teachers, in recognition of the asks made by teachers and teaching unions. Medium- and long-term joint workforce planning will take into account the importance of responding to issues including different local needs”.

See the full statement – https://www.gov.scot/publications/education-agreement-with-cosla/


SSTA Vice-President Election – Make Sure To Return Your Ballot Paper

The SSTA Vice-President Election is a postal ballot of members and is taking place during January 2025. Ballot papers were distributed to members home address on Thursday 9 January 2025, by the scrutineers for the election, UK Engage. The closing date for the election is Thursday 30 January 2025. Members will be informed of the results of the election as soon as practicably possible after the closing of the election.

 
 
Guide to Mental Health Support   – Wednesday 5 February, 5.00pm – Online

Members and colleagues are experiencing Mental Health issues that are either chronic or acute in nature. This session aims to signpost where to find support as an individual and explain what the experiences of a Mental Health First Aider. Completed with a presentation on safeguarding and trauma informed approaches to support staff in education setting.

 
Behaviour Action Plan – Thursday 6 February, 5.00pm – Online

Poor pupil behaviour is a major driver of stress and increased workload and the SSTA has continued to press the Scottish Government for a unified approach to support teachers in meeting the needs of pupils. The Scottish Government produced a ‘Behaviour Action Plan’ and this event gives an overview of the plan and the way forward.

 
Please follow the links above to reserve your place.
 
To keep up with the latest news follow the SSTA at: –

• SSTA Website – https://ssta.org.uk 
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sstatradeunion
• X  – https://x.com/SSTAtradeunion
• Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/sstatradeunion.bsky.social

The SSTA December 2024 Newsletter is now available for members to download.

The newsletter contains articles on: 

• SSTA National Elections 2025
• Teachers’ Pension Scheme – useful guide
• Salary Scales – 1 August 2024
• Class Contact Time Reduction
• Relationships & Action Behaviour Action Plan
• Named Person Advice Note
• 35 Hour Working Week – FAQ
• Guide to Menal Health Support Webinar
• 2025 Subscription Fees
• Benefits of Union Recognition

Retirement of Fiona Dalziel 

Briefing for Members in Management Positions

The SSTA has arranged an online briefing of members who are in Principal Teacher Posts ( Curriculum Leaders, Heads of Faculty, etc..) on Wednesday 13 November at 5.00pm. The briefing will include an update on the Education Bill and Hayward Review and future developments. There will be a focus on managing staff and workload and there will also be an opportunity for members to raise issues of concern. Further details will follow. To reserve a place, please complete the registration form on the SSTA website.

Briefing for DHT and Headteacher Members – Rearranged Date

The original briefing needed to be rearranged due to matters beyond our control and a new date has been arranged for an online briefing of DHTs and Headteachers on Wednesday 27 November at 6.00pm. The briefing will include an update on the Education Bill and Hayward Review and future developments. There will also be an opportunity for members to raise issues of concern. Further details will follow. To reserve a place, please complete the registration form on the SSTA website. Members signed for the original date have been registered.

SSTA Vacancy – National Casework Officer  

The SSTA is seeking to appoint a National Casework Officer in January 2025. The post is a full-time salaried position at PT4 on the SNCT salary scale, currently £62,022 per annum. For further information and the application form, please see the advert on the SSTA website.

NATIONAL CASEWORK OFFICER

We are looking for a full-time National Casework Officer who can communicate effectively, interact well with other people and who can work as part of a team. The successful candidate will also have familiarity with the operation and ethos of a trade union, SNCT Conditions of Service and should have a sound knowledge of the Scottish education system. .

The post is based in Edinburgh and attracts a current salary of £62,022 per annum. A defined contribution pension scheme is also available to employees.

Travel and work throughout Scotland is an essential part of the post and thus a valid driving licence and your own transport are essential.

The principal duties involved are:

• Providing advice, support and representation to SSTA members
• Participation in the organisation of training events for lay officials and committees
• Attending meetings of members at District and School level

Further information is available from the General Secretary.

Application forms can be obtained by completing the form below.

The closing date for applications is Friday 1 November 2024 at 12noon

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Applications for the post have now closed.

The SNCT Teachers’ Side met this morning and unanimously accepted the pay offer of 4.27% for all SNCT grades from 1 August 2024. This position was stated at a meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs (SSTA, EIS, the employers, and Scottish Government) that followed.  The teacher side expected that the payment would be made as soon a s possible as the payment date had passed. The SNCT pay circular is to be finalised with the teacher side ensuring that it is recorded as a ‘restorative’ pay deal and continue to be the case in future pay awards. (provisional pay scales)

Paul Cochrane SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Convenor said.

“The SSTA members have reluctantly understood that this is the best deal that could be achieved in the current financial circumstances. The SSTA has urged the employers to move quickly to ensure that payment is received by teachers without delay. Many teachers were disadvantaged because of delayed payments in 2023 and an early payment this year would be taken as a sign of goodwill.”

 
The SNCT Teachers’ Side issued a joint statement, the text of which can be found below. 

SNCT Teachers’ Side Joint Statement
The Teachers’ Panel of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) has today agreed to accept the pay offer of 4.27% from COSLA. This decision was taken following the constituent unions on the panel consulting with their respective memberships.

In accepting this offer, the Teachers’ Panel welcomes its undifferentiated nature and the stated recognition of the Employers’ Side of the SNCT that the offer marks the first step towards the restoration of teacher salaries in Scotland. The Teachers’ Panel looks forward to working with Employers and the Scottish Government on the creation of a ‘roadmap’ to restoration in the value of teachers’ pay to pre-austerity levels, across all career stages and salary levels. 

The Teachers’ Panel remains committed to achieving meaningful progress towards solutions to the other challenges facing Scottish teachers. Not least of these is urgently reducing unsustainable levels of workload, which can begin to be addressed through the realisation of the Scottish Government’s manifesto commitment to decrease class contact time to 21 hours per week. The Teachers’ Panel is clear that there needs to be swift movement on this reduction and that the resulting hour and a half a week must be afforded to teachers for planning and preparation of learning, which at present, is being undertaken in large part in teachers’ own time, unpaid.

The SSTA welcome over seventy delegates and guests to The Stirling Court Hotel as it celebrates fifty years of the Health and Safety at Work Act. Keynote speeches include Risk Assessment and Supporting Mental Health of Colleagues.
 
Grant McAllister SSTA Health and Safety Convenor said.
 
“When the Health and Safety at Work Act was introduced, its purpose was to prevent physical harm, illness, and injury. Trade unions supported members to make sure employers protected their workers for dangerous practices and procedures for their physical health”.
 
“In the past few years, most work absence has been due to mental health issues across all sectors of employment. Trade unions now must support members to ensure employers protect them from work related stress, anxiety, and depression. That practices and procedures do not make workers unwell”.
 
“We are pleased to welcome Donna Paterson-Harvie of the Neil’s Hugs Foundation to speak to our Association’s volunteers as they support their colleagues in the workplace. Donna is a winner of the British Citizen’s Award in Health’s medal of honour”.
 
“We are also delighted to welcome Chris Lloyd of Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC) to provide his expertise on Risk Assessment in a school setting”.
 
“The SSTA is committed to the principle that No one’s work should make them unwell.”

The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee reluctantly agreed to recommend acceptance of the 4.27% offer to members as the Committee felt this was the best deal that could be achieved at this time. The ballot returned with 91% of SSTA members voting to accept the pay offer for 2024-2025.
 
Paul Cochrane SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Convenor said.
 
“The SSTA members have supported the Committee’s recommendation and voted overwhelmingly to accept the pay offer. The Committee will inform the SNCT Teachers’ Side of the outcome of the ballot and should other teacher unions agree we will be expecting the increase to be in teacher salaries as soon as possible”.
 
The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee will be considering other findings of the consultative ballot including the drivers of teacher workload. A full report will be issued in the coming weeks.

Email invitations to take part in the Consultative Ballot on the 2 September pay offer have been sent out to members who are employed by a Local Authority at 1.15pm this afternoon.   The Consultative Ballot will close at 12.00pm on Tuesday 10 September 2024. If you have already responded to the consultative ballot, thank you for taking the time to do so.
 
The SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee reluctantly agreed to recommend acceptance of the 4.27% offer to members. The Committee decided to consult members on the latest employers’ pay offer.
 
Although there were reservations expressed at the meeting, the Committee felt this was the best deal that can be achieved at this time. All members employed by a local authority are invited to participate in the electronic consultative ballot.
 
The employers (COSLA) issued a pay offer on Monday 2 September will give an increase of 4.27% on all SNCT pay grades on 1 August 2024. Please see provisional SNCT pay scale. 
 
If you have not received the email invitation for the ballot, please check the spam/junk folders as sometime the email can be diverted there. 

If the email has been delivered to the junk/spam folder, you may have to mark the email as ‘not spam’ for the link to the ballot to work.  You can see how to do this using the relevant link for your email provider.

• Gmail – Remove an email from Spam
• Yahoo – Mark emails as Not Spam
• iCloud – Indicate that an email is not junk
• Hotmail/Outlook.com – mark an email message as Not junk