Industrial Action on the Horizon – Reduction in Class Contact Time
The SSTA welcomes the Scottish Government’s proposal to establish a work plan for the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) Reduction in Class Contact Time (RCCT) subgroup. This subgroup has been tasked with urgently developing a clear route map for the implementation of RCCT.
However, the SNCT Teachers’ Side has reminded both Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and the Scottish Government that the dispute over RCCT remains unresolved and that there must be meaningful engagement on how RCCT will be delivered.
A series of meetings have been held to develop a delivery plan, but progress has been slow raising the risk of ballots for industrial action. While RCCT alone will not fully resolve the issue of excessive teacher workload, it represents an essential first step toward meaningful workload reduction.
The SSTA’s Delivering the 90 Minutes and Protecting Secondary Teachers consultative survey highlighted the strength of members’ views on this issue. An overwhelming 92% of respondents indicated their willingness to participate in “action short of strike action,” and 72% expressed their readiness to take strike action to resolve the ongoing dispute with employers.
The SSTA continues to engage actively with the RCCT working group, but time is running short. If there is no significant progress in the coming weeks, the SSTA Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee will prepare a report to the National Executive seeking approval to move to a formal ballot for industrial action.
SSTA President Monique Dreon-Goold said:
“The SSTA has been extremely patient in waiting for progress on reducing class contact time, but that patience is wearing very thin. We must see tangible action soon, or we will have no choice but to move to industrial action to press COSLA and the Scottish Government to deliver on their promise to help reduce excessive teacher workload.”
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee Planning Survey
Following May’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee webinar on the Health and Safety walk round, the committee would welcome your views on what we should present next. Our suggestions are.
- fire evacuation policy
- mental health
- establishing and the work of an H+S committee
- creating and reviewing subject specific risk assessments
- what should be included in a school risk assessment
- heating and ventilation
- keeping safe online
- the rights of a health and safety representative
- Other (please indicate)
You can let us know your preferences by completing a short survey. We are hoping to have our first webinar in November and will try to complete at least one a term.
Recruit a Member
The start of the new term brings fresh faces to our staffrooms. Please take a moment to welcome new colleagues and encourage them to join the SSTA. One new member in every school makes a real difference. There are several great offers for new members—just direct them to the SSTA website, where joining is quick and easy. www.ssta.org.uk/join
SSTA Membership Offers
- ALL NQTS – Free Until January 2027
- ALL New Members – 50% off subscription fees for the first 12 months
- ALL Part-time members – Pay a reduced subscription of 50% off the full-time subscription (unique to SSTA)