‘Industrial Action Sanctioned’ – Reduction in Class Contact Time
As no progress has been made toward the long-promised reduction in class contact time, the SSTA National Executive has sanctioned a consultative survey of members for industrial action. The reduction of 90 minutes class contact time was promised by the Scottish Government four years ago and COSLA has baulked at every turn to progress the promise. The reduction of class contact time is a small step in addressing teacher workload and the employers have failed to acknowledge the importance of the 90 minutes to teachers. The SSTA together with other teacher unions has reached the end of their patience and now will be asking members to progress the dispute and move towards industrial action.
The ‘Delivering the 90 minutes and protecting secondary teachers’ members survey will ask members their preparedness to take action short of strike action and strike action in resolving the dispute with the employers. The survey will commence the week beginning 16 June and close at the end of August. For the avoidance of doubt this is an informative survey for national executive to gauge members views before moving to a formal official postal ballot for industrial action. Further information to follow.
Members are urged to check their personal details to ensure they receive the link to the survey. Email invitations for the consultative survey will be sent to members ‘preferred’ email address. SSTA recommends using a personal email addresses as their ‘preferred email address’ to avoid employer security controls.
Any member who wishes update their details can do so by completing a form at www.ssta.org.uk/updatedetails or by emailing info@ssta.org.uk with the change or details.
SNCT Pay Claim 2025-2026 ‘No Pay Offer Received – Time is Running Out’
The SNCT Extended Joint Chairs met on 4 June with the Teacher Side(SSTA and EIS) expecting an improved pay offer, after rejecting the initial 3% offer in March. The COSLA Leaders met on 30 May and failed to progress a new offer. Consequently, this has reduced the time to reach an agreement before the end of term (25 June). The COSLA Leaders are due to meet again in the coming weeks and the Teachers’ Side has urged a follow-up meeting to receive a new offer. The Teacher Side said it would be difficult, but it would be prepared to process a suitable offer before the end of term.
Health and Safety Walkaround in Secondary Schools
The SSTA Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee held an online meeting to explain the process of ‘Health and Safety Walkaround in Schools’. The session was led by the Convener Grant McAllister and Iain Glennie Assistant General Secretary who explained the importance of H&S school inspections in a straightforward and interesting way (no jargon). Please follow the link below to see the presentation. If you would like more information about being a SSTA Health and Safety Rep, do contact the SSTA Head Office at info@ssta.org.uk