Margaret Smith's Presidential Address - Congress 2013

It seems almost inconceivable that two years have passed since Peter Wright called me ‘Muggins’ and pinned the President’s badge on me – -and what a two years they have been Following my last Congress address I was described in the editorial of a national newspaper as, ‘selfish and irresponsible,’ ‘living on the moon,’ and an example of ‘why members were deserting trade unions.’ I must have got something right.

Working Time Agreements 2013/14

Members are reminded that the season of Working Time Agreements is here. Given the increasing workload implications of National 4 and 5, it would be advisable to review the allocation of time in the school agreement devoted to curriculum development and Formal Assessment.

Increase in Employee Pension Contributions

As from April 1st 2013 the following increases to employee pension contributions will apply. Full Time Equivalentpensionable pay Contribution rate 2012/13 Contribution rate 2013/14 Contribution rateincrease against 2012/13 Up to £14,999 6.4% 6.4% 0% £15,000 to £25,999 7.0% 7.0% 0% £26,000 to £31,999 7.3% 7.9% 0.6% £32,000 to £39,999 7.6% 8.8% 1.2% £40,000 to £44,999 8.0% 9.2% 1.2% £45,000 to £74,999 8.0% 10.1% 2.1% £75,000 to £99,999 8.4% 10.6% 2.2% £100,000 and above 8.4-8.8% 11.2% 2.4-2.8% Annual Pay Negotiations There…

National Qualification's Survey

The Association is conducting a survey of members to find out how prepared they are for the delivery of the new courses next session. The survey should take no longer than a couple of minutes to complete.

SSTA Expresses Disgust

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association today expressed disgust at in the middle of continuing attempts to produce a Scottish solution to the Public Sector Pension fiasco the Scottish Parliament's Education and Culture Committee has failed to protect Scottish teachers by not opposing further increases in pension contributions.

Scotland's Teaching Unions United in Condemnation of Pensions Hike

Scotland's two largest teaching unions, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) have today been united in their condemnation of an increase in the pensions contributions paid by Scotland's teachers. The Scottish Government has announced, today, an increase to the contribution rate for the Scottish teachers' pension scheme. The increase, which follows on from a similar increase in 2011, will impose a further 1.2% in pension deductions from teachers' pay, taking the contribution rate…

Working Time Agreements

Following a number of enquiries regarding Working Time Agreement the Association has produced an advice sheet for School Reps which is available to download. Should you have any questions regarding your school Working Time Agreement please contact headquarters by emailing info@ssta.org.uk or calling 0131 313 7300.

Results of Survey on Newsletter

There were 500 responses. The highlights of the survey are as follows Nearly 90% supported the electronic format being used. The great majority of respondents were happy with the smaller printed format (80%). 75% of respondents rated the articles in the newsletter as being interesting and relevant and 69% believed that 2 newsletters per session were sufficient. The full survey results are available for any member. Please contact the Acting General Secretary.

Indiscipline Complacency

Today the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association condemned the continuing complacency of Scottish Government towards the problem of indiscipline in Scottish schools. The Association called for a re-calibration of the extent of the problem and the resumption of the co-ordinated and government directed action that followed the publication of Better Behaviour Better Learning in 2001.