Update on Proposed changes to conditions of service

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…

Consultative Ballot regarding Proposed Changes to Conditions of Services

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…

Secondary Teachers' Union Rejects Employers Proposals and Backs Strike Ballot

The Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association today unanimously rejected the proposals from the employers’ organisation, COSLA, regarding changes to Scottish teachers’ conditions of service. The matter will now be put to a ballot of SSTA members with a recommendation to reject the offer. Speaking in Edinburgh, SSTA General Secretary, Ann Ballinger said: “The meeting of the SNCT last Wednesday considered a new offer from COSLA. The SSTA representatives undertook to refer the offer…

Scottish Pensioners' Forum

Scottish Pensioners Forum Manifesto Launch PENSIONERS FOR PUBLIC SERVICES “THERE IS A BETTER WAY” 4 April 2011 at 10.30am Tea/coffee from 10am STUC, 333 Woodlands Road Glasgow G3 6NG HUSTINGS 2011 THE CONTINUING ECONOMIC CRISIS AND THE WELFARE STATE II THERE A ‘BETTER WAY' FORWARD ? Parties invites Communist Conservative Green Labour Liberal Democrat Scottish Nationalist Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Scottish Socialists 4 April 2010 at 6.00pm Tea/coffee from 5.30pm STUC, 333 Woodlands Road Glasgow G3 6NG

Technologies for Learning Strategy

The Scottish Government is developing a Technologies for Learning Strategy which aims to further the use of technology in learning and assessment in a practical and organised way for the benefit of Scotland's learners and Scotland's economic growth.     To help inform the strategy they have developed two short surveys aimed at parents/guardians and teachers/practitioners. Both surveys can be accessed from the following link: http://www.engageforeducation.org/2011/03/what-do-you-think-about-technologies-for-learning/ Each survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete and   your views would…

Pensions Commission Report published

The report of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission (the Hutton Commission) is published today. It contains wide ranging proposals (which constitute recommendations and need not be implemented) relating to the design of public sector pension schemes. The Report contains nothing particularly unexpected (there was an interim report published in 2010) but at least one of the proposals will have a significant bearing on many members' pensions. The major proposals include: The total protection of benefits currently accrued (that is,…

Teacher Union Gives Pension Proposals Variable Report

The SSTA, representing 8500 Scottish Secondary Teachers, today accepted much of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission (the Hutton Report) but at the same time rejected one of the central proposals. Speaking today in Edinburgh, SSTA General Secretary, Ann Ballinger commented on the report. “Lord Hutton and the Commission members are to be congratulated on the scope, depth and readability of the Report. It contains wide ranging proposals which do substantially deal with all relevant issues and do provide a…

Consultative Ballot regarding Proposed Changes to Conditions of Services

Due to a clerical error in the preparation of the ballot papers a small number of members will receive duplicate papers. Unfortunately we have not been able to identify exactly who received duplicate copies of the papers. We ask that members who do receive duplicate papers disregard them. The number of duplicate ballot papers issued should have no real impact on the result of the ballot. Before any formal action is taken we will hold a formal ballot under TU…

Review of teacher employment in Scotland

Professor McCormac, Chair of the Review of Teacher Employment, has issued a Call for Evidence to be submitted to the Review Group from interested parties.   Members are encouraged to give their opinions by complete the questionnaire.   Please remember that group replies are frequently given the same weighting as individual ones.   For that reason it is very important that as many members as possible respond giving their views.   The questionnaire can be found on the Scottish Government…

Consultative Ballot regarding Proposed Changes to Conditions of Services

Dear Colleagues Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee met on Wednesday 2 March 2011, where it was agreed that a consultative ballot of members employed in the state sector would take place in relation to the changes in conditions of service proposed by COLSA.   In addition to being asked if they support the proposals, members will be asked to consider whether industrial action should take place if the changes are imposed by COSLA.   Details of the proposed changes…