A motion regarding a campaign to ensure that future pay increases for teachers and associated professionals address restoration of the value of teachers’ pay, was proposed by Salaries Convener Des Morris (East Renfrewshire and Council). “You cannot pick and choose which bits of McCrone you want to lose and which bits you want to keep”, said Mr Morris. “We cannot again be subjected to this boom-and-bust response to teachers pay. There are too many other situations to discuss. We must not ever get into another situation where we have to strike in defence of our pay.” Speaking in support of the motion, incoming Vice-President, Allan Crosbie (Edinburgh) said, “We cannot have a reduction in our workload, an improvement to our health and wellbeing without an investment of more teachers. Support this motion not just in the justice of pay restoration, but support this motion because it is the wisest thing to do to relieve the pressures in our schools.” After a show of hands the motion was carried.

 This motion called for a campaign to have teachers’ pay linked to the rate of RPI inflation. Andrew O’Halloran (Dumfries and Galloway) referenced the success of the Value Education Value Teachers campaign and the Pay Attention campaign. Mr O’Halloran said, “The value of these victories is being eroded by inflation. The cost of living crisis has followed two massive victories and our pay has still eroded. Once we do get back to a restorative pay element we try and peg our pay to the rate of inflation.” The motion was seconded by Alan McCLure (Dumfries and Galloway) and was carried by an overwhelming majority.

Salaries Convener Des Morris (East Renfrewshire and Council), successfully moved a motion calling for the EIS to campaign for a reduction in class sizes and class contact time. Speaking in support of the motion, first-time speaker, Elaine Smith (Renfrewshire) said, “I am wholeheartedly supporting this motion. We are expected to get it right for every child, but with 30 children in a classroom we are told to do the impossible and just get on with it. Let’s get it right for our teachers, let’s get it right for our young people and let’s support this motion. Also speaking in support of the motion, Irvine Tait (Shetland) said, “Any way you look at it the Scottish Government has failed on their commitment to reduce class sizes.”

Jennifer Gaffney (South Lanarkshire) called for Council to overtake a survey on caseload and class contact time of guidance and pupil support teachers. Ms Gaffney said, “I have noticed the pressure placed on our pupil support assistants and since COVID this has only increased.”

Alan Gardiner (North Lanarkshire) discussed his own experience as a pupil support teacher. He said, “I feel quite well placed to notice changes in the role and increased workload and increased pressures. If we’re having to do much more then something has got to give and unfortunately, if it’s not the teaching time, it’s going to be the staff.” Phil Pearce (Edinburgh), speaking in support of the motion, described the pressure his wife is under as a guidance teacher, “The work guidance teachers have to do is unattainable. The workload is unattainable.” The motion carried by an overwhelming majority.

Incoming President, Paula McEwan (Inverclyde) was successful in proposing a motion for a PSA staffing formula to be adopted with ring-fenced funding for Local Authorities. Ms McEwan said, “We’ve already heard the statistics that inclusion needs to be supported and needs to be equitable. Our local model is being revisited but it will be rebuilt within the same budget parameters. If we are to get it right for every child, then every child needs appropriate support.” Kirsty McCafferty (Inverclyde) described the extensive list of administrative tasks PSAs need to complete. “How many of these things do you do now and how many increase the educational experience of pupils in your learning space? Colleagues we need to learn to say no. If a task isn’t progressing teaching and learning – we shouldn’t be doing it,” she said.

Moving a motion for Council to investigate and report on the use of commercial accreditations as essential criteria for employment in promoted posts and Lead Teacher roles, Lindsay Craig (Scottish Borders and Council) said, “This motion is not about the availability of the accreditations but about the fairness and transparency of them.”

First-time speaker Kyra Tweddle (Scottish Borders) said, “Recruitment processes should be fair and they should be equitable and on this basis I ask members to support the motion.” Joanne Thomson (Shetland) called on delegates to support the motion as she said, “This is nepotism. This is outrageous.” The motion was carried by an overwhelming majority.

Mick Dolan (West Dunbartonshire and Council) proposed a motion calling for the normal pension age within the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme to be lowered to 60 and to be decoupled from the state retirement age permanently. Mr Dolan said, “We need to do all we can to get future governments to abandon this link and provide secure pensions for teachers.”

Seconding the motion, Des Morris (Renfrewshire) said, “Our profession is a challenging and demanding one in which to work. It is an outrage that politicians declare that our members should put their health at risk by working until they are 68.” Speaking in support of the motion, Louise Bishop (Edinburgh) highlighted her decision to leave teaching as she said, “I’m 58 years old and I’m knackered. I’ve spent the last 40 years studying, raising a family, working and I cannot make it to age 68.” After a show of hands, the motion was carried.

Andrew O’Halloran (Dumfries and Galloway) successfully proposed a motion to campaign for the right to time off for non-Christian religious holidays. “As we become an ever-diverse society we have to recognise not everyone is focussed on Christmas. Would you want to work in a profession that doesn’t recognise your beliefs and your priorities?”, he said. Seconding the motion Adela Mansur (Edinburgh) said, “I find it incomprehensible that some LAs don’t allow the holidays or leave it for the headteacher to decide.

These practices are divisive. If we want a more diverse workforce, then let’s respect the holidays and religions in our society.”

Dealing with a family emergency is stressful enough without knowing what rights you have and whether or not you may lose pay Alison Beattie (Glasgow) proposed a motion calling for an investigation on the provision for emergency family leave across Local Authorities. Ms Beattie said, “Our members need to know where they stand and what they are entitled to when these emergencies occur. Dealing with a family emergency is stressful enough without knowing what rights you have and whether or not you may lose pay.” Jenny McGeehan (Glasgow) said, “We must ensure we campaign to provide clear guidelines and equal provision of emergency family leave for our members.” Delegates voted in favour of the motion.

This motion called for a campaign to have maternity, paternity and adoptive leave payments spread equally throughout the period of one’s leave. Andrew O’Halloran (Dumfries and Galloway) said, “One of the problems is that when you are being paid your maternity pay, not all the payments are equal. That can lead to difficulties in planning and financially managing your household. This motion would avoid members having a great deal of stress and in some cases hardship.”

The motion was seconded by Yasmin Murray (Renfrewshire) who highlighted her personal concerns around maternity pay. “I am the main breadwinner in my household. Statutory maternity pay is less than my rent. I work so hard to give to other people’s children the best, and I love my job and I love what I do. But I do feel emotional about this because people look at teachers’ work, their salaries, their holidays and think it’s great, but this is not good enough.”

Speaking in support of the motion Mick Dolan (West Dunbartonshire) said, “Children are the lifeblood of the country and economy. Having children must be supported and the women who have them should not be penalised for that.”

Proposing a motion calling for the SNCT to implement miscarriage leave before 24 weeks as specific pregnancy related absence, Claire Robertson (Edinburgh) said, The SNCT doesn’t recognise the loss of a baby under 24 weeks the same way as still birth or neonatal death. No one should have to worry about an absence trigger on top of losing a baby.” Tom Britton (Edinburgh) gave

an emotional speech, as he described his and his wife’s experience after suffering a miscarriage. “Women who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks are entitled to support and need time to grieve losing a baby. We experienced this loss. It was hard to watch the agony my wife went through. The pain doesn’t end when the bad news comes. There are medical procedures to be endured, and only once that is done can the grieving process begin. Providing this change will provide a chance for people to grieve and not worry about work.” Following a vote, the motion was carried.

The caseload needs to be reviewed urgently. Principal Teacher roles and Pastoral care have been in crisis for some time. The toolkit is not there to reduce workload

Delegates also voted in support of a motion to pursue improvements in the recognition of elements in the job sizing toolkit. Moving the motion, Mick Dolan said, “The caseload needs to be reviewed urgently. Principal Teacher roles and Pastoral care have been in crisis for some time. The toolkit is not there to reduce workload.”