{"id":2788,"date":"2022-10-01T10:08:48","date_gmt":"2022-10-01T09:08:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/jun2023\/?p=2788"},"modified":"2023-06-30T15:09:39","modified_gmt":"2023-06-30T14:09:39","slug":"schools-out-lgbt-education-in-scotland-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/AGM2023\/schools-out-lgbt-education-in-scotland-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Salaries Motions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
<\/span><\/span>

Restoring teachers\u2019 pay<\/h3><\/div>
\n

Council<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat this AGM instruct Council to campaign to ensure that future pay increases for teachers and associated professionals address restoration of the value of teachers\u2019 pay, as established following implementation of the 2001 Teachers\u2019 Agreement: A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A motion regarding a campaign to ensure that future pay increases for teachers and associated professionals address restoration of the value of teachers\u2019 pay, was proposed by Salaries Convener Des Morris (East Renfrewshire and Council). \u201cYou cannot pick and choose which bits of McCrone you want to lose and which bits you want to keep\u201d, said Mr Morris. \u201cWe 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.\u201d Speaking in support of the motion, incoming Vice-President, Allan Crosbie (Edinburgh) said, \u201cWe 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.\u201d After a show of hands the motion was carried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/span><\/span>

Linking teachers\u2019 pay to RPI<\/h3><\/div>
\n

Dumfries & Galloway Local Association<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat this AGM instruct the EIS to campaign to have SNCT contract holder pay linked to the rate of RPI inflation, once the spending power of said pay has reached it real terms value following the implementation of A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century in 2001.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

 This motion called for a campaign to have teachers\u2019 pay linked to the rate of RPI inflation. Andrew O\u2019Halloran (Dumfries and Galloway) referenced the success of the Value Education Value Teachers campaign and the Pay Attention campaign. Mr O\u2019Halloran said, \u201cThe 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.\u201d The motion was seconded by Alan McCLure (Dumfries and Galloway) and was carried by an overwhelming majority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/span><\/span>

Reducing class sizes and class contact time<\/h3><\/div>
\n

Council
Renfrewshire Local Association<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat this AGM galvanise member engagement from the pay campaign, instruct Council to prioritise a reaffirmed commitment to the 20\/20 campaign and to continue to seek meaningful reductions in class contact time and class sizes through negotiation at the SNCT.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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, \u201cI 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\u2019s get it right for our teachers, let\u2019s get it right for our young people and let\u2019s support this motion. Also speaking in support of the motion, Irvine Tait (Shetland) said, \u201cAny way you look at it the Scottish Government has failed on their commitment to reduce class sizes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span><\/span>

Guidance and Pupil Support<\/h3><\/div>
\n

South Lanarkshire Local Association<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat this AGM calls on Council to overtake a survey of Local Agreements pertaining to caseload and class contact time of Guidance\/Pupil Support teachers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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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, \u201cI have noticed the pressure placed on our pupil support assistants and since COVID this has only increased.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alan Gardiner (North Lanarkshire) discussed his own experience as a pupil support teacher. He said, \u201cI feel quite well placed to notice changes in the role and increased workload and increased pressures. If we\u2019re having to do much more then something has got to give and unfortunately, if it\u2019s not the teaching time, it\u2019s going to be the staff.\u201d Phil Pearce (Edinburgh), speaking in support of the motion, described the pressure his wife is under as a guidance teacher, \u201cThe work guidance teachers have to do is unattainable. The workload is unattainable.\u201d The motion carried by an overwhelming majority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/span><\/span>

PSA staffing formula & funding<\/h3><\/div>
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Inverclyde Local Association<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat this AGM calls for a Pupil Support Assistant (PSA) staffing formula to be developed and adopted \u2013 with ringfenced funding to Local Authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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, \u201cWe\u2019ve 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.\u201d Kirsty McCafferty (Inverclyde) described the extensive list of administrative tasks PSAs need to complete. \u201cHow 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\u2019t progressing teaching and learning – we shouldn\u2019t be doing it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span><\/span>

Commercial accreditations<\/h3><\/div>
\n

Borders Local Association<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat this AGM instructs Council to investigate and report on the use of commercial accreditations as essential criteria for employment in promoted posts and Lead Teacher roles.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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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, \u201cThis motion is not about the availability of the accreditations but about the fairness and transparency of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First-time speaker Kyra Tweddle (Scottish Borders) said, \u201cRecruitment processes should be fair and they should be equitable and on this basis I ask members to support the motion.\u201d Joanne Thomson (Shetland) called on delegates to support the motion as she said, \u201cThis is nepotism. This is outrageous.\u201d The motion was carried by an overwhelming majority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/span><\/span>

Teachers\u2019 pension age<\/h3><\/div>
\n

Council<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat this AGM instruct Council to campaign for the Normal Pension Age (NPA) within Scottish Teachers\u2019 Pension Scheme to be 60 years of age and to be de-coupled from the state retirement age permanently.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mick Dolan (West Dunbartonshire and Council) proposed a motion calling for the normal pension age within the Scottish Teachers\u2019 Pension Scheme to be lowered to 60 and to be decoupled from the state retirement age permanently. Mr Dolan said, \u201cWe need to do all we can to get future governments to abandon this link and provide secure pensions for teachers.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seconding the motion, Des Morris (Renfrewshire) said, \u201cOur 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.\u201d Speaking in support of the motion, Louise Bishop (Edinburgh) highlighted her decision to leave teaching as she said, \u201cI\u2019m 58 years old and I\u2019m knackered. I\u2019ve spent the last 40 years studying, raising a family, working and I cannot make it to age 68.\u201d After a show of hands, the motion was carried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/span><\/span>

Religious holidays<\/h3><\/div>
\n

Dumfries & Galloway Local Association<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat this AGM instruct the EIS to campaign to enshrine the right to time off for non-Christian religious holidays and festivals within the SNCT, in recognition of the multi-cultural and multi-faith reality of our profession.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Andrew O\u2019Halloran (Dumfries and Galloway) successfully proposed a motion to campaign for the right to time off for non-Christian religious holidays. \u201cAs 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\u2019t recognise your beliefs and your priorities?\u201d, he said. Seconding the motion Adela Mansur (Edinburgh) said, \u201cI find it incomprehensible that some LAs don\u2019t allow the holidays or leave it for the headteacher to decide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These practices are divisive. If we want a more diverse workforce, then let\u2019s respect the holidays and religions in our society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/span><\/span>

Emergency family leave<\/h3><\/div>
\n

Glasgow Local Association<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on the provision for emergency family leave across all Local Authorities and use this information to campaign for improved emergency family leave provision.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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, \u201cOur 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.\u201d Jenny McGeehan (Glasgow) said, \u201cWe must ensure we campaign to provide clear guidelines and equal provision of emergency family leave for our members.\u201d Delegates voted in favour of the motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span><\/span>

Maternity, paternity and adoptive leave payments<\/h3><\/div>
\n

Dumfries & Galloway Local Association
Renfrewshire Local Association
West Dunbartonshire Local Association<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat this AGM instructs Council to campaign to provide a mechanism to have maternity, paternity and adoptive leave pay payments spread equally throughout the period of one’s leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Furthermore, that this AGM instructs Council to pursue improvements in the pension provision of members who temporarily leave the pension scheme during Maternity Leave.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This motion called for a campaign to have maternity, paternity and adoptive leave payments spread equally throughout the period of one\u2019s leave. Andrew O\u2019Halloran (Dumfries and Galloway) said, \u201cOne 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The motion was seconded by Yasmin Murray (Renfrewshire) who highlighted her personal concerns around maternity pay. \u201cI am the main breadwinner in my household. Statutory maternity pay is less than my rent. I work so hard to give to other people\u2019s 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\u2019 work, their salaries, their holidays and think it\u2019s great, but this is not good enough.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking in support of the motion Mick Dolan (West Dunbartonshire) said, \u201cChildren 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/span><\/span>

Supporting teachers through miscarriage<\/h3><\/div>
\n

Edinburgh Local Association<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat this AGM calls on Council to campaign at SNCT to implement miscarriage leave (before 24 weeks) as a specific pregnancy related absence that does not contribute towards general absence records.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t 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.\u201d Tom Britton (Edinburgh) gave<\/p>\n\n\n\n

an emotional speech, as he described his and his wife\u2019s experience after suffering a miscarriage. \u201cWomen 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\u2019t 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.\u201d Following a vote, the motion was carried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/span><\/span>

Job-sizing toolkit<\/h3><\/div>
\n

West Dunbartonshire Local Association<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis AGM instructs Council to pursue improvements in the recognition of elements in the job sizing toolkit to impact on improved salary points in relation to, but not exclusively in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n


(a) The increasing responsibility placed on Pastoral care staff
(b) The increasing responsibility given to Principal Teacher roles in Primary schools and in Early Years establishments.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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, \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A motion regarding a campaign to ensure that future pay increases for teachers and associated professionals address restoration of the value of teachers\u2019 pay, was proposed by Salaries Convener Des Morris (East Renfrewshire and Council). \u201cYou cannot pick and choose which bits of McCrone you want to lose and which bits you want to keep\u201d, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3030,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/AGM2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/AGM2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/AGM2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/AGM2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/AGM2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2788"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/AGM2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3182,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/AGM2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2788\/revisions\/3182"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/AGM2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/AGM2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/AGM2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/AGM2023\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}