The Scottish Educational Journal - EIS

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FESTIVE CHEER IN SHORT SUPPLY FROM LOCAL AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENT Shortly before this SEJ went to press, two important events took place which will have a significant impact for the living standards of teachers across Scotland. In late November, after many months of delay, the Scottish Government finally announced its intentions regarding public sector pensions, including those of teachers and lecturers. Despite repeatedly stating that it was opposed to the UK Coalition Government’s drive to increase pension contributions from public sector workers, the Scottish Government eventually announced that it would pass on these increases to teachers, lecturers and other public sector workers in Scotland. The EIS was outspoken in its criticism of this decision. The previous week, the local authority umbrella group COSLA had issued a public statement announcing that all local authority employees, including teachers, were being offered a 1% pay rise for the coming year. This announcement came ahead of any discussions on teachers’ pay through the appropriate, mutually agreed, forum – the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers. COSLA’s announcement of a 1% pay increase not only came before any offer had been put to teaching unions through the SNCT, it came before any payclaim from the teachers’ side had actually been agreed or submitted through the agreed bargaining procedures. Again, the EIS was highly critical of this pre-emptive announcement by COSLA, which openly flouted all the agreed procedures of the SNCT. It is clear that these remain very difficult times for all teaching professionals, and for most others in the public sector. The continuing squeeze on take-home pay – with a 2 year pay freeze, two successive years of increased pension contributions, and the latest below-inflation pay offer – is pushing many people to the limit as soaring fuel, power, food, commodity and transport prices continue to pile the pressure on personal finances. The EIS will continue to do all that it can to protect the living standards of teaching professionals, despite these continuing attacks by local and national government. The EIS Protect Pensions campaign continues, and talks with the Scottish government are scheduled for mid-December where issues such as the protection of teachers’ normal retirement age will be discussed, and a formal offer on teachers’ pensions is expected from the Scottish Government. A pay-claim for next year was agreed by the November EIS Council meeting and, despite COSLA’s premature announcement, the pay-claim will be pursued by the teachers’ side through the proper channel of the SNCT. In these difficult times, it remains essential that teachers, lecturers and others work together to protect public services and the pay and conditions of public sector workers. Further industrial action may be necessary to defend education and its teaching professionals from yet more attacks. It is not a prospect that many teachers or lecturers will savour, but it remains a distinct possibility if both local and national government refuse to give ground as we struggle to protect our public services. Season’s Greetings from the SEJ Despite the challenges and difficulties outlined above, the SEJ hopes that all EIS members will enjoy the festive season and take advantage of the winter break to spend good times with friends and family. We wish you all the best over the holidays, and hope that you enjoy a healthy and happy year in 2013. Contents 4. News 6. Council News 8. Austerity Isn’t Working 10. Pensions Update 12. FE National Bargaining 14. Reps Feature 15. EIS Contacts 16. Christmas Quiz 18. CPD Focus 20. Mary’s Meals 22. Children in Chains 24. Peer Mentoring 26. Challenging Homophobia 27. Crossword 28. Classifieds/Sudoku 29. SEJ Forum 30. Children Say The Funniest Things All articles and letters in the SEJ represent the views of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the EIS view or EIS policy. To be considered for publication, all letters and unsolicited articles must be accompanied by a full name and address. The Editor’s decision on publication is final, and the Editor reserves the right to edit all submissions. THE EDITOR: The SEJ Editor, 46 Moray Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BH t: 0131 225 6244 E: sej@eis.org.uk ON THE COVER Attack of the CON-DEMS Illustration by Steve Carroll
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