NASUWT: Teachers call for McCormac recommendations to be set aside
Monday, 7 November 2011 10:15 AM
Members of the NASUWT, the fastest growing teachers’ union in Scotland gathered at the NASUWT’s Edinburgh Centre over the weekend at a seminar to discuss the recommendations of the McCormac Review which the Government is currently considering.
The seminar took place as employers across Scotland received notice of the intention of the NASUWT to ballot it members for industrial action for the first time in decades in response to the sustained attacks on teachers’ working conditions, pensions, pay and jobs.
The key issues raised by members were that:
the McCrone provisions which led to the current Teachers’ Agreement had played a positive role in securing better industrial relations in schools, and introduced improvements to enable teachers to raise standards which would be placed at risk by implementation of the McCormac recommendations;
the McCormac Review was unnecessary and that its recommendations, if implemented, would put the working conditions of teachers at serious risk and undermine their ability to focus on teaching and learning;
the recommendations are ignorant of the day to day realities of the classroom and the mounting pressures facing teachers and school leaders.
Members called for the Scottish Government, the GTCS and COSLA to set aside the McCormac proposals and to work with the NASUWT to develop more positive approaches to sustaining and enhancing further the working conditions of teachers to ensure that they can continue to do the best for the children and young people they teach.
Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary said:
“The depth of anger and dismay members raised about the McCormac Review came as no surprise to the NASUWT.
“In the last twelve months the attacks on teachers have been relentless.
“Conditions of service have been worsened by changes driven by local authorities, pay has been frozen, pension provision is threatened by unfair and unjust proposals and savage cuts have resulted in job loss and job insecurity.
“McCormac is the last straw.
“Later this week NASUWT members across Scotland will be receiving their ballot papers for industrial action.
“Teachers pay and conditions of service are inextricably linked to the quality of education provision.
“Members voting in the NASUWT ballot will be standing up for standards as clearly the Scottish Government is not.”
ENDS
Ben Padley
Journalist
Campaigns and Communications
NASUWT,
Hillscourt Education Centre,
Rose Hill,
Birmingham.
B45 8RS
Tel: 0121 453 6150
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