Bulletin 394-04 12 October 2004

1. COUNCIL 2 OCTOBER 2004

a) Council heard reports on the latest stages of implementation of the McCrone Agreement, in particular with regard to conservation and probationers.

b) Council heard that the consultation exercise on changes to teachers’ pensions would begin shortly.

All members were urged to prevail on colleagues to make comments on the changes. Notes of guidance will be issued to members in early course.

c) The following motions were approved by Council.

• “This Association regards with the gravest suspicion the proposals for public pensions contained in the Green Paper, “Simplicity, Security, and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement” and believes that a clear aim for the proposals is to cause a lack of confidence in public pension schemes with a view to forcing scheme members and new employees into private pension arrangements.”

• “This Association calls on all local authorities in Scotland to devise and publish a set of emergency procedures for use by SMT and Local Authorities in a situation where a school building becomes unusable at short notice. These procedures should detail the steps to be taken to allow staff & pupils time to relocate, source appropriate work and resume meaningful learning and teaching, without causing unnecessary stress or upset to either staff or pupils whilst retaining adherence to all relevant H&S provisions

The School Safety Committee should be kept actively involved at all stages of the implementation of such procedures.”

2. DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENTS IN DECEMBER

Members who pay their subscription by monthly direct debit are advised of the following payment dates for December’s subscription. The Association will input data to BACS on Wednesday 29 December which will be processed on Thursday 30 December for payment on Friday 31 December.

3. PRE-RETIREMENT COURSE

A series of one day pre-retirement courses will take place during the first half of 2005. Details of dates and venues will be advised to members as soon as possible and will also be posted on the website.

4. CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Members who change their home address are asked to notify the Association office in writing. It is also advisable that changes of address are notified to the school, the authority, GTCS, the nearest Social Security office, the Inland Revenue and the Scottish Public Pensions Agency. In all cases, please quote any reference number (GTCS, National Insurance etc.)

The Social Security Office will make arrangements for NI records to be amended.

5. THE SSTA WEBSITE

The Association website is at www.ssta.org.uk and contains much useful information. Included are all SSTA information leaflets and SNCT Circulars. These are accessed via “Frequently Asked Questions”.

The site also allows enrolment online and has links to a number of useful sites including SQA, GTC(S), SCRE, LTS and the STUC.

It is also possible to enrol for SSTA organised events via the website. “The Latest News” item contains relevant application forms a well as a number of other items of interest.

6. RECOGNITION OFCHARTERED TEACHER MODULES

All members who complete Chartered Teacher modules should be aware that it is essential to obtain a “copy of the relevant certificate or written notice of the award” from the provider and that this information is passed to the employer without delay. Please note that the notification which is provided for the employer by GTC(S) is not sufficient. Regardless of when notification reaches the employer, any new salary which arises from the award is backdated to the first day of the month following the date shown on the certificate or notice of award. It is essential, therefore, that such certification is dated by the provider.

Full details of the relevant arrangements are shown in circular SNCT/25 (available via the SSTA website).

7. CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR CLOSURE OF THE SSTA OFFICE

Members are asked to note that the Association office will close at noon on Wednesday 22nd December and will re-open for normal business after New Year on Thursday 6 January 2004.

There will be an emergency service available on Thursday 23 December 2004 and Wednesday 5 January 2005. Any member who wishes urgent advice on those dates should initially contact 0131 556 5919 for further information.

ALAN McKENZIE, President
DAVID EAGLESHAM, General Secretary