Teachers’ union chief hits out at ‘derisory and offensive’ pay

The head of a secondary school teachers’ union has said it will work “with the devil and his cat” to protect pay and conditions.

Margaret Smith, president of the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA), attacked an “appalling erosion” of working conditions created by the Scottish Government’s pay freeze, UK Government pension reforms and proposals in the McCormac Review of teacher employment in Scotland.

Ms Smith criticised a “derisory and offensive” 1 per cent pay offer while money was spent on “wars and bankers’ bonuses”.

She said teachers were already facing “indiscipline, workplace bullying, low morale and career stagnation”.

In an advance copy of a speech to the SSTA congress in Peebles today, she said: “Pay has now been frozen for two years during a period of continuing inflation not seen for 20 years and, adding insult to injury, we are now offered a 1 per cent increase in pay come April 2013.

“I am not alone in thinking this to be derisory and offensive.”

She said McCormac’s recommendation of “flexibility” within the working week is “effectively an end to the 35-hour week” before attacking the lack of resources to manage changes.