Mike Russell accused of 'bully' tactics for kicking union off curriculum board

One of Scotland's most powerful teaching unions has accused the education secretary of "bullying" after he banned the organisation from a key schools committee.

• Michael Russell had 'no option' but to suspend the SSTA because it refused to withdraw its threat of action

In what one political opponent described as a "vendetta", Michael Russell said he had "no option" but to suspend the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) from the Curriculum For Excellence Management Board, because it refused to withdraw its threat of industrial action over the new curriculum.

The board contains representatives from unions, government and key education organisations, and Mr Russell previously vowed to listen to it.

A vote by members earlier this year decreed the controversial new Curriculum for Excellence should not be delayed by a year, but go ahead in August.

Last night, Mr Russell said the SSTA had been given ample opportunity to withdraw its threat of industrial action and accused the union of being in conflict with its role on the board to promote and support the curriculum, by balloting on a potential work to hours.

He described its action as "simply unacceptable".

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• Letter from SSTA

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The move means the union's representative on the board, SSTA president Peter Wright, will find the door barred to him at the meeting on 26 October.

The row began after delegates at the union's annual congress in May backed a motion calling for a work to contracted hours over the new curriculum.

The union had consistently called for a year's delay, more detail, greater course content and firm timescales for when pupils will start studying for exam courses, as well as more training and resources.

An indicative ballot of the membership received backing to go ahead will a full ballot on action by the union.

If supported by a majority of members, this would mean a work to the 35 hours, as set down by the teachers' agreement, but not a strike or a boycott of the system.

Last night, SSTA general secretary Ann Ballinger said ejecting the union was unnecessary, as ongoing negotiations with councils meant action might be avoided in many areas.

She said: "We are trying hard to reach an agreement with local authorities that will enable teachers to deliver the Curriculum for Excellence without any stress and too much work, and this is counter-productive."

And the union accused Mr Russell of bullying. Mrs Ballinger said: "The ruling executive and council had a meeting earlier this month to discuss this issue.Neither had any hesitation in declaring the threats to the SSTA's position on the Curriculum Management Board as anything less than bullying."

The SSTA was the only organisation represented on the board to vote for a year's delay, which would have been the second time implementation was put back a year to give teachers more time to adapt and train.

The Scottish Government says all members of the board agree to back policy, once passed by a majority vote, and accused the union of a conflict of interest.

Critics accused the education secretary of trying to fight unions for no good reason.

Des McNulty, Labour education spokesman, said: "Mike Russell should be focusing his attention on the urgent task of taking forward the Curriculum for Excellence rather than pursuing a vendetta against an organisation that represents a significant proportion of secondary teachers."

A source on the management board said: "It seems a little strange when the SSTA is only one dissenting voice. They would likely be voted down anyway, so throwing them off the board seems a little over the top."

Last night, Mr Russell said: "SSTA has been a valued member of the … Management Board. However, the recent actions of its leaders, which have gone against decisions agreed by the board, are incompatible with their continued membership.

"SSTA has been given the opportunity to reconsider its position and ensure its members' views can continue to be represented. They have not done so, and therefore we have no choice but to accept they have effectively suspended their membership of the Management Board."