Two-thirds of teaching union ready to strike over workload

Almost two-thirds of a teaching union’s members are prepared to go on strike over increased workloads caused by the introduction of new qualifications.

The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) sought the views of its members on measures proposed by the Scottish Government to address issues such as bureaucracy, stress and workload.

Its indicative ballot of 8,000 members found 91% of respondents are prepared to take industrial action short of strike action, while 64% are prepared to strike if necessary.

Seamus Searson, SSTA general secretary, said the results showed teachers are “clearly unhappy with the current proposals” to address workload concerns.

The ballot also found 96% of respondents lacked confidence in proposed Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) measures to reduce workload in the 2016-17 school year.

Mr Searson added: “Teachers have insufficient time to carry out the over-bureaucratic arrangements set out by SQA.

“The SSTA is requesting that the new Cabinet Secretary John Swinney, together with local authorities, as the employers of teachers, take control of the situation and impose limits on teacher time being spent on such activities that are taking teachers away from teaching and learning.”