Thousands of Scottish teachers are set to take industrial action in a protest over changes to their pensions.
The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association balloted its members, asking if they were willing to take part in action other than a strike. Just under 86% of those responding said yes and the union’s executive has now decided to order a ”work to contract”, starting from May 14.
A spokesman said: ”Detailed advice will be sent to members who will be asked to teach assigned classes, complete those tasks listed in their working time agreement and undertake no other tasks.”
SSTA general secretary Anne Ballinger had previously said the union did not accept that the UK Government has proved the pension scheme is underfunded. She also said the decision to make future pension provision payable at the state male retirement age was ”totally unacceptable”.
The country’s largest teaching union, the EIS, said it is still willing to talk but warned it is possible it will call its members out on strike again after previous protests. It represents 80% of Scotland’s teachers.
General secretary Larry Flanagan said: ”The EIS remains committed to effective industrial action to defend teachers’ pensions and we have been clear that further strike action is likely if neither the Scottish nor the UK government is prepared to respond positively to our campaign.
”Such action will require the majority support of teachers in Scotland, which only the EIS is in a position to deliver.
”Currently, we are in discussions with the Scottish Government in an attempt to agree a Scottish solution to the issue of teachers’ pension arrangements. We will continue to negotiate in good faith in an attempt to reach a satisfactory agreement.”
The unions are angry about proposals to change the accrual of existing pensions from final salary to average salary with effect from 2015, align the retirement age with the state retirement age and introduce a tiered contribution system which will mean promoted post holders paying extra contributions and a higher rate.
The UK Government has said the changes are necessary to ensure the pension scheme remains financially sound.