Chamber
Plenary, 30 Sep 1999
30 Sep 1999 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Non-Executive Business: Education
No, Mr Henry, I believe in the continuation of the SJNC and that this year's pay dispute is a matter for teachers and COSLA to deal with through the SJNC. The real question this morning is for the minister: if, next Friday, when the SJNC meets, COSLA and the unions agree on an offer that is in excess of the money that is provided by the Executive for teachers' pay, will Sam Galbraith make up the difference? That is the real question, and I hope that we will get an answer to it.
Let me turn to the offer that has been rejected by 98 per cent of the teaching profession—an offer that by any standards of democracy and partnership should, in its current form, be dead and buried, but an offer that is still hanging around by virtue of the committee of inquiry's terms of reference, which state:
"The committee's recommendations may cover any or all of the issues set out in the SJNC management side's offer to the teachers' side."
Let us look at pay. It has been argued that the teachers' pay offer of an average of 14 per cent over three years is generous, because it is above inflation. The minister said last week that it was not unreasonable. The argument is not bad, until it is put into context—the context of the dramatic erosion of teachers' pay over the past 30 years. The index of average earnings shows that teachers' salaries have fallen behind by 8 per cent. When they are compared to the average salaries of other graduates, the position is even worse—teachers' salaries are now a staggering 16 per cent behind. COSLA's proposed increase averages 4.7 per cent a year for the next three years. However, the increase in average earnings is more than 5 per cent. By encouraging teachers to accept the offer, the Minister for Education was asking them to sign up to a deal that would see their pay further eroded over the next three years. Would he have voted for that? I think not.
Let me turn to the offer that has been rejected by 98 per cent of the teaching profession—an offer that by any standards of democracy and partnership should, in its current form, be dead and buried, but an offer that is still hanging around by virtue of the committee of inquiry's terms of reference, which state:
"The committee's recommendations may cover any or all of the issues set out in the SJNC management side's offer to the teachers' side."
Let us look at pay. It has been argued that the teachers' pay offer of an average of 14 per cent over three years is generous, because it is above inflation. The minister said last week that it was not unreasonable. The argument is not bad, until it is put into context—the context of the dramatic erosion of teachers' pay over the past 30 years. The index of average earnings shows that teachers' salaries have fallen behind by 8 per cent. When they are compared to the average salaries of other graduates, the position is even worse—teachers' salaries are now a staggering 16 per cent behind. COSLA's proposed increase averages 4.7 per cent a year for the next three years. However, the increase in average earnings is more than 5 per cent. By encouraging teachers to accept the offer, the Minister for Education was asking them to sign up to a deal that would see their pay further eroded over the next three years. Would he have voted for that? I think not.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
The first item of business this morning is a non- Executive debate on motion S1M-172, in the name of Mr Alex Salmond, on education, and amendments to that mo...
Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
To begin, I would like to say a word or two on why the Scottish National party has chosen as the subject of our Opposition debate this morning the pay and co...
Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab) rose—
Lab
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
I will give way in a minute, Hugh. The Executive is the third party in the Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff in School Education, albei...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
Will Ms Sturgeon tell us whether the SNP recommends paying in full the demand from the teachers' unions for an 8 per cent pay rise this year? Is the SNP prep...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
No, Mr Henry, I believe in the continuation of the SJNC and that this year's pay dispute is a matter for teachers and COSLA to deal with through the SJNC. Th...
Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab):
Lab
Will Ms Sturgeon inform the chamber whether the SNP councils represented on COSLA supported COSLA's proposed offer?
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
I will do better than that; I will read from a motion that was passed by SNP- controlled Clackmannanshire Council. The motion says: "This council notes with ...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Before I call on the Minister for Children and Education to reply and move his amendment, I wish to remind members that yesterday's opening speeches overran ...
The Minister for Children and Education (Mr Sam Galbraith):
Lab
I will try to keep to time. I was pleased that the SNP spokesman, Nicola Sturgeon, mentioned children—at least in her speech. One of the striking features of...
Nicola Sturgeon rose—
SNP
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
No, I have just started. Please sit down. I welcome this opportunity to set out again the clear and positive thinking behind the Executive's decisions on the...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
Which individuals and bodies did the minister consult before taking the decision to set up the independent committee of inquiry? Will he justify his decision...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Order. Interventions are supposed to be brief.
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
Ms Sturgeon has already made her speech and she should be content with that, be a bit patient and let me deal with the matters before me. As part of our cons...
Nicola Sturgeon rose—
SNP
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
We need to consider why the process of discussion and deliberation, which took so long, led to such an outcome. We need to consider how we can deliver the ki...
Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):
*
Will the minister give way?
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
No thanks.My job is to raise teachers' salaries to the highest possible level. Like the Prime Minister, I see no reason why some teachers cannot be paid as w...
Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP):
SSP
I do not know whether the fact that the minister has given way is an indication of favouritism. He was asked a question on the committee of inquiry, which I ...
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
The member forgot to point out that representatives of the teaching profession are involved in the committee. Two head teachers, one from a primary school an...
Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
I will give way, but for the last time, as I am trying to keep to the time limit.
Michael Russell:
SNP
I hear the minister's point. Will he, however, respond publicly to the official letter that he received from the Scottish Trades Union Congress? The letter s...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Order. I have no friends.
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
It is a principle of mine always to respond privately to letters that are sent to me. I suggest that the member does the same, rather than, as he always does...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
I am winding up.Nevertheless, we have acted decisively and positively to show the way forward. Our approach allows the existing machinery of the SJNC to deli...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Both front-bench speakers have kept within the time limit, which is a new record for the Parliament. I call on Mr Monteith to do likewise and to move amendme...
Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I am pleased to take part in today's debate, because it is important that someone tries to bring the two sides together. In these days of cosy consensus poli...