Joint Consultative Committee (teachers) - 19/03/2002

At a MEETING of the JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TEACHERS held at Dundee on 19th March, 2002.

Present:-

Councillors

Representing Management

Representing Trade Unions

Corporate JCC (Observer)

Richard WHYTE

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Lord Provost John LETFORD and Councillor Rod WALLACE.

Councillor George de GERNIER, in the Chair.

I MINUTE OF MEETING HELD ON 13TH NOVEMBER, 2001

The minute of the meeting held on 13th November, 2001 was received as a correct record.

It was also agreed that the Joint Secretaries would be involved in the preparation of the minute.

II REPORTING INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST SCHOOL STAFF - SESSION 2000-2001

It was noted from the report circulated that there had been an increase in incidents of violence against staff. The Convener pointed out that while the number of incidents appeared to have increased this was a reflection on the more robust reporting procedure now in place. The trade unions accepted that this was likely to be the case at least in part but that the level of incidents remained nevertheless a cause of serious concern.

The Director reported that intervention mechanisms are now in place to deal with incidents that are perpetrated by the same person or on the same person and will include intervention by other agencies.

Methods are being looked at to target individual cases in the form of other school provision etc. The Director of Education confirmed that the Education Department Senior Management Team are pro-active in seeking solutions to reduce the number of incidents of violence against staff.

III ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS

A report was submitted on the assessment of current security arrangements. The Trade Unions, whilst welcoming the report, highlighted areas that still caused concern for teachers. It was felt that the report should form the basis of an action plan to deal with the issues raised.

The Director of Education outlined areas where action would be taken to alleviate a number of the problems highlighted.

It was agreed that follow-up action will be taken by the Director of Education and reported back to the Joint Consultative Committee.

IV IMPLEMENTATION OF "A TEACHING PROFESSION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY" - FUNDING FOR SUPPORT STAFF ANDCPD

The Trade Unions raised concerns about the budget savings for Support Staff and CPD. This will result in no additional support staff being appointed and that funding will be restricted for CPD. The trade unions expressed their dissatisfaction about the lack of dialogue with them on the matter and the lack of communication with teaching staff about the decision on budget savings and its implications. In addition, they intimated an expectation that discussions with the Director would include consideration of compensatory concessions on work requirements in the light of the inability to appoint additional support staff.

The Director of Education stated that she had spoken to all Head Teachers on the implications of the budget agreed on 14th February, 2002 and how it would impact on funding for Support Staff and CPD.

Measures are being taken to raise this issue with the Scottish Executive pointing out the problems caused by underfunding. The Convener hoped that the Scottish Executive may still provide the appropriate funding and felt the Trade Unions had a duty to also take the matter up with the Scottish Executive. The trade unions confirmed that they had done so at an earlier stage and would continue to support the Council's efforts in this regard.

It was agreed to continue to have representations made to the Scottish Executive in a bid to secure the necessary funding.

V IMPLEMENTATION OF "A TEACHING PROFESSION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY" ESTABLISHMENT OF A LOCALNEGOTIATING COMMITTEE - IMPLEMENTATION OF CIRCULAR SNG/8

The trade unions distributed a paper relating to the proposed Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers which is due to be established and expressed their strong preference for their proposal contained therein for the process of reaching binding agreement.

The Chief Executive stated that the proposals tabled by the Trade Unions would not be acceptable and what the Council is proposing in relation to Teachers is no different to how negotiations take place with other Trade Unions.

The trade unions expressed the firm view that this position was not consistent with the intention of the national agreement as contained in Circular SNCT/8.

The issue as to where Head Teachers sit in relation to the local Negotiating Committee was raised by the Trade Unions. The Chief Executive stated that consultation with Head Teachers had indicated that they see themselves as managers and that they would wish to sit on the management side of the Committee. It was pointed out that both sides select their own members.

VI IMPLEMENTATION OF "A TEACHING PROFESSION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY" - PROBATION INDUCTION YEAR -CONSIDERATION OF PRC TO ASSIST IN PROVIDING SUFFICIENT PLACES

The Trade Unions asked that the Education Department give active thought to PRC (ie early retirement) in assisting with the new probation induction arrangements.

In order to provide as many places as possible for probationer teachers and to honour the commitment to teachers currently on temporary contracts it was suggested that the following be implemented to assist in creating sufficient vacancies:

(1) use of early retiral provisions, and

(2) use of the "winding down arrangements" (from August, 2002), allowing certain teachers to go part-time.

The Chief Executive indicated that Management were also supportive of these proposals and it was noted that this matter is being looked at but no funding has yet been received from the Scottish Executive for the "winding down scheme".

It was agreed that the Trade Unions and Management would continue to discuss this issue.

VII DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, 18th June, 2002 at 9.15 am, Committee Room 3, 14 City Square, Dundee.