Scottish teachers preparing for March 28 too!

"Scotland’s Teachers Look To Pre-Easter Strike In Pensions Campaign"

Scotland’s largest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), is to consult its members on taking strike action on 28 March 2012 as part on an ongoing joint trade union campaign to protect public sector pensions.

The EIS will issue ballot papers to its members next week and will urge them to continue their strong opposition to Government plans which would make teachers work longer, pay more and get less for their pensions.

Announcing the launch of the consultative ballot, General Secretary Ronnie Smith said, "Although the Westminster Government has made minor changes to its proposals following the national day of action on 30 November, it is clear that the great majority of teachers do not accept the Government’s plans for their pensions.

That is why the EIS, together with a number of like-minded public sector unions, is contemplating further strike action, commencing on 28 March 2012.”

Mr Smith added, "While the Westminster Government has at least made its intentions clear, teachers in Scotland have heard nothing from the Scottish Government on its plans for their pensions. Their only action to date has been to copy the Westminster Government’s imposition of increases in contribution rates from 1 April 2012.

Unless the Scottish Government urgently engages in meaningful discussion with unions, the risk is that we will simply have to swallow whatever is dished up by the Westminster by way of pensions reform. Scottish teachers deserve, and expect, better.”

It is expected that the EIS Executive Committee will meet on 15 March to receive the result of the consultative ballot and decide on their next steps in the joint trade union campaign.

From EIS website: http://www.eis.org.uk/public.asp?id=1874&dbase=2