SQA staff to stage series of strikes

Staff at the Scottish Qualifications Authority are set to strike on exam results day as part of a restructuring dispute.

The Unite union has confirmed three one-day strikes, on June 26, July 22 and results day on August 6.

There will also be an overtime ban in the week leading up to exam results day.

Unite says the restructuring process which has led to the dispute has left a number of workers without specific jobs, while other employees are in roles to which they are “not best suited to” but had to accept to “ensure continued job security”.

The SQA said it was “committed” to working with the union to address the issues.

Alison MacLean, Unite regional industrial officer, said: "The situation beggars belief, the workforce are already stressed, demoralised and dismayed. Now to add insult to injury, staff may be expected to pick up additional work.

"Let's be crystal clear here - this dispute has been created, directed and exacerbated at every turn by SQA mismanagement and incompetence of the highest order.

"Unless immediate action is taken to address our members' legitimate concerns, then more days of action will be inevitable."

The SQA says it is “fully committed” to ensuring pupils receive their exam results on time, with “robust contingency plans” in place.

An SQA spokesman said: "We are committed to working in partnership with the Unite union and have made significant progress on the process that is undertaken in a restructure.

"We are also committed to listen to, and address, the important issues that have been raised by its members. We are focussed on relationship building and moving forward, together, into the future.

"SQA has also concluded its voluntary early release scheme. As an organisation, we continue to evolve our products and services to meet the changing needs of our stakeholders and customers, such as the need to make cost efficiencies.

"The scheme has created opportunities for employees to be considered for voluntary early release from the organisation with financial compensation, where this is of mutual benefit to the employee and to SQA."