Staff at Scotland’s national exams and qualifications body have accepted an improved wage offer, union bosses have said.
The Unite union said workers at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) “overwhelmingly” agreed the new pay deal, put to them after they took strike action for the first time in the organisation’s history.
SQA staff earning up to £30,000 a year will receive a pay increase of a minimum of £1,700, according to Unite, with the union adding that this represented a rise of 8.9 per cent for some.
Meanwhile, those earning more than £30,000 will receive a 5.9 per cent increase in wages, the union said.
This deal is a “significant improvement” on the one originally offered to workers, according to the union. It comes after SQA staff walked out on strike earlier this month.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said that SQA staff “bravely took strike action for the first time in the organisation’s history”.
She added: “The action directly led to an improved wage offer, which has now been accepted by our members.
“It’s a deal that will help them keep up with the cost of living and our members should be applauded for standing up for better jobs, pay and conditions at the SQA.”
However, Unite said it still has “serious concerns” over Scottish government plans to replace the SQA, with the union claiming there has been a lack of assurances over job roles, locations, and pay and conditions for SQA workers in any replacement organisation.
Unite industrial officer Alison MacLean said: “We welcome the new pay deal at the SQA as it represents a significant improvement from the starting position in the negotiations.
“The deal only came about through the strike action our members took and the threat that more days would follow.”
She added: “We remain deeply concerned about education reform in Scotland, and the implications for the workforce at the SQA, because these issues remain unresolved.”
An SQA spokesperson said: “We welcome the result of our trade union ballots on the recent pay offer. It is a good outcome for learners and a fair deal for our hardworking staff.”
