Staff at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) could go on strike before the agency is scrapped, potentially causing disruption to this year’s exams.

The SQA is due to be replaced as part of plans to reform the education system in Scotland, but the Unite branch says staff have not been consulted about their future.

Exams are due to go ahead as normal this year as the government considers overhauling the system.

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The Herald reported that staff were concerned talks about the replacement for the SQA could go on for years, leaving staff in limbo.

The Unite branch at the SQA is due to hold a consultative ballot on strike action.

Alison MacLean, Unite industrial officer, told the newspaper: “The impact of industrial action?

“Absolutely, yes, there is an impact on the exam diet, there is an impact on the ability to undertake this reform.

“The biggest issue for the public if industrial action takes place is a threat to future exam diets as well as the reform of national qualifications being impacted and/or delayed.”

She added: “They are asking staff under threat of redundancy to carry on with a smile on their face.

“It is as if they’re locking them in a cupboard and saying: ‘We want you to do this work for us, but we can’t guarantee you will have job security.’

“It is a political decision of Scottish government and our members are being used as a political pawn and football in all of it.”

A Unite spokesperson added: “Unite’s members are furious at the current situation they are facing after several tumultuous years working at the SQA.

“Confidence in the chief executive and the entire SQA executive management team is at an all-time low.”

Education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has said that work to reform Scotland’s exams will begin in the new year.

Exams themselves will not be scrapped but a group led by Professor Louise Hayward of Glasgow University will advise ministers on a new system.

Commenting on SQA staff balloting for strike action, Scottish Labour’s education spokesperson, Michael Marra, called on the government to “act immediately to prevent yet another year of exams chaos”.

He said: “The SQA is being scrapped by the SNP because of the disastrous policies cooked up between the government and the leadership of the organisation.

“Staff in the SQA warned their failed leaders of the consequences of awarding grades by algorithm but they were ignored and now are worried for their own job security.”

An SQA spokesperson said: “SQA management has continually pressed the Scottish government for commitments on job security for staff since it announced in June that SQA is to be replaced.

“We understand the Scottish government is actively considering the issue.

“Any threat of industrial action is disappointing and not in the interests of learners.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We appreciate the announcement to replace SQA has caused uncertainty for staff and we are committed to ensuring that employment rights are protected.

“The matters raised by staff and unions are being carefully considered and we will continue to engage and consult with them to try to address concerns.”