Strike action at Scotland’s exam body has been suspended following a revised pay offer.
Members of Unite, the union behind the action, were due to go out on strike again tomorrow over pay, following a walkout on Thursday of last week.
However, Unite revealed today it had suspended the action following a revised pay offer.
The news will be welcomed by secondary teachers, headteachers and pupils, given the potential impact of the disruption on the appeals process.
This year the SQA has received over 55,000 standard exam grade appeals - almost five times as many as it received in 2019, the last time national external exams were held.
Unite industrial officer Alison MacLean said members would now be balloted on the new offer. She blamed Scottish government and SQA “dithering and procrastinating” for the industrial action, which was the first in the organisation’s history.
She said: “This has caused unnecessary stress and anxiety to the workforce but also to the learners of Scotland, when this dispute could have been resolved months ago.”
An SQA spokesperson said: “Following constructive discussions with both our trade unions and the Scottish government, we are pleased that industrial action has now been suspended while our trade unions ballot their members on the improved pay offer.
“The revised pay offer made today recognises the contribution of our hard-working staff and we hope union members will accept the offer.
“Our job now is to get on with the important work of delivering for learners.”
Tes Scotland understands the new offer consists of an overall average consolidated increase, excluding pay progression, of 5.9 per cent.
