SQA exam staff begin industrial action over pay dispute

Staff at Scotland's national exam body have begun work to rule action over a pay dispute.

About 400 workers at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) will not carry out overtime, work weekends or accrue time off in lieu from 16 February to 10 May.

Staff represented by Unite will also stage two 24-hour strikes on 23 and 29 February.

An SQA spokesperson said plans were in place to avoid disruption to learners.

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Unite has previously warned that the action would disrupt the preparation for the marking of coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses.

The union said the body's pay offer for 2023 and 2024 amounted to a "real-terms pay cut" in the face of inflation.

It said it equated to a 5.75% increase in 2023 and 3.15% in 2024.

But the SQA said it was actually an average rise of 7.43% and 5.19% in the two years respectively, including pay progression.

The exam body described it as "the best offer possible".

It added: "We made an increased pay offer that fairly recognises the valuable work of our SQA colleagues. It represents a total average increase of 7.43% in year one and a further total average rise of 5.19% in year two, including pay progression."

Brutal cut

The union said 80% of members working for the SQA voted, with 72% supporting industrial action during a ballot.

Its general secretary, Sharon Graham, previously described the pay cut as "brutal".

The Scottish government said it had urged the two sides to return to negotiations to avoid potential disruption for students.

They said: "While this is a matter for SQA as the employer, the Scottish government remains in close contact with them and has strongly encouraged resolution talks to resume.

"We have received further reassurances from SQA that learners will not experience disruption to their exams, coursework or grades."