EIS HQ has learned that a Motion in the name of Neil Findlay MSP on the issue of increases to pension contributions will be debated at Tuesday's meeting of the Scottish Parliament's Education Committee.
This Motion will call for the Scottish Government to halt the imposition of the planned 1.2% increase in teachers' and lecturers' pension contributions. The EIS is lobbying in support of this Motion.
It is essential that we gain maximum publicity on this issue, and that as many members as possible lobby the Members of Holyrood's Education Committee by email in advance of the debate.
Please make every effort to lobby the Members of the Committee on this important issue by email before Tuesday 26 March. Please also make every effort to encourage members in your area / establishment to lobby the Committee members by email.
Email addresses for all Members of Holyrood's Education Committee are listed below, and a model email which members may wish to adapt for sending to Committee Members is also outlined below:
Clare.Adamson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Colin.Beattie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Elizabeth.Smith.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
George.Adam.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Joan.McAlpine.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Liam.McArthur.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Neil.Bibby.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Neil.Findlay.msp@scottish.parliament.uk (Deputy Convener - Mover of the Motion)
Stewart.Maxwell.msp@scottish.parliament.uk (Convener)
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Model lobby email:
To Members of the Scottish Parliament Education Committee
Dear Committee Member (or Insert Name)
I am a Member of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and am contacting you to urge you to support Tuesday's Education Motion in the name of Neil Findlay which calls on the Scottish Government to halt its planned 1.2% increase in teachers' and lecturers' pension contributions.
This increase will bring the average pension contribution deducted from teachers' and lecturers' salaries to almost 9%. This latest increase in pensions deductions comes in an environment of several years of real-terms pay cuts for teaching staff. The increase is also higher than the capped maximum public sector pay offer of 1% for this year so will, in effect, cut pay still further in the year ahead.
I believe that it is unacceptable for the Scottish Government - which has repeatedly stated its opposition to the UK Government's austerity drive and attacks on public sector pay, conditions and pensions - to simply replicate Westminster's damaging teacher tax in Scotland. I urge you to show your support for Scotland's education service and the teachers and lecturers who deliver it by backing the Motion to halt this unwarranted pensions contribution increase.
Yours sincerely,
(Insert Name)
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Thank you in advance for your support.
