SQA exams body strike action suspended following new pay offer

Strike action has been suspended by workers at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) following a new pay offer.

Officials from Unite the Union had previously announced industrial action on September 15 and 16, as well as six dates in late September and early October.

If the strike action had gone ahead it is estimated that 55,000 exam appeals would have been affected.

Unite said it “welcomed” the revised pay offer and announced its members would take party in a consultative ballot.

Alison MacLean, Unite’s industrial officer, said: “We welcome the revised pay offer from the SQA which is in the process of going out to our members in a consultative ballot. However, our members should never have been put in this situation in the first place.

“The dispute has escalated to the point of strike action taking place for the first time in the organisation’s history due to the dithering and procrastinating by both the Scottish Government and SQA.

“This has caused unnecessary stress and anxiety to the workforce but also the learners of Scotland when this dispute could have been resolved months ago.”

A spokesperson for SQA said: “Following constructive discussions with both our trade unions and the Scottish Government, we are pleased that industrial action has now been suspended whilst 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.”