The SNAT engages in negotiations for improved conditions of service for teachers (members). This includes negotiations for:
1. Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
COLA refers to salary adjustments made to help teachers cope with rising living costs such as food, transport, housing, and utilities. SNAT negotiates COLA to ensure that teachers’ salaries maintain their purchasing power and are not eroded by inflation.
2. Salary Review
Salary review involves the periodic assessment and adjustment of teachers’ salaries to reflect experience, qualifications, performance, and economic conditions. SNAT advocates for fair and competitive salaries that recognize teachers’ professional contribution.
3. Allowances and Rates of Pay
This includes negotiations on additional payments such as housing, transport, rural hardship, overtime, and responsibility allowances. SNAT ensures that rates of pay are fair, standardized, and commensurate with teachers’ duties and locations.
4. Fringe Benefits
Fringe benefits are non-salary benefits provided to teachers, such as housing support, medical aid, pension schemes, and transport assistance. SNAT works to improve and expand these benefits to enhance teachers’ welfare.
5. Better Teaching Conditions
SNAT negotiates for improved classroom environments, adequate teaching materials, manageable class sizes, and proper infrastructure. Good teaching conditions support effective learning and reduce teacher stress and burnout.
6. Hours of Work
This refers to the regulation of teachers’ working hours, including teaching time, preparation, extracurricular duties, and overtime. SNAT ensures that workloads are reasonable and that additional duties are properly compensated.
7. Sick Leave and Sick Pay
SNAT advocates for fair sick leave policies that allow teachers to recover from illness without financial hardship. This includes paid sick leave and clear procedures for medical certification.
8. Uniforms and Protective Clothing
This involves the provision or allowance for appropriate uniforms and protective clothing, especially for teachers in practical, technical, or hazardous environments. SNAT ensures teachers’ safety and professional appearance are supported.
9. Sickness Benefits or Medical Schemes
SNAT negotiates access to reliable medical schemes or sickness benefits to cover healthcare costs for teachers and, where possible, their dependents. This promotes health security and peace of mind.
10. Training
Training includes professional development, workshops, refresher courses, and further studies. SNAT promotes continuous training to improve teaching quality, career progression, and adaptability to curriculum changes.
11. Safety Measures
SNAT advocates for safe working environments, including secure school premises, emergency preparedness, health and safety equipment, and protection against harassment or violence in schools.
12. Principles of Engagement and Termination of Services
This covers fair rules and procedures for employment, including recruitment, probation, transfers, promotions, redundancy, housing, and termination of service. SNAT ensures transparency, fairness, and due process in all employment matters.
13. Leave and Leave Pay (Including Public Holidays)
SNAT negotiates for adequate leave entitlements such as annual leave, maternity/paternity leave, compassionate leave, and public holidays, ensuring teachers receive full pay and sufficient rest periods.