Curious Carry On
The BBC reports that Scotland's second largest teaching union, the SSTA, has sacked its new general secretary, Sheila Mechan, after only three weeks in the job.
Now as far as I know that has to be a record for THIGMOO (This Great Movement Of Ours) and the curious thing is that the now former boss of SSTA was headhunted for the job - and has been replaced by the person who was previously occupying the role of general secretary on an 'acting' basis.
I suppose it doesn't take a genius to figure out that something strange is going on.
New SSTA general secretary sacked after three weeks in job
The SSTA is the second largest teachers union in Scotland with more than 7,000 members
The general secretary of one of Scotland's largest teachers unions has been sacked, only weeks after being appointed.
Sheila Mechan took up the post at the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association three weeks ago.
A statement from the union confirmed that Ms Mechan had left her post after an "immediate breakdown" in working relationships forced them to act.
Ms Mechan was appointed in March after no other candidate stood against her.
The 55-year-old was born in Glasgow and attended the city's Notre Dame school.
She had previously worked in the publishing industry where she helped launch in-house magazines for Asda and Waitrose before studying for a law degree in 2002.
A spokesman for the SSTA said: "We can confirm that Sheila Mechan's employment as general secretary of the association was terminated today.
"This follows her formal suspension on 19 April, less than two weeks after taking up her position on 7 April.
"This decision is regrettable, but given the immediate breakdown of a significant number of crucial working relationships, the SSTA decided it was in the association's best interests to move quickly to resolve the situation.
"Experienced former deputy secretary Alan McKenzie, who had previously fulfilled the role of acting general secretary on an interim basis, will resume the position whilst the recruitment of a new, permanent general secretary is undertaken."
Ms Mechan said the matter was now in the hands of her lawyers.
She told BBC Scotland: "I was appointed following a nine month search - internal, external and national which involved headhunters for the position of general secretary.
"I was the right person then. I haven't changed in two weeks. That says more about the SSTA than it does about me.
"I just feel sorry for the membership."
The general secretary of one of Scotland's largest teachers unions has been sacked, only weeks after being appointed.
Sheila Mechan took up the post at the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association three weeks ago.
A statement from the union confirmed that Ms Mechan had left her post after an "immediate breakdown" in working relationships forced them to act.
Ms Mechan was appointed in March after no other candidate stood against her.
The 55-year-old was born in Glasgow and attended the city's Notre Dame school.
She had previously worked in the publishing industry where she helped launch in-house magazines for Asda and Waitrose before studying for a law degree in 2002.
A spokesman for the SSTA said: "We can confirm that Sheila Mechan's employment as general secretary of the association was terminated today.
"This follows her formal suspension on 19 April, less than two weeks after taking up her position on 7 April.
"This decision is regrettable, but given the immediate breakdown of a significant number of crucial working relationships, the SSTA decided it was in the association's best interests to move quickly to resolve the situation.
"Experienced former deputy secretary Alan McKenzie, who had previously fulfilled the role of acting general secretary on an interim basis, will resume the position whilst the recruitment of a new, permanent general secretary is undertaken."
Ms Mechan said the matter was now in the hands of her lawyers.
She told BBC Scotland: "I was appointed following a nine month search - internal, external and national which involved headhunters for the position of general secretary.
"I was the right person then. I haven't changed in two weeks. That says more about the SSTA than it does about me.
"I just feel sorry for the membership."
The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) has announced Sheila Mechan as its new general secretary.
The 55-year-old was born in Glasgow and attended the city's Notre Dame school.
She has previously worked in the publishing industry where she helped launch in-house magazines for Asda and Waitrose before studying for a law degree in 2002.
Ms Mechan's appointment was confirmed after no other candidate stood against her.
Acting general secretary Alan McKenzie said "We are thrilled to welcome Sheila Mechan to the SSTA, bringing as she does a huge range of skills necessary for the post.
"We stand on the edge of hugely important development in Scottish education and our members may be assured that the SSTA is in the hands of a highly-skilled general secretary. We wish her well in her endeavours."
