Edinburgh Local Association

Welcome to the Edinburgh Local Association of the EIS

The Edinburgh Local Association telephone number is 07926 946150.   Our email address is edinburghla@eis.org.uk

In order to keep up to date with the latest news we ask that we are kept informed of any changes to your membership or contact information. You can update your details by logging into the My EIS section of the website https://www.eis.org.uk/Account/EISLogin or by emailing us on edinburghla@eis.org.uk

Check out local initiatives, marches, and other important events on our Upcoming Events page. 

Secretary's Update - 22 October 2025

Dear member,

I hope you are well, and had an enjoyable half term.  I also hope the return to work is going as smoothly as it can.  A few quick updates for you.

Getting ballot ready!

It is vital that every member checks the EIS website to make sure that all their details, particularly their home address and place of work, is up to date.  This will help us ensure that everyone who is entitled to vote gets their say.  Remember that anti-trade union laws mean that this has to be a postal vote, and that we have to have a minimum 50% turnout, so every vote really does count. Make sure you have your say on action to tackle our completely out-of-control workload!  We will, in the coming weeks, be organising all-member meetings to go over why this ballot is so important, but if you want one of us from the LA to come to your branch to talk to your school about the issues, get in touch and one of us can do this.  You'll find more info from EIS HQ about all this here.

Scotland Demands Better!  March and rally this Saturday (25th October):

Far too often, lately, we have seen large numbers turning out to support far right causes.  On Saturday, it is our chance to fill the streets of Edinburgh with people making the case for a positive change.  Please do come along to demand that our leaders prioritise jobs, investment and support for the many, not the few.  Whilst you can just turn up on the day, it would be really helpful if we had a bit of an idea of numbers in advance so, if you are planning on coming, click here and scroll down - that will also give you more details about what is happening on the day, and the aims of the march.

Wear Red Day of Action:

Hopefully everyone got the email about the National Day of Action on 5^th November, in support of all our members stuck on temporary contracts, or unable to find regular work at all.  You can read more about this here.  This is a massive issue in Edinburgh, and I really would urge all branches to support this.  Make sure you wear red, make sure you get together as a branch to take photos to post on social media (and also send them in to the office, so we can use them) and you might also want to use this opportunity to have a branch meeting about the ballot, as reducing class contact time would create a large number of additional permanent jobs.  

Deleting accounts after 90 days:

Any CEC account that is inactive for over 90 days will be automatically and permanently deleted.  So, if you know you are going to be away for a while (career break, parental leave etc) it is vital you check that your manager has arranged for your account to be suspended, so that you don't lose everything.  If you/anyone you know in your school is off sick long term, it is really important that the same thing is done.  You can find out how to suspend an account here. 

CEC staff survey:

Everyone should have received an email with the link to the latest CEC staff survey.  I would urge you all to complete this - CEC needs to hear directly from its staff about their experience of working for the council.  You can find the link here.

I'll be in touch again soon with more info, as there is lots going on here in the local office.  In the meantime, though, stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other - including by ensuring we all vote to reduce our workload!

Alison

Secretary's Update - 10 October 2025

Dear EIS Member, 

Half term is finally here!  I just wanted to send a very quick bulletin to wish you all a great holiday and much needed rest.  And, of course, to urge you all to make sure you are ballot-ready for when we come back! 

We are all far more exhausted than we should be at this time of year, and that is because of years of unsustainable workload.  Unless Scottish Government fulfils its own promise to reduce our class contact time, things will only get worse – and it seems clear that both Scottish Government and COSLA only start to take things seriously when we threaten industrial action.  So, PLEASE make sure your contact details on the EIS website are correct – particularly your postal address, as a statutory ballot has to be postal.  If your address is wrong, you will not be able to vote, and your voice will not be heard. 

Go to SU4QE Update October 2025 | EIS to read more about the ballot and how to update your details.

Once again, my best wishes for a good holiday.  Stay safe and well, keep on being kind, and let’s get ready to fight together to finally start to reduce our workload.

Alison

Secretary's Update - 2 October 2025

Dear EIS Member,

I hope you are having a good week.  A few updates for you.

Scotland Demands Better - Saturday 25^th October

It is really important that there is a good turnout for this march and rally.  We need to give a positive message that the people of Scotland are coming together to demand an end to poverty and to build a society that works for all.  It would be great to see lots of school groups and banners there – talk to other members in your branch about whether you will walk as a group.  You can find lots more info about the march here https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest, and I would encourage you to sign up if you are coming, so we know how many flags to bring along. 

Fife LA are organising buses for their members, and anyone who lives in Fife is welcome to join them – details in the same link.  Given the march is in Edinburgh, it is clearly not worth us organising buses, but we will cover travel expenses – just keep your tickets and you will be able to claim back fares.

Probationer Mentors

Anyone who is mentoring a probationer in a school should be getting 1 hour/week to enable them to undertake this vital work.  If that is not happening, you should raise this with CEC's probationer manager, Rosie McColl – if that does not resolve things, contact the LA office and we will support.

BME Education Staff Conference

CEC has asked us to share the following with staff:

We’re delighted to invite colleagues who identify as from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to our first Black and Minority Ethnic Staff Conference of session 2025-26.

When: Monday 20^th October, 9.00 – 10.30am

Where: Tynecastle HS

We are particularly keen to see more of our support and supply staff attending the conference so please share and forward the attached invitation with them.

RSVP by 6^th Oct by filling in this brief MS form. Thank you

 HTs are being asked to promote the event, encourage their BME staff and release them for the morning so they attend.

Supply Teachers

Remember that CEC is holding an information session for all supply teachers on Tuesday.  Details were in the September supply newsletter – you can find a copy here https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/supply and the link to the training session is in the newsletter.

PSLs

A meeting of Edinburgh EIS PSL network will take place on Wednesday 22^nd October at 5pm at the EIS offices at Moray Place. This will be a chance for PSLs to get together and discuss current and long-standing issues facing PSLs across the city.

Light refreshments will be available, and travel/parking expenses will be reimbursed.

Thank you to those of you who have already indicated attendance. If you wish to come along, please indicate so by emailing  edinburghlapresident@eis.org.uk

Secondary Teachers

All secondary schools should have received info about our Any Education Questions - Youth Event that we are running on 24^th October.  It's a chance for senior pupils to ask questions of councillors and Jackie Reid about the education they receive.  Please encourage them to sign up – if your school doesn't have the posters with the QR code on display, get in touch and we can send out more copies and, in the meantime, the link is here: Sign up on Eventbrite.

I hope you have a good weekend, when it finally arrives, and that you are looking forward to a proper break over the half-term, which is getting tantalisingly close.  In the meantime, stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other.  And let's march together on 25^th October, to demand better for ourselves, our pupils and our communities.

Alison

Secretary's Update - 24 September 2025

Dear EIS Member,

I hope you are well.  Quite a few updates for you. 

Updating details on EIS database

A reminder that it is vital that we have up-to-date details for all members - particularly email, home address and where you are currently working.  PLEASE go to www.eis.org.uk and check that everything is correct.  This is even more important than usual, in light of our ongoing campaign around workload and reduced class contact time (see https://www.eis.org.uk/campaigns/WorkLoadBallot for the latest updates).

Supply Teachers

Everyone on Teacher Booker should all have received a copy of CEC's latest newsletter, which includes an invite to a meeting being run by CEC that will run over quite a few issues that are often raised as concerns (how to use Teacher Booker, understanding payslips, etc).  If you haven't received it for any reason, you can find it here, along with other info that might be helpful.  We will, after half term, look at setting up an EIS meeting to discuss matters of concern for supply teachers.

Finishing a Fixed Term Contract

If you are coming to the end of a fixed term contract, and want to continue doing supply, it is vital that you check that you have been put back onto Teacher Booker before the contract ends.  In other words, your BM needs to mark you as a positional leaver, not an organisational leaver.  I really would urge all members to check that this happens, as correcting mistakes afterwards is extremely difficult. 

Learning Rep Newsletter

You'll find the latest newsletter from our learning reps here.  There is also a lot of other useful information on that page, including support for PRD/PU, and contact details for our learning reps.

PACTivism in Practice - Thursday 2^nd October 5pm

More info about this opportunity, which is being run by national EIS, here.  An important chance to explore how we can challenge poverty in our schools and communities.

EIS National Organising Conference - Saturday 4^th October

More info about this here. A great opportunity for us to further build capacity as an active and effective campaigning union.

Special Schools

Whilst all sectors of education are facing huge challenges, we are acutely aware of the particular issues facing colleagues in our special schools - something thrown into sharp relief at a recent meeting of our ASN network (if you want to find out more about this network, and potentially join this important group, email Edinburgh LA Asst Secretary, Tom Britton, at asstsecretaryedinburghla@eis.org.uk).  We are talking to CEC about what actions can be taken to relieve some of the most immediate pressures, and also looking at what longer term and more strategic action is needed.  Over the coming weeks, Tom and our organiser Eilidh Gittus will be visiting special schools to talk to members, and to decide what actions we can take together to fight for improvements.  Look out for invites to these meetings, and do all you can to attend.

Any Education Questions - Youth Event

Secondary reps should, hopefully, have received posters about this event, which we are running on Friday 24^th October, 3:00-4:30pm at Augustine United Church.  The format is based on Any Questions/Question Time, with the panel being CEC councillors, Jackie Reid and (hopefully) an MYSP - but we want the audience to be pupils.  This is their chance to put their questions to the people who run the schools they attend.  Since pupils do need to attend independently (we are not wanting schools to organise groups to attend) it is obviously more suitable for senior students.  If you teach pupils you think would be interested, please encourage them to sign up on Eventbrite here.  If you want more posters for your school, get in touch and we can send them out.

I hope you have a good rest of the week.  Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other.

 Alison

Secretary's Update - 4 September 2025

Dear EIS Member,

I hope you are well, and looking forward to a rapidly approaching and much needed weekend.  A few updates for you.

Keeping Details Up-to-Date

I’ve already asked that all members check that their details on the EIS database are correct (remember – go to www.eis.org.uk and log into the member area).  However, it is also vital that you periodically check that CEC, GTCS, and others also have up-to-date info.  It is each individual person’s responsibility to do this – and, if GTCS does not have correct details, then you can end up losing your registration if there is a problem with paying fees, uploading PU records, etc.  We’ve had a few instances lately where out of date info has caused real difficulties for members.  It’s also well worth checking MyHR for things like: whether you on the correct salary point; your absences recorded correctly; emergency contact details. 

Joining the Supply List

I’ve had a few queries about this.  If you are currently employed by CEC you can join the supply list directly if your HT recommends you.  Anyone who is coming to the end of a fixed term contract should ask about this.  Remember that if you are part time at a school, and wish to do supply in a different school, you should also join the supply list - again, HTs can recommend you, and the process is pretty straightforward. (Note: if you are doing occasional additional hours in the same school, my understanding is that can be processed internally; however, if it is a regular arrangement, then it might require a contract variation. If you are in doubt, contact me individually for advice.) 

Anyone who is not in current employment with CEC and wants to join the list will need to apply when CEC posts supply ads – these are posted at different times, and you will need to keep an eye on My Job Scotland.

Supreme Court Judgement

The implications of April’s Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland vs The Scottish Government are obviously causing huge concerns for staff, pupils, parents, and many others.  We are in detailed, ongoing discussions with CEC, EIS HQ, and others about how we can best support members.  For an overview of some elements of the discussions, some of you might want to read the deputations made by Edinburgh EIS and other groups to Tuesday’s Education, Children and Families committee, accessible here.  We will be making more detailed representations to CEC in the coming weeks as we get further info about some of the legal complexities arising from the judgement.  In the meantime, though, if any member wants to reach out for additional support because of concerns they may have, please do get in touch and we will do our best to help.

STUC Supported Demo on Saturday 6th – Stop Arming Israel

Go to https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest to see details of a Stop the War demo happening in Edinburgh this Saturday – this demo is supported by the STUC and ETUC, along with other organisations.

Lots of other things also happening (discussions around mobile phones, ICT, Behaviours of Concern, etc.) so I will be in touch again soon with more info.  For now, though, I hope the rest of your week goes well, and you have a good weekend (maybe see some of you at the march on Saturday!) 

Stay safe and well, and let’s keep on being kind to each other.

Alison

Secretary's Update - 1 September 2025

Dear EIS Member,

Thank you to every single member who voted in the consultative ballot!  Hopefully you are all aware of the result, which was communicated out to members from HQ on Friday, and you can find more information here.  This ballot has already resulted in both Scottish Government and COSLA finally appearing to take this matter seriously after years of inaction and unmet deadlines.  Be assured that we will continue to pressure them to deliver on this commitment, and more information will be sent out to members soon.

I also want to thank all the members of Edinburgh LA's executive committee who met on Saturday to look at how we can continue to build capacity in our branches.  That so many people were willing to give up their time to discuss how to continue to build our union's strength – and, indeed, the fact that all the seats on our executive are now taken – is testimony to how we are developing and growing as an activist and campaigning union.  In the coming weeks, we will be taking the ideas developed on Saturday and looking to roll them out.  In the meantime, if you would like to become more involved, visit our Get Involved page, or get in touch with the office and we can talk through options.  We're particularly keen to come out to meet members in schools (and this could include cluster meetings); so, if you think you would be interested in this, email the office and we'll set something up.

Please Update Your Details!

One thing that became clear during the consultative ballot is that many members have not updated their details.  In particular, what school they are at and current home addresses.  Can you PLEASE take a moment to log into the member area at www.eis.org.uk and check everything is correct.  If you can't log in for any reason, get in touch with membership@eis.org.uk and they should be able to help.

HT/DHT Network

All members of our HT/DHT network should have had an email about a number of matters, including a meeting tomorrow evening (Tuesday 2nd).  If you didn't receive the email, please email Marni at edinburghla@eis.org.uk.  If you are intending to come to the meeting (virtual or in person) make sure you let Marni know in advance so she can send you the link or put your name for the sign-in board.

Defend the Right to Protest – ETUC Meeting Tuesday 2^nd September

See our Latest Events page for a meeting happening tomorrow evening, organised by ETUC.

Scotland Demands Better - National March Rally 25^th October

The EIS is one of many national bodies supporting this important initiative Scotland Demands Better.  We're keen to get a good turnout.  Whilst you obviously can just turn up on the day, it would be really helpful to have an idea of numbers in advance, if only so I know how many flags to bring...  So, if you think you might be able to come along, please Sign Up Here.

Have a good week.  I'll be in touch again soon with more info.  In the meantime, though, thanks once again to everyone who supported the union, and fellow teachers, by voting in the ballot.

Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other. 

Alison

Secretary's Update - 26 August 2025

Dear member

A very important plea to all of you....

Consultative Ballot - Closes on Thursday

This is a final plea to those members who have not yet voted in our consultative ballot to do so before Thursday.  We are a UNION, and voting in ballots is one of the most important ways we work together to show solidarity.  Unless we support each other, we cannot function effectively.  So, if you have not yet done so, please vote now.  If you have voted, please try and encourage fellow members to take part.  There are lots of reasons why this ballot matters, but three I think are important are:

·                     This would create more permanent jobs - something that is desperately needed in the primary sector.  And I would really hope that members in other sectors would vote as an act of solidarity.

·                     Reducing class contact time by 1.5 hours will not fix the workload crisis, but it is a start - and it is a promise the Scottish Government made in its last manifesto.  We should be holding them to account for failing to deliver on their own commitments.

·                     If we have more time for planning and preparation for each class we have (which is what this would give us) it would go a small way towards helping us with differentiation and meeting learner needs - again, it is not a fix, but it is a start.

Separately:

ETUC meeting - Defend the Right to Protest

Some members may be interested in this meeting https://www.eis.org.uk/edinburgh/latest, being organised by the Edinburgh Trades Council.

Getting onto the supply register

We have been contacted by a number of members having issues around this, and we have raised the matter with CEC.  Hopefully, everyone is now registered on Teacher Booker (if not, do get back in touch with me - edinburghla@eis.org.uk) and we are talking to Edinburgh about how to make it work better in future.  As many of you will know, we have also been doing a lot of work nationally in trying to address some of the issues facing supply colleagues, and I hope that, in the not too distant future, we will be able to have a meeting to discuss.  In the meantime, I'd urge all supply members to make sure they have voted in the ballot, as creating more permanent posts would help relieve a lot of the pressures on supply.

HT/DHT network meeting

All HTs/DHTs who have signed up to our network should have had an email about a forthcoming meeting.  If you are a HT/DHT and have not received it, please email the office and we can forward.

I'll finish as I began - PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE VOTED.  DEADLINE IS THURSDAY!!!

Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind to each other (and voting is one way of doing that 🙂)

Alison

Secretary's Update - 13 August 2025

Dear EIS Member,

Welcome back!  

I hope you had a great summer.  I also hope the first two INSET days were productive, and that all goes well when pupils return...  I'll try and keep this bulletin fairly brief, as many of the things that I know are ongoing issues of concern to members (reporting Behaviours of Concern, workload, etc.) are being discussed with CEC now, and I'll be sending out updates about all of those soon.   

Check Your Contact Details

Please ensure your contact details are up to date. This is particularly important if you have moved schools/changed role.  Go to www.eis.org.uk and log into the member area to check.  I'd also strongly urge you to log into MyHR and check that all the info CEC holds on you is correct – don't forget to check things like your FTE, salary placement, job title, contact details, etc.

Vote in the Consultative Ballot

A huge thanks to the many members who have already done so – but we do still have a significant proportion of members who have not yet voted.  We are a UNION and that means showing solidarity – voting in ballots is one of the most important ways of showing our united strength.  A strong turnout is also vital both to help in the fight against excessive workload, and to tackle the problem of precarious working and the huge numbers of teachers who can't get permanent contracts.

Additional Salary Points

Once you have successfully completed your probationary year you may, if you have certain types of relevant experience, be eligible to claim additional salary points.  Go to This Link for info about what counts and how to put in an application (it's an Orb link, so will need to do this from a CEC computer), and PLEASE note the need to provide evidence of your claim.  I would also urge those who have been doing supply/fixed term contracts to check if they done the required number of weeks to get an additional salary point for teaching experience (go to 1.20 on the SNCT handbook for an explanation of what counts) and, if you meet the criteria, use the same form.  Those on permanent contracts should find that the teaching experience uplift is applied automatically – but do check by going onto MyHR.

Forthcoming Events of Interest

Go to our Upcoming Events page for info about an event being organised by Stand Up to Racism this Saturday in Falkirk.  

Please put a note in your calendar for Saturday 25^th October, when a huge number of different groups are coming together to say "Scotland Demands Better" – see https://www.scotland-demands-better.com/ for more info.

Once again, good luck for when the teaching starts!  Look out for further updates, and PLEASE VOTE!

Stay safe and well, and let's keep on being kind.

Alison

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