EIS opens formal ballot for industrial action at Lenzie Academy over serious Health & Safety concerns

Created on: 15 Dec 2025

Following an overwhelming indicative ballot result at Lenzie Academy—where 95% of EIS members voted in favour of industrial action—the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has now opened a statutory ballot for industrial action.

The formal ballot opened last week and will close on Friday, 30 January. If the employer, East Dunbartonshire Council, fails to address the serious health and safety concerns raised by staff, EIS members have indicated a willingness to take strike action, with strike dates to be confirmed following the formal ballot process.

EIS members have repeatedly raised urgent concerns about the safety of the school environment. These include:

  • Fire safety risks identified by the employer’s own risk assessment as posing a “substantial risk to life.”
  • Broken fire doors that remain unrepaired.
  • Lack of meaningful action to resolve these issues by the employer, despite repeated requests from the EIS.

Bora Oktas, EIS Area Officer, said: “The employer has been fully aware of the fire safety risks at Lenzie Academy for months - risks that their own assessment describes as a ‘substantial risk to life.’ Yet, broken fire doors remain unrepaired and staff are saying the situation has not improved.  Strike action is always a last resort, but this is about protecting pupils and staff from unacceptable risks.”

Mr Oktas continued, “Our members have raised these problems repeatedly, yet the response from the Council has been slow and inadequate. Health and safety is not optional; it is a legal and moral obligation. The employer must act now to make the school safe for everyone who works and learns there.”

Mr Oktas concluded: “Our members have shown incredible patience, but their concerns have been ignored. This ballot is about ensuring a safe learning environment for pupils and a safe workplace for staff. The EIS will always support our members when they raise legitimate health and safety concerns. It is unacceptable that staff and pupils are being exposed to such risks. The employer must take immediate steps to resolve these issues and avoid unnecessary disruption.  The employer must act now.”

Notes for Editors:

  • The EIS urges the employer to engage constructively and take urgent remedial action before the ballot concludes. Failure to do so will leave members with no choice but to proceed with industrial action, with dates in February to be confirmed.

  • The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) is the largest teaching union in Scotland, representing over 60,000 members in Nursery, Primary, Special, Secondary and Further and Higher Education. The EIS advocates for the professional interests of teachers and lecturers and promotes high standards in Scottish education.