Created on: 13 May 2019
Dear Member,
Ratification of the National Working Practices Agreement
On 3rd May 2019, the EIS-FELA Executive Committee met to consider the terms of the National Working Practices Agreement (‘NWPA’). The agreement of national terms and conditions for Scottish lecturers has been a long-term policy objective of EIS-FELA and this document concludes a workstream which has been in progress for a number of years as a result of the return to national collective bargaining. The NWPA is an "agreed output" of the NJNC and is subject to ratification by both sides.
The FELA Executive decided that given the significance of the NWPA, it would seek members’ mandate to ratify the national set of terms and conditions of employment contained in the NWPA.
A consultative ballot is therefore opening today, Monday, 13th May to seek members’ views as to whether to ratify the NWPA. A copy of the document was sent to all members on Friday, 10th May to allow time for consideration of its terms and can also be viewed here.
Branch meetings will be being held over the period of the ballot to allow for meaningful dialogue on the impact of the NWPA at local level. The national negotiators have indicated that they would be happy to engage in such meetings to assist discussion and meaningful engagement with this important document.
Further information about the terms of the Agreement will be available tomorrow in the Frequently Asked Questions (‘FAQs’) section of the website.
The consultative ballot will ask members one question:
‘Do you wish to ratify the National Working Practices Agreement?’
Members will be asked to choose one of two answers - ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
The EIS-FELA Executive believes the terms of the NWPA are the best which could have been achieved through negotiation and represent improvements for a large part of the sector. Your Executive Committee is therefore recommending that members vote ‘Yes’, in favour of ratification.
Members will receive details on how to vote by a separate email today, and the ballot will close on Monday, 27th May 2019. This will be an electronic ballot and members should therefore check their relevant email account to ensure that they have received the appropriate information on how to vote. If you have not received an email in this regard by Tuesday, 14th May, then please contact EIS Headquarters 0131 225 6244 or membership@eis.org.uk.
Please be advised that this is an internal consultative ballot for the EIS-FELA Executive Committee to ascertain the views of members and is not a statutory ballot for industrial action.
Members should be aware that this ballot is distinct from the pay dispute and does not impact on our industrial action strategy.
Kind Regards,
Anne.