Created on: 03 Sep 2025
The National EIS Organising Conference on Saturday 4th October is an opportunity for EIS reps and activists to come together and attend workshops to build their organising skills as well as hearing national keynote speakers.
Trade union organising refers to the process by which we build power in the workplace by engaging members, nurturing activists to build the capacity to deliver collective action to improve the working lives of members. Campaigning is a key part or organising, and this conference builds on our ongoing "Stand Up for Quality Education" campaign as well as fighting the rise of the far right.
This conference is aimed at school reps and LA office-bearers, as well as other EIS activists who engage with members. We will pay travel costs to attend the conference, and for those who travel far, we will provide a night’s accommodation.
We have three key note speakers:
We will be having three workshop sessions throughout the day.
Building active member participation in the workplace is essential for tackling issues and strengthening our union. This workshop will provide you with practical tools to engage more members in branch-based activities, fostering a robust and democratic trade union at every level. We'll explore strategies for identifying and developing new leaders, expanding the core of union activity within your school.
Organising conversations are structured, one-on-one discussions designed to build relationships, strengthen workplace branches, and inspire members to act. Effective negotiations at the school level are crucial for shifting power in favour of our members. This practical, skills-based workshop will boost your confidence in both core organising and negotiation techniques, focusing on communication strategies that help move people towards a shared position.
There is a perception that H&S is ‘trips and slips’ in school labs or workshops but H&S is an issue for all members, and covers their physical and mental wellbeing. For example, effective support, workload management, leadership culture, and unreasonable expectations can all lead to members sustaining harm. Empowering members to act collectively to identify and address these issues can make members’ work safer and more sustainable.
From individual casework to collective strike action, learn how to build winning trade disputes within the EIS. This session will cover the tools and processes for collectivising around workplace issues and winning member-led campaigns. We'll cover how to escalate issues, from collective grievances to formal disputes, and the mechanics of mobilising every member for effective action.
Led by EIS Organisers and a member who has run a successful campaign at school level or local campaign using anything above around how to take an issue locally and run a campaign on it which includes developing a campaign plan - power structure analysis, identifying key stakeholders, campaigning tools - petitions etc.
We hear from a Political speaker to explain how to motivate your politicians to sit up and take notice, to push the right pressure points to instigate political reaction and action in support. How do we make your local politicians work for you and your local campaign.
From dwindling public engagement in elections and the rise of anti-establishment movements like Reform, to governments pursuing unpopular policies, it's clear our democracy faces challenges. This session will explore the multiple challenges facing democracy today, both nationally and locally in Scotland. We'll explore the roots of disengagement, the appeal of populist narratives, and the urgent need to reclaim our collective power for workers.
The rise of the far-right poses a serious threat to our communities and our movement. This interactive workshop will equip you with the tools and confidence to confront far-right narratives head-on. We'll explore the tactics used by these organisations and discuss practical strategies for members to challenge their arguments in workplaces and communities. This isn't just about understanding the threat; it's about building a robust, confident workers' movement capable of defending our values and fostering solidarity in the months to come.