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Message from the General Secretary
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Colleagues
Since there has been no improved offer from the Scottish Government and COSLA than the 5% offered in August and rejected overwhelmingly in our September ballot; and then the 5% or worse offered and rejected in November, this week has seen the beginning of our 16-day programme of rolling strike action across all 32 local authorities.
In every EIS Local Association that has taken action so far, we have seen members strike-strong on picket lines, at local rallies and across social media, helping to keep the EIS campaign for fair pay for teachers visible and high on the political agenda.
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Whilst we don't yet have a resolution to the dispute, the strike action that you have been taking and that we have announced for the period from 28th February until 21st April, is succeeding in bringing the Scottish Government and COSLA to the table. Another meeting of the SNCT Extended Joint Chairs - the third since returning from the winter break- is taking place today (Friday 20th January).
The Teachers’ Side of the SNCT has been told that there will be no new offer brought to the meeting but, nonetheless, we will be in attendance so that we can continue to make the case for a settlement that is fair and affordable to Scotland’s teachers, and which is based on the accurate details of teacher pay since 2008 (i.e. 20-25% real terms pay erosion since then) and on the full picture of pay comparisons with teachers in the wider UK and in the OECD (experienced teachers being paid less than counterparts in England and at least 13 other OECD countries). We will continue to counter the false claims being made in this regard by the Scottish Government, and even the First Minister herself, in the media and within the Scottish Parliament.
For now, thank you for all that you are doing in support of the Pay Attention Campaign for fair pay for all of Scotland's teachers. We must continue to keep our eyes on the prize, and keep faith in the rightness of our cause and solidarity with one another and with all workers campaigning for fair pay.
In solidarity
Andrea Bradley, General Secretary
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The EIS has announced 22 additional days of strike action in an escalation of the dispute over teachers’ pay.
This is in addition to the 16-day programme of rolling strike action currently taking place.
The EIS Executive Committee agreed a programme of additional strike action that will include two days of national strike action in all schools and sectors on 28 February and 1 March, followed by a rolling programme of strikes for 20 days between 13 March and 21 April.
Over the rolling strike period, each local authority area will be impacted by three consecutive days of strike action, with one day of strike action in all schools bookended on either side by one-day strikes in primary and secondary schools. A programme of strike dates will be announced shortly.
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Picketing is a key part of strike action and an effective way to build morale, confidence and camaraderie.
As we enter a more sustained period of strike action, it is important that picket lines remain strong as a visible demonstration of our commitment to the campaign and our objective of achieving a 10% pay increase for teachers.
We have put together some ideas about how schools and Local Associations can make picketing fun and sustain the engagement of members at this critical time.
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Once again, we are asking for the support of EIS members in our campaigning efforts - not only on pay - but on other critical issues such as workload, ASN support and teacher wellbeing. We are keen to gather your views on the range of issues once more.
This latest member survey also includes a focus on the cost-of-living impacts, both for you as teachers and on young people.
The survey can be accessed here, takes around 10 minutes to complete and closes on 31st January
We would be extremely grateful if you would share your views with us and, in turn, we will share them with the key decision-makers in Scottish Education as part of our lobbying and campaigning efforts. Thank you!
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Council Elections 2023/24
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The EIS Council is the principal executive committee of the EIS. It meets around five times a year, usually in Edinburgh, and also at the AGM.
Nomination forms for all members interested in standing for election to Council for 2023/24 will be available from the MyEIS section of the EIS website.
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ULA Strike Action – The Difference is Striking
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Following the positive result in the recent statutory ballot on the 2022/23 pay round, the EIS-ULA Executive and EIS Executive have met and agreed to call strike action in line with the mandate received, at the following institutions:
- Edinburgh Napier - 25th January 2023
- University of the West of Scotland - 27th January 2023
Glasgow Caledonian came out on strike on 16th January 2023.
The strike action will take the form of one day at each of the institutions above. The formal notice of intention to strike has been issued in line with the legal requirements to these employers. The strike days have been chosen to complement the action being taken by the EIS in each of the relevant Local Authorities on those dates.
Additionally all three institutions will take one day's strike action on Wednesday 1st February.
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SRUC – Consultative Ballot
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The EIS SRUC Executive Committee has been negotiating with SRUC on the basis of the 2022-23 pay round over the past few months.
An offer has been received in response to the pay claim, on which SRUC members will be balloted this week, closing on Friday 3rd February (noon).
Please look out for your ballot papers in your emails. Should you not receive them by the end of this week please contact Sleal@eis.org.uk
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Organising a branch meeting is a great way to bring EIS members together where they can discuss the pay campaign and other issues. Please contact your LA Secretary or your EIS Organiser if you would like an Organiser them to attend your meeting.
If you are a member in a school without an EIS Rep we want to ensure you are able to participate as much as possible. We want to hear your voice, get your views and assist you to play your part in winning our pay dispute. Our Organisers and LA Secretaries are very keen to meet you and organise school meetings for you.
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Interested in becoming an EIS Rep?
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If you are a member who has an interest in becoming a Rep, wants to learn more about becoming a Rep, or have taken over as a new Rep – we run accredited Reps training courses with the TUC for activists.
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Survey of Home Economic Teachers
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Following a resolution passed at the 2022 EIS AGM, we are keen to hear from Home Economic teachers about their experience of auxiliary provision at local authority and school level.
We are investigating the extent to which teachers undertake administrative and non-teaching duties which are generally undertaken by auxiliary staff, and the impact on workload, teaching and learning when no auxiliary provision is available.
The survey was emailed to members before Christmas and should take no longer than five minutes to complete.
Please contact John Harris if you have not received the survey.
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A webinar will take place on Wednesday 22nd February at 4:30pm aimed at teachers in their first five years of teaching and preparing for their first "Professional Update."
Speakers will include:
- Victoria Smith, Director of Education, Registration and Professional Learning at the GTCS
- Susan Quinn, EIS Education Convenor, and
- EIS Organiser to discuss how members can contribute to collective EIS activity.
This event is open to all teachers across Scotland within their first five years of teaching. Registration details will be shared soon – hold the date! Early registration via Jennifer Cook.
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Professional Learning Courses, Webinars and Resources
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A wide range of online courses being delivered through January and February are now available to book. Topics include:
- Leadership courses for all members, including specialist courses welcoming supply and peripatetic teachers.
- Creative topics, including Exploring Wellbeing Through Music, and Creative Writing Workshops.
- Supporting an Equal School Environment for Disabled Workers and Leadership Toward Management for BAME Educators.
- Rights Based Approaches to Teaching and Learning, and Understanding Racial Trauma in Children and Young People.
Please visit the EIS Professional Learning Courses & Seminars page for more information.
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Stand up to Racism Scotland Demonstration
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RESIST RACISM! - Sat 18th March 2023 (Assemble Glasgow city centre at 11am)
Save the date for this demonstration on Saturday the 18th of March 2023, as part of co-ordinated international protests around UN Anti-Racism Day. Come along, bring your banners and flags, and help the EIS to be visible in its stand against racism.
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