Stand Up for Quality Education: Statutory (Postal) Ballot on Workload
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The Scottish Government and COSLA have not made any meaningful progress towards reducing teacher workload by delivering on the commitment of a maximum of 21 hours of weekly class contact.
This has required that the EIS escalate the workload dispute. On 10th October the EIS issued notices to all 32 local authorities of a statutory ballot in pursuit of the SNCT Workload Dispute on 21 hours.
By law, any industrial action must be supported by members in a “statutory” ballot carried out by an independent company (the “scrutineers”) via a postal ballot. The statutory ballot will open on the 12th November.
We are getting everything ready for the ballot opening.
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National Day of Action in Support of Teachers on Temporary Contracts - 5th November
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On the 5th November 2025 we urge all members to wear an item of red clothing to show their support for the thousands of teachers on temporary contracts who are desperately seeking permanency.
Many people were encouraged by government to go into teaching, but have found that getting a permanent post is virtually impossible and therefore they have had to rely on temporary contracts - short-term supply and fixed-term temporary work. Only 25% of 2023-24 probationers found full-time permanent work at the end of their probation.
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One way to improve precarity for teachers who cannot find permanent teaching work is to create more teaching jobs.
This is one of the reasons we are campaigning to reduce teachers’ weekly class contact to 20 hours per week and class sizes to 20; the realisation of these aspirations will require the creation of more teaching jobs.
The Scottish Government's commitment to reduce class contact time from 22.5 hours to 21 hours per week would be a huge step forward in mitigating the current precarity of contracts.
We are campaigning hard to pressure the Scottish Government and COSLA to deliver the 21 hours of weekly class contact in order to help all teachers – including those on precarious contracts.
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Fighting the Influence of the Far Right - Members' Briefing
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The EIS has long-standing anti-racist, anti-fascist policy and will continue to play an active role in tackling far-right politics when it presents itself in our places of learning and wider communities.
The Members' Briefing is designed to help members understand what is meant by the far-right, how it operates, the myths and mis-information it relies on, and its context to teachers in the EIS. It is part of the EIS strategy to oppose the influence of the far-right.
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The EIS is updating its password policy to strengthen security and protect the integrity of our systems. Cyber security threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and stronger passwords are one of the most effective defences to mitigate this risk.
Members will be asked to update their passwords to meet stronger security standards. Over the coming month you will be required to change your password at your next login.
Members who experience difficulties changing their password should contact the Membership Department at membership@eis.org.uk.
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Our Voices in Union - EIS Equality and Leadership Weekend School 2026
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30 January (half-day), 1 February, 2 February (half-day)
The EIS is now delighted to open registration to Our Voices in Union Weekend School 2026, a residential programme which aims to grow the leadership and improve the representation of BAME, LGBT, disabled, neurodivergent and young members within their own workplaces, and within the Union.
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Disabled Members' Network
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Our Disabled Members' Network is a network space for all members who identify as disabled, and for members who would be entitled to reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act (2010). The Network is open to, among others, Autistic members, members with long-term hearing impairments, members who experience ill mental health, and those with long-term illness that affects their everyday lives.
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The next meeting will include a discussion about the accessibility of EIS structures - and the findings of our which is open until November 3rd.
It will take place on Wednesday 5th November 2025, from 16:30-18:00, online, via Teams.
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The EIS’s anti-poverty professional learning- PACT- is framed around three key sessions exploring the nature, causes and consequences of poverty in Scotland, and the steps that teachers can take alongside their colleagues to mitigate the impact of poverty.
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It is important that all new PACT trainers have completed these modules before facilitating learning sessions themselves these modules also include facilitation practice.
The next set of training days will be held across November and December 2025, as well as next year at EIS HQ, EIS Glasgow Area Office and Online via Microsoft Teams.
Dates will be confirmed as soon as possible and individuals can sign up via the EIS website.
For more information, please contact John Harris (jharris@eis.org.uk) in the Education and Equality Department.
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LAST CALL - Scotland Demands Better March and Rally - 25 October 2025
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The Scotland Demands Better campaign aims to persuade politicians to make the changes we need for a society where every household can thrive and prosper. The EIS is a supporter of the campaign as it aligns with our policy of standing up for quality education and increased public investment.
The EIS is supporting the rally and hopes as many members as possible attend; we are assembling outside the Scottish Parliament between 10.00 and 10.30am, with the march off to the rally at the Meadows at 11.00am.
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Stephen Stewart and Murray McLeod, EIS Pensions and Payroll Specialists, will be holding meetings via Microsoft Teams on the following dates:
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These sessions all cover the same topics so please only register for one of the sessions.
Any enquiry relating to your pension can be sent to pensions@eis.org.uk
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2025 Remedy Update: The SPPA have issued an update on the 9th October to retired teacher members that are yet to receive their 2015 Remedy Remediable Service Statement (RSS). If you are unfamiliar with the 2015 Remedy, you can learn more on the SPPA website.
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We train reps to be effective, knowledgeable and confident in their work.
We also train activists so that they may support members and reps in our schools and workplaces; and eventually become reps themselves.
We provide EIS Representatives, Health & Safety Reps, Learning and Equality Reps with a structured programme of training delivered by college tutors and our staff.
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EIS Stage 1 Courses for new Reps and Activists
Future training course dates for new reps and activists are now available for the 2025-26 session, including courses in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aviemore and online. If you want to learn more, or have recently become a new Rep then please explore our courses on our website.
Should you require any assistance, please email Sophie Cooper Scooper@eis.org.uk
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Engagement with Local Association and EIS Organisers
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If there is no Branch Rep in your school, please contact your local EIS Organiser or LA Secretary as they visit branches to discuss campaigns and local issues.
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