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Message from the General Secretary
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Dear Rep
It has been another incredibly busy term for the EIS, and for our reps in schools, without whom so much of our important work would be undone.
Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do in support of the Stand Up for Quality Education campaign, particularly in support of the current workload ballot, and in providing advice and emotional support to our 55,000 school-based members, day in and day out.
It truly is a remarkable job that you do.
As we approach the festive break, I’d also like to take this opportunity to wish you a very merry Christmas, a happy New Year, and a good rest!
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2026 promises to be another action-packed year of campaigning for the much-needed and long-promised improvements in the working conditions of Scotland’s teachers and the learning conditions of our children and young people. I look forward to us pressing forward together and winning together in the New Year!
In festive solidarity
Andrea Bradley
General Secretary
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Statutory Ballot (Postal) on Teacher Workload
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Our statutory postal ballot in pursuit of the SNCT workload dispute on 21 hours of class contact time continues. This is our best opportunity to reduce teachers’ workload. We need to secure the reduction in class contact time to 21 hours, and the use of the full 1.5 hours reduction to increase weekly preparation and correction time.
Please vote and post your own ballot paper if you haven’t already done so.
Please talk with your branch colleagues, hold branch meetings and encourage members to vote too.
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Pre-Christmas Checklist for Reps:
- Have members received their postal ballot paper to their home address (the new ballot paper is printed with a blue triangle on the bottom right hand corner)?
- If any members have not received a ballot paper, ask them to contact: ballot@eis.org.uk.
- Have you arranged a branch meeting and had conversations with members?
- Encourage members to vote “Yes” to strike action and “Yes” to action short of a strike (ASOS) and post back ballot papers.
- Have you recorded when members have voted by updating EIS Engage?
- If you think your members would benefit from hearing from national EIS office bearers or officials on this topic, there’s still time to contact your local EIS Organiser to arrange attendance at a branch meeting in your school in the last few days of term or in the New Year.
Actions for reps:
Use the Pre-Christmas checklist above to support members’ participation in the ballot.
Volunteer for phone banking in your Local Association if possible.
Circulate guidance and resources about this ballot to members.
Further resources for Reps and members:
- Ballot FAQ on the EIS website.
- Reps' briefing and guidance on persuasive organising conversations.
- Reasons to vote Yes and Yes in the workload ballot.
- Why Principal Teachers,Deputes Headteachers Should Vote Yes.
- National Webinar recording.
- Ballot podcast.
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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, Learning and Equality Reps with a structured programme of training delivered by college tutors and our staff.
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.
Should you require any assistance, please email Sophie Cooper SCooper@eis.org.uk.
Action for Reps: If you are a Rep or know of an activist who wishes to attend EIS training, please contact your LA Secretary to apply for an EIS training course.
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Fighting the Influence of the Far Right
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We have recently published a members’ briefing on fighting the influence of the far-right, and advice to reps to encourage conversations with members on this topic.
Action for Reps: Please encourage members to read the briefing and familiarise yourself with the advice for reps.
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Our Voices in Union - EIS Equality and Leadership Weekend School 2026
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30 January (half-day), 31 January, 1 February (half-day)
Building on the work of the first Our Voices in Union programme which ran from 2023 to 2025, the EIS will be hosting Our Voices in Union Weekend School 2026.
This is a residential programme which aims to further build the leadership capacity of under-represented groups within their own workplaces, and within the Union.
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More information can be found on the EIS website. Any members interested in attending can click here to register for this event.
Please note that the Weekend School is open to all members who are Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic, LGBT+, disabled, neurodivergent, or below 31 years of age. At this time, we are especially encouraging members who are not already on Council, or members who are new to Council, FELA or ULA Executive to apply. The Weekend School will be operating a waitlist if oversubscribed.
Action for Reps: Please highlight to members.
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Updated briefing on the 'Impact of the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers'
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The EIS is increasingly concerned that the implementation of policy changes following the Supreme Court ruling will adversely impact the health,safety and wellbeing of transgender,non-binary and gender non-conforming learners and staff in schools and colleges across Scotland.
The following briefingis intended to provide an overview to assist EIS Reps in navigating local conversations on this issue in alignment with EIS policy.
Please note,this is an updated version of the briefing previously circulated,which takes account of updated Scottish Government guidance on supporting transgender pupils in schools which was issued on 29 September 2025.
If you require further support or advice to assist in this matter,including in preparing for local deputations related to policy changes,please email saugestad@eis.org.uk.
Action for Reps:Please familiarise yourself with the briefingcontent and liaise with your LA Secretary or Branch Secretary as required.
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Engagement with Local Association and EIS Organisers
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It is important for EIS reps to maintain two-way communication with their Local Association — sharing what is happening in school and staying informed on local authority matters.
EIS Organisers also support Local Associations and visit branches to discuss campaigns,including the Stand Up for Quality Education campaign,local issues,and provide direct support to reps.
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