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Stand Up For Quality Education Campaign
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We are continuing to progress the Stand Up for Quality Education Campaign, nationally pushing for the implementation of the Scottish Government’s manifesto commitment to reduce teachers’ weekly class contact time. Locally, we have shared advice and guidance to Local Association Secretaries on how they can campaign and fight against any local education cuts – as Glasgow LA are successfully doing.
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Action for Reps: Reach out to your LA Secretary, attend Local Association meetings and be the link between the Local Association and the members within your Branch to help facilitate involvement in your Local Association’s campaigning activities.
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Glasgow EIS Anti-Cuts Campaign
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Teachers in Glasgow achieved a successful statutory ballot for strike action against proposed cuts to teacher numbers by Glasgow City Council, beating the anti-trade union thresholds and voting 95% in favour of taking strike action.
After informing the employer of the outcome of the ballot, EIS Glasgow received an offer from Glasgow City Council’s SNP group to withdraw future planned education cuts, and a promise that additional Scottish Government funding will be used to increase the number of teachers working in Glasgow’s schools to 2023 levels.
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Following discussion on the offer letter, Glasgow EIS Local Association has decided to suspend its initial planned day of strike action, scheduled for Thursday 20 February, as an act of good faith, until talks take place at full Council level on delivery of the terms of the offer outlined in the letter.
Developments in Glasgow strongly demonstrate the power of collectively standing up for quality education.
Action for Reps: Share the news with members in your Branch and consider sending a message of congratulations to Glasgow EIS.
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International Women's Day 2025
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As part of the EIS’s International Women’s Day activities, the EIS will be focusing on #AcceleratingAction on Menopause and Menstrual Health at Work.
Action for Reps: Local Association Secretaries and Reps should look out for the EIS refreshed Guidance on Menopause and Menstrual Health at Work and are encouraged to utilise this guidance to host local discussions about Menopause and Menstrual Health as workplace issues.
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‘Into Teaching: Professional Update and Workload’ Webinar
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On March 20th, the EIS will be hosting an online event with guest speakers from the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), Education Scotland and the EIS. The ‘Into Teaching: Professional Update and Workload’ webinar will take place on Thursday 20th March from 4.30-6pm.
Victoria Smith, GTCS Director of Education, Registration and Professional Learning, will discuss the process of Professional Update and EIS Education Committee Convenor, Susan Quinn, will discuss experiences of teaching in the first five years including managing your workload and sustaining your wellbeing.
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Education (Scotland) Bill
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The Education (Scotland) Bill will shortly move to Stage 2 of the Parliamentary process. The Education, Children and Young People Committee of the Scottish Parliament will consider the detail of the Bill. The EIS has drafted proposed amendments to address the concerns raised in our written and oral evidence.
These amendments seek to ensure that teacher voice is at the heart of the governance of the new qualifications’ agency; that accreditation and regulation of qualifications are devolved from Qualifications Scotland; and that the new office of Chief Inspector will be truly independent of the Scottish Government.
We will continue to monitor the progress of the Bill and provide members with an update at the end of the Stage 2 process.
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We support and train members to become school-based EIS Representatives, this includes Health & Safety and Equality Reps. The EIS works with the college tutors to deliver TUC accredited Reps’ training. This year’s future dates will be published shortly. If you have recently taken on the role as a new Rep then please explore our courses online.
If you are a Rep who wishes to attend training, please contact your LA Secretary to apply for an EIS training course.
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Reach out to new probationer teachers in your school
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Unions are strongest when we have as many members as possible and that they are engaged. Please reach out to any new teachers or lecturers in your workplace and talk to them about EIS membership.
Action for Reps and Branch Secretaries: Reach out and talk with new staff. If they are already an EIS member then please ensure that they have updated their membership details at MyEIS.
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Please also promote EIS membership with any probationer teachers; EIS membership is free for probationers.
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Engagement with Local Association and EIS Organisers
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It is important for EIS reps to have two-way communications with their Local Association – to share what is happening in their school and to hear what is happening at the local authority level.
We have a team of EIS Organisers that support Local Associations and who visit branches to discuss our latest campaigns, local campaign issues and to support reps.
Action for Reps: Please engage with your Local Association Secretary and attend LA meetings if you can. Please reach out to your local EIS Organiser to attend a branch meeting or if you want support as a rep.
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