Message from the General Secretary
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Colleagues
It has been another incredibly busy semester for the EIS, EIS-ULA, and doubtless for you in whichever institution you work, endeavouring to deliver quality education and/or undertake sound research by way of contribution to Higher Education in Scotland.
Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do in support of students' learning and in contribution to Scotland's knowledge-base across so many disciplines and specialisms.
Thank you to all members who voted in the national ballot on pay and to the members at RGU, UWS and Napier who have fought hard and are fighting hard against redundancies.
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Looking ahead to the new year, sustainable funding for the Higher Education sector must be a key priority for EIS-ULA and our members.
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!
In 2026, I look forward to us pressing forward together for a better future for Higher Education in Scotland, its students, and you the lecturers and researchers whose professionalism is mission-critical.
In festive solidarity
Andrea Bradley
General Secretary
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After a successful consultative ballot held across the summer, the EIS ULA Executive Committee held a statutory ballot for strike action across October and November.
The timeline of the ballot coincided with sister trade unions (UCU, UNISON and UNITE) who were also holding their own statutory ballots for industrial action regarding the pay dispute.
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Our ballot closed on Friday 28th November with a majority of those voting for strike action (81.4%). Unfortunately, we did not achieve a mandate to take strike action as the turnout for the ballot was below 50% (38.76%).
The EIS ULA Executive Committee met on Wednesday 3rd December to discuss the results of our ballot (and those of other trade unions). After a lengthy discussion, the committee agreed they cannot progress the pay dispute any further and decided not to hold a re-ballot for strike action.
A new JNCHES meeting was held on Friday 5th December, where UCEA were informed of the ballot results, with UNITE and UNISON reporting they had achieved strike action mandates at a number of institutions across the UK. As such, the employers were asked if they would improve their pay offer. UCEA confirmed that they will consider the request at their next board meeting and report their decision to trade unions soon afterward.
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EIS ULA Annual Conference & Dinner 2026 – SAVE THE DATE
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The EIS ULA Annual Conference and dinner 2026 will be held on Wednesday 25th March at the Radisson Blu Hotel on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
Details of the conference, including registration, will be sent to all members early in the new year. All EIS ULA members are welcome to attend the event and evening dinner.
Our annual conference is a key event for EIS ULA members.
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Not only is it the constitutionally recognised event where Branches submit motions which shape the work of the ULA for the coming year, but it is also an important event for members to network and socialise with their colleagues.
If you are interested in joining us at the conference and dinner, please save the date and complete the online registration form when this becomes available. We advise members to book as soon as possible as spaces are limited.
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In September, the Branch at RGU took a further day of strike action (their sixth of the dispute) to continue resisting compulsory redundancies at the university, with some staff still at risk of being dismissed.
Pickets were well attended by members who remained resolute throughout the dispute and were joined by EIS staff and the General Secretary.
Unfortunately, the Branch was unable to secure a mandate to continue the strike action beyond September.
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The Branch, with the support of EIS staff, will continue to campaign collectively against redundancies at RGU and engage with University management on any future plans for staff.
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University of West of Scotland
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After the University failed to engage in meaningful discussions or recognise their dispute, the Branch at UWS successfully achieved a mandate for strike action in July.
Using this mandate, the Branch committee, after careful deliberation, agreed to take ten days of strike action across September and October, with consideration given to further strike dates beyond these if required.
Having taken eight days of well supported strike action, with large pickets across the four main Scottish campuses, University management were forced to give a no compulsory redundancy guarantee to EIS Branch Officials at a specially convened meeting on Friday 17th October.
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The result of the strike action taken by the Branch, who were buoyed by messages of support from other EIS Branches, sister trade unions and the public, has resulted in staff having the threat of compulsory redundancy removed.
Well done to all EIS members at UWS for successfully achieving a no compulsory redundancy guarantee for all affected.
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The Branch at SRUC recently held a consultative ballot on their outstanding 2024-25 pay uplift, with members being asked if they wished to accept or reject the 2% pay offer tabled by the University and the Branch recommending to reject the offer.
Members overwhelmingly voted to reject the pay offer, along with UNISON colleagues, reporting the results of their ballot to management.
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Having been informed of the result of the ballot, SRUC tabled an improved offer of 2.25%, which has since been imposed on members. The Branch has also submitted a 2025-26 pay claim of 5.1% in October this year, with the University tabling an offer of 1.5%. Discussions are still ongoing.
Members remain in dispute over the pay and grading exercise which management at SRUC were expected to have concluded in April 2024. The Branch is still considering further action to resolve this ongoing and lengthy dispute.
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Edinburgh Napier University
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In September, Edinburgh Napier University announced its intention to cut 70 jobs, 58 of which would be academic posts, starting the collective consultation process the same month.
The collective consultation process concluded with the University opening a voluntary redundancy scheme, the aim of which was to achieve the number of job cuts through voluntary means.
However, no assurances were given on no compulsory redundancies later in the process.
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In parallel with collective consultation, the Branch proactively took the decision to lodge a dispute, seeking a commitment of no compulsory redundancies from the University.
Having failed to reach a resolution to the dispute, the Branch held a consultative ballot of members on taking strike action to defend jobs. With a turnout of 66%, 92% of whom voted yes for strike action, the Branch has now opened a statutory ballot, seeking a mandate to take strike action in this dispute.
The ballot closes on Friday 9th January. Messages of support for the branch can be sent to Area Officer Denise McKenzie at DMcKenzie@eis.org.uk, who will forward these onto the Branch Officials at ENU, Nick Cimini, Holly Patrick-Thomson and David Griggs.
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EIS ULA has a new logo!
The new logo takes elements from the general EIS logo and marries these with colours representative of both the EIS as an institution as well as the ULA self-governing association.
The logo will be used on all future branding of ULA merchandise and graphics.
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The EIS supports and trains members to become local representatives within their workplace.
Training on offer also includes Health and Safety, Learning Reps and Equality Reps. The EIS works with university lecturers and academics to deliver TUC accredited Reps’ training.
Information on the EIS courses available to our members is on our website.
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The TUC also offers courses across the academic year to reps and members. A list of these courses can be found on the TUC website.
Members who wish to register their interest in any of the available EIS or TUC courses should first contact their Branch Secretary in the first instance or contact Sonia Leal (sleal@eis.org.uk).
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Branches without EIS ULA Office Bearers
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If you are at a university which does not currently have EIS ULA Office Bearers (Branch Secretary and Branch Convener), please seek to organise as a Branch and to elect these positions. By doing so, you and your colleagues will be better positioned to help and support each other at your university and contribute to the work of the EIS ULA nationally.
Please contact your EIS Organiser and ask them to visit your branch.
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