New Ballot Paper to Come: Bin the Old One!
Unfortunately it has come to light that there is a small typo error in the ballot papers that were sent out on 12th November. Whilst the error does not change the meaning of the ballot question, it creates a risk for us that an employer may use it as a hook to challenge or disrupt the ballot or any future industrial action.
This risk is due to the UK's anti-trade union laws being very strong and designed to thwart industrial action in the UK, by putting employers in a strong position.
The Executive agreed earlier today that the best and safest course of action is to update the ballot paper, and to issue new ballot papers on Wednesday 19th November.
If you have already voted- apologies, but I'm afraid that you will need to vote again with the new ballot paper that will arrive next week.
If you have not already voted, then please bin or shred your ballot paper; so as not to cause any confusion with the new ballot paper that will arrive next week. The envelope will be of black & white design to help distinguish it.
This workload dispute is the best way we can begin to address every teacher’s workload by reducing weekly class contact time and increasing ‘preparation & correction’ time.
The higher the turnout in this statutory postal ballot then the more likely COSLA and the Scottish Government will act without the need to implement industrial action. We urge all members to vote Yes to Strike Action and Yes to ASOS Action.
If you have not received your ballot Monday 24th November, please contact ballot@eis.org.uk with your full name, EIS number and address and we will arrange for another copy to be sent to you.
The EIS is clear that reducing weekly class contact time to 21 hours, and ensuring that the full 1.5 hours to increase weekly preparation and correction time, would mark an essential step forward in addressing unsustainable levels of teacher workload.
This video provides a clear overview of the negotiations so far and why teachers' require the reduction in class contact time and how the additional time must be allocated to teachers for preparation and correction
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