Establishing a National EIS Health and Safety Representatives Network

44. Stirling Local Association

That this AGM instruct Council to set up a National EIS Health and Safety Representatives Network.

Daniel Auldjo (Stirling) proposed a motion at the AGM to set up a national EIS Health and Safety Representatives Network. This initiative seeks to provide better support for members who face verbal and physical abuse. “I would hope that those members who are victims of verbal and physical abuse are supported by school reps and trained Health and Safety Reps,” Mr Auldjo said.

Colin Finlay (Falkirk), who seconded the motion, emphasised the importance of holding employers accountable for the safety and wellbeing of their staff. “Health and Safety Reps are the vanguard of holding the employer to account,” Mr Finlay asserted. The network aims to ensure that health and safety standards are consistently upheld across all schools. The motion was carried.

Investigating Access to Requested Documents and Accident Reports

45. Stirling Local Association

That this AGM instruct Council to investigate and report on the extent to which employers allow nominated Health and Safety representatives access to requested documents and  accident reports, freely or otherwise, in accordance with The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977, specifically Regulation 7.

Further, this motion calls on the EIS to share examples of good practice where these are found with all Local Associations.

Daniel Auldjo (Stirling) moved a motion calling for an investigation and into the extent to which employers allow nominated Health and Safety representatives access to requested documents and accident reports. “GDPR should not adversely impact safety representatives.”

Colin Finlay (Falkirk), seconding the motion, said, “Why do we need this motion? We need this motion because what should happen, doesn’t always.”

The motion is carried.

Addressing Mental Health Support for Members

46. Edinburgh Local Association

That this AGM note the rising levels of mental ill-health among EIS members seeking advice and support, and resolve to:

  1. offer appropriate training to all EIS reps, Local Association Secretaries, Benevolent Fund Correspondents and members of Local Association Executive Committees in supporting members who seek EIS assistance because of work-related issues arising from mental ill-health;
  2. investigate and report on how the EIS might provide support and supervision for such activists to help them maintain their own mental wellbeing;
  3. include consideration of how external providers, such as the charity Education Support, might be involved in such training and/or support and supervision.

Claire Chalmers (Edinburgh) brought forward a motion to address the rising levels of mental ill-health among EIS members. This motion calls for comprehensive training for EIS reps and LA Secretaries to better support members experiencing work-related mental health issues. “I am very aware of the support this union has for each other; it is palpable”, Ms Chalmers remarked.

Claire Robertson, also from Edinburgh, seconded the motion and noted the significant increase in mental health problems within the teaching profession. “There is a significant increase in mental health problems in this profession,” Ms Robertson highlighted. The motion aims to create a safer and more supportive environment for all union members.

Investigating Long-COVID Among Teachers and Students

47. Edinburgh Local Association

That this AGM note the World Health Organisation’s announcement in April 2023 that 1 in 10 Covid infections results in post-Covid conditions, and resolve to:

  1. investigate and report on the most up to date information relating to rates of long-COVID among teachers in Scotland (or the UK if Scottish figures are not available), compared to other workers;
  2. investigate and report on the most up to date information relating to rates of long-COVID among school-age children in Scotland (or the UK if Scottish figures are not available);
  3. campaign for adequate numbers of HEPA-filters to be fitted, and maintained, to ensure at least four air changes per hour in every classroom and lecture-room in Scotland;
  4. seek to work with the STUC to campaign for similar protections for other workers in Scotland, and with the TUC to campaign for similar protections for teachers and other workers elsewhere in the UK.

Craig Duffy (Edinburgh), a first-time speaker at the AGM, successfully proposed a motion to investigate the effects of long-COVID on teachers and students. “It’s no secret that councillors and MSPs were working from home, we were out there teaching. We deserve an investigation on how COVID has affected us,” Mr Duffy asserted.

Tom Britton, (Edinburgh), seconded the motion, emphasising the need for safe working conditions for all educators. This investigation aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of long-COVID’s impact and develop strategies to support those affected.

Asbestos Removal in Educational Settings

48. Fife Local Association

That this AGM call on the Scottish Government and Scottish local authorities to provide an update regarding the progress made on the removal of asbestos in Scotland’s nurseries, schools, and other educational settings.

Jillian Gillespie (Fife) highlighted the ongoing issue of asbestos in schools with a motion calling for a comprehensive removal policy. “Unfortunately, asbestos is very much present in our schools. asbestos kills,” Ms Gillespie stated, stressing the urgent need for action.

James McIntyre (East Dunbartonshire) seconded the motion, sharing his personal connection to the issue and its impact on families. “This is an issue that impacts all children and educators in Scotland,” Mr McIntyre emphasised. The motion aims to ensure that all educational settings are safe and free from harmful asbestos.

Ensuring Access to Defibrillators in Schools

49. Dumfries and Galloway Local Association

That this AGM call for a comprehensive policy/campaign to ensure that every school in Scotland is equipped with a defibrillator.

Amendment EIS-FELA

After “every school” add “and college campus”.

Andrew O’Halloran (Dumfries & Galloway) proposed a motion at the AGM to ensure that every school in Scotland is equipped with a defibrillator. “7,000 people die in Scotland from heart disease each year.

Defibrillators are part of the kit to potentially save lives. It’s a quick fix,” O’Halloran said.

Sarajane Moffat from Dumfries and Galloway seconded the motion, reinforcing the importance of having life-saving equipment readily available in schools. The motion aims to increase the number of defibrillators in educational settings and potentially save lives in emergencies.

Addressing the Misuse of AI to Create Deepfakes

50. Highland Local Association

That this AGM instruct Council to:

  1. Investigate and report on the misuse of AI to create deepfakes as a form of harassment of staff.
  2. Share findings of this report.
  3. Use the findings of the report to develop EIS Guidance/policy on their use for members (and Local Associations).

Gabrielle Warburton (Highland) proposed a motion to investigate the misuse of AI to create deepfakes, a form of harassment against staff. “We are on the backfoot with AI. Our learners are using AI to abuse staff. We don’t want our staff to be abused,” Ms Warburton asserted.

Jacqueline-Ann Hume from Highland seconded the motion, highlighting the additional challenges teachers face in the classroom, Ms Hume said, “Teachers and educators face enough abuse in the classroom already. Our employers need to protect us,” The motion calls for a national strategy to address the misuse of AI and protect educators from such harassment.