May EIS Council

The final meeting of EIS Council for this academic year was the first in-person meeting in more than two years and largely centred on the issue of pay. With the pay claim for 2021-2022 having been settled at long last, more than a year late, the focus has now shifted to the 2022-2023 pay claim and the EIS campaign for a 10% pay settlement for Scotland’s teachers.

Salaries Committee

Salaries Convener Des Morris confirmed that the pay claim for 2021-2022 had now been implemented via the SNCT. There would, inevitably, be some variation in precisely when members would receive the back-dated element of their pay, as a result of the different payroll policies and procedures within individual local authorities.

On the 2022-2023 pay claim, Mr Morris said that an offer from the employer’s side of the SNCT has yet to be tabled. The EIS was applying pressure for a pay offer to be made, in writing, prior to the next scheduled negotiating meeting later in the month, said Mr Morris.

Mr Morris continued, “It is likely that the employer’s opening offer, when it comes, will not take much consideration, and will be rejected, as it will be based on public sector pay policy. We will continue to push for offers to be made more quickly, and we will not accept the type of delaying tactics employed by COSLA last year.”

Mr Morris went on to say the EIS Executive is progressing the strategy of building ballot-readiness and strike-readiness amongst members. It is likely that industrial action, or the credible threat of industrial action, will be required to extract a suitable offer from COSLA and the Scottish government, he said.

Executive has agreed that the main focus in this campaign is likely to be on the impact of inflation, and the soaring cost of living, rather than the ‘restorative’ element which was such a major component of the last major campaign on pay.

Mr Morris highlighted that June’s EIS AGM will feature a rally to provide a boost to the campaign and to start to increase the pressure on COSLA and the Scottish government on teacher pay.

David Moore (South Ayrshire) said, “Our members have been told by the council that ‘hopefully’ we will get our backdated pay for 2021-2022 by June. Do you agree that this is totally unacceptable, for a pay offer that was due to be applied from April 2021?”

General Secretary Larry Flanagan replied, “It is completely unacceptable, but is unfortunately a recurring issue with some council payroll departments. It seems to be the same councils each time that are late in making back-dated payments, and this also impacts on other groups of employees not only teachers.”

Andrew Fullwood (Glasgow) said, “It is absolutely disgraceful that authorities are not paying the back-dated payments in good time. The recurring problem of COSLA dragging its feet led to the long delay in the last pay settlement. Hopefully, pressure can be applied to speed the process up this time around.”

Mr Morris agreed that pressure would require to be applied on COSLA to speed up the pace of negotiations. “It is likely that we will have received two offers, and rejected them, prior to the AGM. There is likely to be a requirement for more emergency meetings of Salaries Committee, online or in person, to seek to move negotiations on as quickly as possible,” he said.

Allan Crosbie (Edinburgh) said, “We will need to press the Scottish government, as they are the people with the money.”

Mr Morris replied, “Pay is negotiated via the SNCT, and the Scottish government are a party to those negotiations – and their involvement will be vital to securing an acceptable pay settlement for our members.”

Executive Committee

President-elect Andrene Bamford reported on the recent meeting of the EIS Executive, which had been held on a hybrid (in-person and online) basis. Ms Bamford reported on the work of the digital review working group, including the purchase of video conferencing equipment to better support online and hybrid meetings in the future. She also reported on the progress of the 175th anniversary book, which will celebrate the history of the EIS and also seek to engage members ahead of the pay campaign. See focus on pp8-9 for more information.

The Executive Committee also approved the appointments procedure for the appointment of the next General Secretary, with the special meeting of Council to appoint the new General Secretary set to take place on Friday 20 May (after this edition of the SEJ has gone to press). The President-elect also placed on record a message of solidarity for FELA members who were engaged in a programme of strike action in pursuit of a pay agreement.

Education Committee

Convener Susan Quinn reported that the committee had considered ongoing education reforms, including the Muir Report and its recommendations. This will be a focus for the committee’s work going forward, as we move closer to significant changes such as the replacement of the SQA. “We will continue to make sure that teachers’ voice is represented on all appropriate fora,” said Ms Quinn.

Highlighting EIS concerns over the growing number of local authorities seeking to pursue multi-establishment headteacher models, Ms Qunn said, “The position of executive head does not exist within SNCT structures. The EIS has continued to push on this in all appropriate fora, including with the GTCS, in opposition to this emerging damaging practice across the country.”

Employment Relations Committee

Convener David Baxter updated Council on the work of the Committee. On benevolence, Mr Baxter reported that four generous contributions from local associations had been paid into the Benevolence Fund. 14 applications for assistance had been received, and 14 grants authorised with three emergency grants homologated. “With the growing cost of living crisis, there are a growing number of people who need our help,” said Mr Baxter.

On legal affairs, the Committee considered 17 cases, and noted that over £35,000 had been achieved in settlements on behalf of two members.

The Committee also approved a paper in engaging online and staying safe, which will now become an advice paper for members.

Equality Committee

Convener Nicola Fisher told Council that a briefing for members on the gender recognition reform bill has been produced, and is now available on the EIS website.

On anti-racist issues, Ms Fisher reported on the continued development of EIS welcome packs, including translation into additional languages including Ukrainian and Russian. “We continue to work with local councils to distribute these packs, and the EIS is grateful to councils for their ongoing crucial support in ensuring that the packs reach the young people and families who can benefit from them,” said Ms Fisher.

On free school meals, Ms Fisher said that it was disappointing that the roll-out of free meals to P6 and P7 has been delayed, and there are no current plans to roll it out in secondary. “The EIS is still awaiting a response from the Cabinet Secretary to the letter we sent before Christmas calling for free school meals to be rolled out to all pupils,” highlighted Ms Fisher.

Universal free school meals remain vital to combatting the stigma of free meals, and increasing uptake of free meals by the young people who need them most, Ms Fisher added.