May’s meeting of EIS Council was the scene for a significant discussion over the potential for a consultative ballot for industrial action over the failure to deliver the Scottish Government’s commitment to reduce teachers’ maximum class contact time to 21 hours per week.

With four years having now passed since the commitment was made ahead of the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, the lack of any tangible progress towards delivery led to the declaration of a dispute at the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) and now, more than 100 days on from the dispute being declared, a move by the EIS towards a consultative ballot for industrial action.

A special meeting of EIS Salaries Committee, the day before the meeting of Council, had recommended opening a consultative ballot, to open at the EIS AGM in June and to run until late August. There was clear overwhelming support in the room for the decision to open the ballot to apply pressure on the Scottish Government, with the only debate on the issue centred around the best tactics to adopt in the conduct of the ballot.

Explaining the rationale behind the ballot recommendation on the order paper, Salaries Convener Des Morris said, “Pressure must be applied on Scottish Government and COSLA. There has been an obvious pattern of delay, obfuscation and long-grass kicking over this issue. It appears that the Scottish Government and COSLA just want this matter to go away.” Mr Morris added, “The committee believes that pressure should be applied ahead of the summer, should continue throughout the summer, and conclude after the summer.”

Fully agreeing with the decision to ballot, but proposing some technical amendments to the process, was fellow Salaries Committee member Andrew Fullwood, who said, “We had a long and considered debate on this issue, but it is very important that Council has the chance to also have its say. We are fighting for the delivery of a manifesto commitment that the SNP made. We need to up the ante to force them to make progress.”

Speaking in support of the Salaries Committee recommendations on the ballot, Ex-President Paula McEwan highlighted, “The significance of opening this at the AGM, with the Scottish Government, and COSLA and our fellow trade unions in attendance.”

Yasmine Murray (Renfrewshire) said, “The countdown clock on the EIS website says COSLA and the Scottish Government are well overdue on this matter. A consultative ballot will be a powerful signal to our members.”

Heather Hughes (West Lothian), said, “Workload is the number one issue for our colleagues…this approach is the right one, and will address members’ concerns over workload.”

David Farmer (Fife), who had seconded the amendment, said, “It’s time to call the Scottish Government and COSLA to account over their lack of action on this issue. Let’s send a clear message to them – we have had enough, and we aren’t going to accept this any more.”

In his summing up for the Salaries Committee, Des Morris said, “With this ballot, we will have the Scottish Government and COSLA coming back in August, ready to talk, with the weight of our ballot hanging over their heads.”

With the unity over the requirement for a ballot already abundantly clear, the President then called a vote on the issue, the result of which was an overwhelming majority in support of opening the ballot, as outlined in the Salaries Committee decision.

As a result, the Consultative Ballot will open during the EIS AGM, on Friday 6 June, and run throughout the summer until it closes on Friday 29 August. Further information on the ballot will be shared in the coming weeks, with ballot information distributed prior to the EIS AGM.

Council Round Up

Vice-President Adam Sutcliffe told Council that the Committee had agreed to enlist the services of the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) to carry out a substantial piece of research to take forward the aims of the Stand Up for Quality Education campaign and EIS Manifesto asks, including early years and universal free school meals policies.

Education

Convener Susan Quinn updated Council on the progress of the Scottish Government’s Education (Scotland) Bill, which entered Phase 2 in late April. Ms Quinn highlighted that the EIS had submitted a substantial number of proposed amendments to the Bill, and would continue monitoring the debate as it develops and prepares to move to Stage 3.

Employment Relations

Convener Susan Slater told Council that the committee had awarded 35 assistance grants from the Benevolent Fund, totalling £100,000. On legal affairs, the Committee considered 19 current cases, and noted that settlements amounting to £112,500 had been secured on behalf of two members.

Equality

Convener Nicola Fisher told Council that a major anti-racism march was being planned for 21 June, to coincide with World Refugee Day. Members of the Equality Committee will be attending the event, and further information was being provided to Executive for onward dissemination to members, said Ms Fisher.

Salaries

Convener Des Morris noted that there had been no further progress on the settlement of the 2025 teachers’ pay claim, following the rejection of an initial 3% offer from employers, with no improved offer having been received at the time of the meeting. The teachers’ side of the SNCT was continuing to emphasise the need for a swift settlement, to meet the implementation date of the 1st of August.
On the long-running issue of the reclassification of back-pay from the previous pay agreement, Mr Morris highlighted that the HMRC had shared with the EIS the advice that it had issued to local authorities on addressing this issue, and had offered a meeting to discuss this. Work was now underway to arrange a meeting, said Mr Morris.

Motions

Council approved three Motions at its May meeting: a call for training for EIS Council members on the EIS Constitution and associated regulations (David Farmer, Fife); the provision of advice and guidance to LA Secretaries in supporting members facing long-term illness and whose sickness allowance has run out (Jacqui MacKenzie, North Ayrshire); a Stand Up for Quality Education day of action to highlight the plight of teachers on temporary contracts (Alison Murphy, Edinburgh).