Teachers to vote again on strikes after EIS ballot fails to meet threshold

Teachers are set to vote again on strike action amid a row over workload after an industrial action ballot failed to meet legal turnout levels.

The EIS, Scotland’s largest teaching union, shared the results on Friday after balloting members on potential strike action in recent weeks.

The Scottish Government has been accused of failing to deliver on its commitment to hire an additional 3,500 teachers and to cut weekly class contact time from 22.5 to 21 hours, as promised in the 2021 SNP manifesto.

Scottish teachers say those changes would give them more time for activities such as marking and preparing lessons.

The union has argued that “little to no tangible progress has been made towards the delivery of these promises”, which is why teachers were balloted to take strike action.

However, EIS said the ballot had become a “victim” of UK trade union laws, and has fallen short of the legal turnout level currently set in legislation.

For a strike ballot to be successful, at least 50% of eligible members must respond to the ballot, and at least 40% of eligible members must vote yes if they work for an important public service.

The EIS ballot failed to meet the thresholds.

“It is disappointing that, despite very strong Yes votes for industrial action, our ballot has fallen victim to a highly restrictive element of trade union legislation that is soon to be repealed,” EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said.

The EIS Executive Committee has already considered the result and agreed to move ahead with a re-ballot on industrial action regarding excessive teacher workload.

“There was a very strong message from that meeting that the EIS must continue to press ahead with its campaign to secure promised actions to tackle excessive workload,” Ms Bradley continued.

“The Scottish Government and COSLA made promises to Scotland’s teachers and pupils that action would be taken to employ additional teachers, reduce teachers’ class contact time, cut teacher workload and create a better working environment for teachers and pupils alike. We cannot let the politicians off the hook on their promises, and we cannot take our collective foot off the gas in our workload campaign.”

A Cosla spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that the EIS will be seeking to reballot their members.

“Industrial action is in nobody’s interests, and we urge unions to work with Cosla and Scottish Government rather that threaten to disrupt education at this crucial time of year.

“We recognise that supporting teachers is essential. However, this needs to be facilitated in a way that ensures a positive impact on outcomes for children and young people.

“Cosla remains committed to constructive engagement with the Scottish Government and teaching unions through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers on the implementation of the ministerial commitment to reduce class contact time.”

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.