Teachers' union calls off strikes after workload deal

Strike action that had been planned for schools in six Scottish council areas next week has now been called off following an agreement regarding teacher workload. The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) had originally intended to hold walkouts over two days at schools located in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire, Dundee, Fife, Perth and Kinross, and Moray.

The planned industrial action came after concerns were raised that a commitment to reduce the maximum amount of time teachers spend teaching by 90 minutes had not been met. Earlier this week, a deal was reached between the unions and the Scottish government and was subsequently approved by Cosla, the organisation representing councils that employ teachers.

Andrea Bradley, General Secretary of the EIS, expressed relief at the resolution, stating: “The EIS is extremely pleased that a negotiated outcome, which has been approved by all sides, has now been achieved in this long-running dispute. This agreement will have a positive impact on teacher workload and will help to create more jobs for the many newly and recently qualified teachers currently seeking secure employment in schools across Scotland.”

The strike action had been prompted by a ballot held among EIS members earlier in March, in which 85% of those voting supported industrial action. The union’s demand centered on ensuring that the promised reduction in teaching hours, as outlined in the SNP’s 2021 Holyrood election manifesto, would be implemented. Although the initial strike plan focused on six council areas, formal strike notices had been issued to all 32 local authorities in Scotland

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