Trade Union Activities

The EIS is a Trade Union
Since the 1970s, the Institute has played a full part in the trade union movement in Scotland, the rest of the United Kingdom and in international teacher affairs through affiliation to and active participation in the following trade union organisations.

• Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC)
• Trades Union Congress (TUC)
• Education International (EI) and the European Trade Union Committee for Education

In recent years the EIS has played an increasingly important role in trade union work. EIS priorities in trade union work are a commitment to high standards of education and to a society which offers young people the best opportunities in education, training as well as social and cultural development. The EIS donates 0.5% of its subscription income to sponsorship of the arts in Scotland.

In addition to its professional role, the Institute has through the years developed its function of seeking to improve and protect the pay and conditions of service of teachers and lecturers in Scotland at both a national and local level
In recent years in particular, the Institute has also played an important role in the campaign to protect the distinctive nature of Scottish education and the quality of education service provided in this country.

The EIS campaigned for the setting up of a Scottish Parliament and works actively with MSPs and the Parliament’s committees.

Pay and Conditions of Service

The EIS negotiates on all matters of pay and conditions of service on behalf of school teachers with local authority and government representatives within the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SCNT). Within the committee, the EIS is not only the largest union represented, but has also the overall majority on the teachers’ side. The EIS is committed to seeking improvement in teaching salaries and in conditions of service.