The ongoing dispute between teachers’ unions and the Scottish government has taken a new turn as teachers in Scotland’s largest education union prepare for another strike ballot. Our colleagues from the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) held a strike ballot recently. Sadly, the region’s 39 percent turnout fell well short of the 60 percent threshold needed for a mandate, prompting this end. In November, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth made headlines with a plan to cut class contact time. Notably, this move goes beyond purely the workload concerns that have taken center stage in recent debates.
Yesterday’s EIS strike ballot saw a low turnout of just 46.57%. This is well below the necessary 50 percent plus one for a legitimate vote to occur. Even still, a staggering 85.94% of the members who voted were in favor of strike action. The NASUWT teaching union was deeply shaken as well. They even admitted that less than half of the ballots were returned by the due date. One major demand from the Education unions includes reducing teachers’ class contact time from 22.5 hours to 21 hours a week. This modification would provide teachers an additional 1.5 hours per week for planning and grading time.
Teachers in Scottish state secondary schools have a contract to work at least 35 hours per week in total. In order to strike, unions must reach 100 percent turnout to call the strike. They need to get more than 50% of the vote and 40%+ support from those polls. Union legislation is about to shift dramatically in the next few weeks. That would result in an easier pathway for unions to obtain members’ mandates for strikes.
Gilruth stated, “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.” She emphasized the importance of ongoing discussions rather than industrial actions, expressing hope that all teaching unions will engage in constructive dialogue.
“The pressure created by the threat of industrial action focuses the minds of politicians and presses them to take action to deliver on their promises,” said Bradley, reflecting the sentiments of many educators who are advocating for change.
Gilruth has begun to address this growing outcry over teacher burdens. He proposed that national minimum standards be set for the number of pupil learning hours. These reforms may pave the way for more school districts to adopt later start times and longer breaks. Or they may reimagine school days, improving teacher’s practices and morale, while enriching student learning environments.
Even with all of these obstacles holding back earlier ballots, teachers’ unions are ready to fight to get reforms they need across the line. “Working together, we can shape a future where reduced class contact time is not just a logistical change, but a catalyst for deeper professional engagement, improved wellbeing, and better outcomes for every learner,” said Gilruth.
Educators are preparing for that moment. With national strike action on the horizon as a possibility, they are relentless in their continuing fight to gain respect and improve working conditions. The Scottish government says it’s serious about making sure these concerns are heard and considered. They pledge to honor their commitments to teachers and students alike.
