Teachers’ strike threat over time spent in classes

TEACHERS are threatening to strike in a bid to cut the amount of time they spend in class – while also demanding a fourday week and a 10 per cent pay hike.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), which represents more than 80 per cent of Scotland’s teaching professionals, will host its annual conference at the Caird Hall in Dundee from Thursday to Saturday.

Members will debate calling on union leaders to press for a four-day week, and a move to strike over the amount of time they spend in front of pupils – which they want to be cut.

The row comes amid pleas for pay rises from other professions, including nurses, who want a 10 per cent salary boost.

EIS is just one of the unions threatening strike action this year in what is feared will be a summer of discontent.

Action is also being taken or considered by train workers’ unions RMT and Aslef as well as NASUWT, Unite and GMB.

The Scottish Police Federation has also warned that it is discussing ‘next steps’. And around 50 members of the Communications Workers Union, employed by Post Office Cash Services in Glasgow and Aberdeen, are expected to walk out today, disrupting cash delivery and collection services.

The EIS recently launched its Pay Attention campaign, calling for a 10 per cent pay rise.

As well as debates on motions, keynote speeches will be given by outgoing EIS president Heather Hughes and general secretary Larry Flanagan, who is set to step down from his post in the summer.

Education Secretary ShirleyAnne Somerville will also address attendees.

The Edinburgh EIS association has tabled a motion urging the ruling council to ‘campaign vigorously for the reduction in teachers’ contact hours, promised by the Scottish Government, to be implemented’.

If there is no commitment by December 2022 to the reduction in contact hours being in place by August 2023, EIS members should be balloted in January 2023 on ‘industrial action, up to and including strike action’.

Last year the SNP pledged to cut the time teachers spend in classrooms by 90 minutes a week, claiming that it would reduce the workload and stress for the profession.

The Glasgow branch of the EIS has tabled a motion calling for the union council to ‘campaign, alongside other trade unions and STUC [Scottish Trades Union Congress], for a four-day working week’.

Lindsay Paterson, a professor of education policy at Edinburgh University, said: ‘A shorter week would make teachers’ jobs harder, because they would have to cram the same content into fewer hours. What is needed is extra support for pupils.’

Last night Mr Flanagan said: ‘The EIS is campaigning for a 10 per cent pay increase.

‘With inflation soaring, Scotland’s teachers deserve a fair pay rise.’

Scottish Tory education spokesman Oliver Mundell said: ‘No one wants strike action and further educational disruption for our young people, so SNP ministers must get real about the situation they’ve created and get things sorted.’

‘Extra support for pupils’ ‘Deserve a fair pay rise’