Teaching unions set to reveal strike ballot results | UK News

The results of strike ballots by two teaching unions are due later.

Members of the EIS and NASUWT unions have been voting on whether to take strike action in a long-running row over teachers’ workloads.

The EIS – which is the biggest teachers union by far – will discuss the result on Thursday afternoon before deciding on action.

The Scottish government insists it is committed to dealing with the workload concerns and recently announced proposals to try to do this.

National strike action by the EIS union could potentially close almost every school in Scotland.

All the main classroom unions – the EIS, SSTA and NASUWT – want to see a reduction in the amount of time teachers spend in front of pupils to give them more time to prepare lessons and mark work.

They argue teachers are spending too much of their own time doing this and effectively working for free.

The unions wants to see so-called “contact time” cut from 22.5 hours a week to 21 hours, in line with an SNP manifesto pledge in 2021.

The EIS claims there has been no progress in recent years towards resolving its concerns.

The union said: “Over the past four years, EIS negotiators have worked tirelessly in their attempts to push both (council umbrella body) Cosla and the Scottish government to make progress on the reduction in class contact time.

“These efforts have been consistently met with delay and obfuscation, as well as a lack of willingness on the other two sides of the SNCT [Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers] to ensure that the full reduction of time from teaching is properly re-allocated to address workload – that it is given to teachers for preparation and marking.”

Teachers in Scottish state schools are contracted to work for 35 hours a week.

This includes time in front of pupils and time for other professional duties, including marking and preparing lessons.

A cut in contact time to 21 hours a week would give teachers an extra 1.5 hours to prepare and correct work.

Reducing contact time would not necessarily have to mean changes to school hours.

For example, more teachers could be employed or primary pupils could spend more time with someone other than their main teacher.

The Scottish government insists it is committed to dealing with teachers’ concerns.

In November the Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth announced plans to deliver reduced class contact time.

Her proposals included changes to the working week, which could mean individual teachers would be in the classroom four days a week with the fifth spent on other professional activities.

She also suggested nationally agreed minimum standards on pupil learning hours, which could allow later start times, extended breaks or restructured school days.

At the time, Gilruth said the proposals demonstrated “clear commitment” to supporting teachers and improving education in Scotland.

“It is a statement of intent to empower Scotland’s teachers with the time, trust, and tools they need to deliver transformative learning,” she added.

“By investing in teacher capacity, the aim is to create richer learning experiences and raise standards for every learner.

“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.”

The rules on public sector strike action mean a significant proportion of union members have to back action – a simply majority is not enough.

The overall turnout needs to be above 50% and at least 40% of those asked to vote must support a strike.

Senior figures in the unions hope that even the risk of disruption in schools close to May’s Holyrood election would focus minds of Scottish government ministers on dealing with their concerns.

The other main teachers’ union, the SSTA, is also balloting its members on this issue. Its ballot is open until next week.