Created on: 17 Jun 2016 | Last modified: 08 May 2023
The Educational Institute of Scotland is the longest established teachers' union in the world.
This video explains the benefits of being a member of Scotland's largest and most effective teaching trade union.
It highlights the important work of the EIS, with first-hand testimony from teachers and lecturers.
1. Biggest in Scotland
The EIS is the largest teacher trade union representing over 80% of Scotland’s teachers (8 out of 10 teachers and lecturers in Scotland are members of the EIS).
2. Scotland's most affordable teaching union
The EIS is free for all student members and remains free throughout your probation year and beyond. Our high membership density in Scotland makes us an affordable union to join.
3. Improving your Pay and Conditions
The EIS campaigns actively to secure and maintain professional salaries and improve conditions of services for all its members (the EIS has the overwhelming majority of members on the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers – SNCT).
4. Supporting your career development
As a professional organisation the EIS is committed to promoting opportunities for quality professional development for ALL teachers throughout their careers.
5. High quality legal and professional advice
Our solicitors and our network of EIS Representatives, Local Association Secretaries, Organisers and Area Officers are available to provide the highest quality support and advice when it is needed. We also provide EIS members with FREE legal advice on non-employment matters through our dedicated EIS legal helpline staffed by qualified lawyers, open 8am – 7pm 5 days a week.
6. Insurance covering all EIS members
The EIS provides four insurance policies to all members covering: Personal Effects, Malicious Damage to Motor Vehicles, Third Party Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance.
7. Professional Financial Advice
EIS Financial Services provides independent financial advice, a comprehensive range of insurance and other financial planning products exclusively to EIS members.
8. Leading on the key issues for education
A commitment to quality and equality across our education service is a hallmark of the EIS and its work in developing policies covering: Education, The Equality Agenda, Pay and Conditions of Service and all other areas of trade union work.
9. Campaigning on the things that matter to you
The EIS is a campaigning organisation that takes a lead on the big issues for education and teachers. The EIS runs major campaigns to protect education, deliver better opportunities for learners, and defend the pay and conditions of teachers.
10. Specialist discount scheme
The EIS offers all members access to a specialist discount scheme covering a large number of retail outlets in Scotland and the rest of the UK.