Created on: 02 Feb 2024
Earlier this week, in a first for Scotland's independent school sector, a historic recognition agreement was signed between Hutchesons' Grammar School – an independent school in Glasgow – and teacher trade unions, including the EIS.
In entering into the agreement, Hutchesons' has become the first independent school in Scotland to formally recognise teacher trade unions for collective bargaining purposes. The agreement follows a dispute over pensions which led to a campaign of trade union industrial action at the school.
EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, "The historic trade union recognition agreement was fully concluded and signed on Tuesday 30th January 2024 between Hutchesons' Educational Trust, the Educational Institute of Scotland, the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association and NASUWT Scotland.
"The EIS congratulates all members, and recently elected reps, for ensuring the outcome of 2023’s pensions' dispute and associated strike action marks a positive way forward within the school. Collective bargaining will promote better industrial relations and improve teachers’ morale in the school going forward.
"We look forward to supporting members and reps as they begin collective bargaining arrangements for the first time ever in any independent school in Scotland. That is a key factor in gauging the sector’s commitment to Scotland being a Fair Work nation."