Teachers balloted over covid risk dispute

Education staff across Argyll and Bute are being balloted over a rejected request to teach on-line before and after Christmas to cut the risk of spreading covid.

 

The Argyll and Bute Local Association of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) opened a consultative ballot of all its members today,  Tuesday December 15.

 

Argyll and Bute Council rejected a request by the EIS  to move teaching and learning to remote online platforms for the pre and post-Christmas period to minimise the risk of spreading infection.

 

The EIS is also claiming the council  failed to consider moving to blended or remote learning as a consequence of schools operating in a Level Four area of COVID restrictions.

 

The ballot states that the Local Association believes this to be indicative of the council failing to fully exercise its duty of care to staff.

 

All EIS members employed by Argyll & Bute  across early years, primary and secondary schools have until noon on Friday December 18 to take part in the ballot before it closes.

 

Members are being consulted on whether the Local Association should declare a formal trade dispute with the employer, the Local Association Executive is recommending a ‘Yes’ vote.

 

If there is a mandate to declare a dispute with the employer, this declaration will be made before the EIS decide on issuing a further consultative ballot on industrial action.

 

Willie Hamilton, EIS Argyll & Bute Local Association Secretary, said: 'The 2020-21 school year has been a difficult and long session for teachers and all education staff - as they coped with the changes, disruptions and stresses of teaching full classes and timetables during the pandemic.

 

'Many are exhausted – both physically and emotionally and are looking forward to sharing the Christmas break with family and loved ones.  A move to use of remote platforms for a limited period would allow staff to feel that they can safely enter a Christmas bubble and safely see or visit family over Christmas.

 

'It would follow Scottish Government advice to limit interactions before forming a Christmas bubble in order to minimise coronavirus infections. It would also limit interactions in the 14 day period after the end of the Christmas bubble in accordance with the Scottish Government advice that every effort is made to ensure that senior leadership teams and school staff get a proper break.'