Union defends invite to Russell

The Herald reports 

"A TEACHERS' union has defended its decision to invite Education Secretary Michael Russell to address its annual conference."

It is an interesting move by the EIS and the new General Secretary as the EIS has never asked a politician to address conference before with Larry Flanagan quoted as saying.. "The EIS has always been proud of its political independence which is highlighted by the fact we remain free from any party-political affiliation."

and Mike Russell with "I'm very conscious of the honour. I'm looking forward to speaking, but also listening. I speak to the EIS regularly and we have a good relationship. There is a very different atmosphere from down south and a very different set of policies."

The Herald concludes with ..

"The NUT this spring carried a vote of no confidence in Westminster Education Minister Michael Gove."

It is interesting that Mike Russell says that he speaks with the EIS regularly and that "we have a good relationship" when at the EIS FELA Conference this motion was passed...

Resolution 2
"That this EIS-FELA Annual Conference expresses no confidence in:  the Scottish Government, the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning in their stewardship of the college sector, which has led to significant cuts  leading to a diminished colleges offering far fewer opportunities to young people and adult returners it serves.”

Read the Herald Article here

Read the FELA Annual Conference Resolutions 2013

Coming soon - The Resolutions that were not passed!