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How many members are in EIS FELA now?
24/02/2014 00:00
The EIS (Educational Institute of Scotland) is the main trade union in Scottish Education sectors although it could be losing its’ foothold in Higher Education to the UCU?
But what is the position in Further Education?
The EIS - Further Education Lecturers' Association (EIS - FELA).
EIS-FELA
• has autonomy in relation to FE matters. (?)
• membership comes through College Branch Membership and is open to any lecturer employed in Further Education.
• Branches are defined by College with a Branch Committee.
o Branch Committees are elected from within the College, are not employees of the EIS but are supported by an EIS Fulltime Area Officer.
o Salaries and Terms & Conditions of Employment are matters for local negotiation. (A return to National Bargaining is currently being explored)
• Executive Committee is elected annually, on a regional basis, from nominated members in colleges.
• Executive has two sub-committees
o Salaries and Conditions of Service
o Education and Equality
• holds an annual conference February/March
• has 6 seats on EIS Council (changing to 10 ? - 2014?)
EIS-FELA Membership!
We have seen lecturing posts decimated over the past few years through cuts, VS and a reduction in temporary and part-time posts with a serious impact on FELA membership not only in numbers but in experience!
The following figures were obtained from the EIS!
Year Members
2009 5,332.
2010 5,304 -28
2011 4,941 -363
2012 4,723 -218
2013 4,474 -249
The total reduction in membership since 2009, from the figures given, is 858!
We note that the EIS is seemingly unable, or unwilling, to provide any further breakdown in terms of membership including by college or gender.
A strange position as it should hold membership details by College for the purposes of ballots and we would have thought that in terms of equality it would be prudent to have a gender breakdown!
More to come.....
The EIS Website is here (Opens in a new Tab/Window)
EIS FELA (Opens in a new Tab/Window)
Scottish Education Journal (Opens in a new Tab/Window)
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