Scotland's Largest Teaching Union
for the promotion of Sound Learning

Trade Unions Explained

The EIS is the oldest teachers' trade union in the world, but what does the term 'trade union' mean?

The basic principal of any trade union is that all workers deserve respect and dignity at work.  Through collective action, workers can join together to improve their working conditions, pay and rights at work.  By becoming a member of a trade union, like the EIS, you are standing shoulder to shoulder with colleagues and demonstrating to employers that you will fight injustice and discrimination.

Thanks to the work of trade unions, we now have certain standards in employment that did not exist before.  These include:

The EIS has successfully defended and advanced the cause of education and the interests of its members for over a hundred years.  If you are not already a member, please join via the link from this website.



The Educational Institute of Scotland , 46 Moray Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BH
T: +44 (0)131 225 6244, F: +44 (0)131 220 3151, enquiries@eis.org.uk