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National Pay & Funding Dispute: First Day of Action 2024

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Despite the biting wind, our dedicated members showcased unwavering commitment as they turned out in impressive numbers on picket lines across all Edinburgh College campuses and at the National Rally yesterday. The collective strength displayed was heartening, with solidarity extending beyond our union to include support staff colleagues from Unison, ECSA/NUS reps, and students who stood shoulder to shoulder in a powerful demonstration of unity.              Students and their representatives from ECSA and NUS demonstrated a profound understanding the symbiotic nature of the relationship between their learning conditions and the working conditions of educators. This mutual recognition serves as a cornerstone for maintaining the relationships between the various stakeholders within the educational ecosystem.   In a remarkable display of unity, both our union and Unison stood on strike for the same reason—fair pay. However, it is evident that the broader issue lies in the urgent need fo
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Article reveals shocking email exchange:

The Edinburgh Evening News has revealed deeply concerning attitudes to staff and Trade Union representatives within the HR dept of Edinburgh College.  The article centres around the treatment of our Branch Secretary Penny Gower and the parallels with our colleague and EIS-FELA Health & Safety Rep Kevin Scally.  However unlike Kevin, Penny was eventually redployed into a lecturing post after the branch members overwhelmingly voted for strike action.   The following exerpt from the Evening News article reveals that redeployment was far from the colleges intention: " Ms Gower told the Evening News: “After I was told I was going to be made redundant I was encouraged to apply for a position at the commercial spa as a pool cleaner. I have cerebal palsy. I wouldn’t be able to do that job and they were well aware of that. This was discrimination, no doubt. It was a horrible time." But after finally being redeployed, Ms Gower, 73, then received a copy of an email from human resour
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Transparency and Accountability: Challenging Accusations in the Education Sector

In the world of education, open and honest communication is paramount. It serves as the foundation for trust among educators, students, and the community at large. Recently, allegations of dishonesty have emerged at Edinburgh College, prompting an important conversation about transparency and accountability. In this article, we consider the claims made by the Principal, exploring the need for documented evidence in a time when credibility and integrity are essential.   In recent days, the Edinburgh College community has been abuzz with discussions surrounding meetings held by the Principal, Audrey Cumberford. Several colleagues who attended these meetings reported that the Principal accused the EIS-FELA Branch officials, supported by the EIS main body, of 'lying' to members and students. Such accusations are serious and can have far-reaching consequences for both the institution's reputation and the trust that its stakeholders place in its leadership. Unlike the Principal,
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Unveiling the Controversy: Principal Audrey Cumberford's Impact on Scotland's Colleges

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Audrey Cumberford, Edinburgh College & Paul Little, City Glasgow College at the launch of the Cumberford Little Report February 2020   In the world of further education the role of a college principal is pivotal in shaping the future of institutions and the lives of those within them, and the communities they serve. One such figure, our Principal,  Audrey Cumberford now finds herself at the center of a storm of controversy. As the co-author of the Scottish Government-commissioned Cumberford/Little Report, Chair of the Scotland’s Colleges Principals Group, and a key player in decisions affecting jobs and course provisions, her actions have sparked outrage and concern among staff and students alike.   A Missed Opportunity for Change   Back in December 2022, a call went out to Principal Cumberford urging her to join forces with colleagues from the EIS, Unison and our dedicated students in lobbying the government for increased funding for colleges. Unfortunately her response was a fi
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