Following a ballot by members of the EIS trade union, strike action by teaching staff at Edinburgh Napier has been scheduled for Thursday 20th February 2020. Due to this action many classes may be cancelled and teaching staff may not be available on this date. While we are saddened that lecturers feel forced to take strike action, ENSA’s Executive supports these staff members and asks students to do so too.
Following a pay dispute between the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), the largest teaching union in Scotland, and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), lecturers at Universities across the country have voted to take strike action, including at Edinburgh Napier.
The first day of strike action, which may affect many students, is proposed for Thursday, 20th February 2020.
Due to this action many classes may be cancelled and teaching staff may not be available on this date.
Further dates for the strike have been scheduled on:
- Tuesday 25 February
- Monday 2 March
- Thursday 12 March
- Friday 13 March
ENSA's Student Executive have provided this statement in support of the proposed strike action:
"ENSA’s Statement in Support of EIS Strike Action
Lecturing staff at Edinburgh Napier University have voted to take official strike action in defence of their terms and conditions of employment. This decision has been taken as a result of a democratic ballot of members of the Edinburgh Napier branch of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and it has not been taken lightly. Strike action, which is planned to take place over a number of days in February and March, is likely to result in some disruption to classes, which will impact on Edinburgh Napier students.
Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association’s (ENSA’s) is an organisation that supports and defends the quality of student education and representation at Edinburgh Napier University. While it is saddened that lecturers feel forced to take strike action as a means of defending their terms and conditions, ENSA’s Executive also recognises that the students of Edinburgh Napier University have a legitimate need and right to expect a world class education, and that University management has a responsibility to support its teaching staff in delivering this. Increasing workloads, stress-related absences and high staff turnover make it difficult to meet students’ expectations, and lecturers who are over-worked and under-recognised cannot offer students the high quality education experience that they deserve.
ENSA’s elected Student Executive supports the planned official action of the EIS University Lecturers Association. It asks students to show their support for those lecturing staff on picket lines at campus entrances. It also encourages students to email the Principal to tell her the importance of having great teachers to improve the student experience at this University, and to urge her to support her academic staff by meeting the demands of the EIS.
ENSA Executive 18 February 2020"
If you would like to email the University Principal, you can do so at A.Nolan@napier.ac.uk.
We will continue to provide futher information about the situation as it is released. More info is also available on MyNapier.