Ministerial meetings with trade unions: FOI release
- Published
- 16 October 2025
- Directorate
- Learning Directorate
- Topic
- Education, Public sector
- FOI reference
- FOI/202500473914
- Date received
- 1 July 2025
- Date responded
- 29 July 2025
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Information requested
Over the past two years, how many times the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, and (b) Minister for Higher and Further Education met with representatives from (i) Unison, (ii) Unite, (iii) EIS, and (iv) GMB; what the purpose of each meeting was; and who requested each meeting.
Response
I enclose a copy of all the information you requested in a document setting out each occasion that the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, and the Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans met with Unison, Unite, EIS and GMB from 1 July 2023 – 1 July 2025.
|
Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans – Mr. Dey – Meetings |
Date |
Purpose and Organiser |
|
Biannual Meeting - Unison |
05/10/2023 |
Jointly agreed regular engagement to discuss issues of concern within the sector. |
|
Biannual Meeting - Unison |
08/02/2024 |
Jointly agreed regular engagement to discuss issues of concern within the sector. |
|
Biannual Meeting - Unison |
02/10/2024 |
Jointly agreed regular engagement to discuss issues of concern within the sector. |
|
University of Dundee, meeting with Unions - Unison, Unite |
01/05/2025 |
To discuss the impact of the financial situation at the University of Dundee on University staff – Scottish Government |
|
University of Dundee, meeting with Unions - Unison, Unite |
15/05/2025 |
To discuss the impact of the financial situation at the University of Dundee on University staff – Scottish Government |
|
University of Dundee, meeting with Unions - Unison, Unite |
05/06/2025 |
To discuss the impact of the financial situation at the University of Dundee on University staff – Scottish Government |
|
University of Dundee, meeting with Unions - Unison, Unite |
19/06/2025 |
To discuss the impact of the financial situation at the University of Dundee on University staff – Scottish Government |
|
Meeting with Unions regarding Education Reform – Unison, Unite |
31/08/2023 |
Jointly agreed introductory meeting with Union representatives to outline Post-School Reform. |
|
Biannual Meeting – Unite |
18/01/2024 |
Jointly agreed regular engagement with Unite to discuss issues of concern within the sector workforce. |
|
Biannual Meeting – Unite |
30/10/2024 |
Jointly agreed regular engagement with Unite to discuss issues of concern within the sector workforce. |
|
Biannual Meeting – Unite |
15/05/2025 |
Jointly agreed regular engagement with Unite to discuss issues of concern within the sector workforce. |
|
Biannual Meeting – Unite |
05/06/2025 |
Jointly agreed regular engagement with Unite to discuss issues of concern within the sector workforce. |
|
Meeting with EIS and College Employers Scotland - EIS |
20/09/2023 |
Jointly Agreed - National College Pay Dispute |
|
Phone call with Garry Ross - EIS |
21/05/2024 |
Discussion on college lecturer pay negotiation progress – Scottish Government |
|
Phone call with Garry Ross - EIS |
28/05/2024 |
Discussion on college lecturer pay negotiation progress – Scottish Government |
|
Meeting with EIS and Unison – EIS and Unison |
29/05/2024 |
Jointly agreed meeting on FE National Collective Bargaining and Lessons Learned |
|
Meeting with EIS and College Employers Scotland - EIS |
19/08/2024 |
Jointly Agreed - National College Pay Dispute |
|
Meeting with GMB – GMB |
27/09/2023 |
DYW School Coordinator Funding - GMB |
|
Meeting with GMB - GMB |
28/01/2025 |
DYW School Coordinator Funding - GMB |
|
Cabinet Secretary for Educationand Skills – Ms. Gilruth - Meetings |
Date |
Purpose and Organiser |
|
Meeting regarding behaviour in schools - Unison |
03/04/2025 |
Jointly agreed meeting to discuss support staff training, healthcare and additional support needs along with workforce issues. |
|
Meeting regarding education reform – Unison, Unite |
04/06/2025 |
Jointly agreed meeting regarding education reform. |
|
EIS Bilateral Meeting – EIS |
09/05/2024 |
Long standing jointly agreed engagement: EIS Stand Up for Quality Education Campaign Teacher Numbers and Precarity of Teacher Contracts Education Reform National College Pay Dispute Strike (Minimum Service Levels) Bill |
|
EIS Dinner - EIS |
06/06/2024 |
Dinner hosted by EIS |
|
EIS Parliamentary Event - EIS |
10/12/2024 |
Parliamentary event hosted by EIS |
|
AGM - EIS |
05/06/2025 |
Annual General Meeting hosted by EIS |
|
Meeting with Teaching Unions regarding Education Reform - Unison, Unite |
19/09/2024 |
Jointly agreed meeting regarding education reform. |
|
Andrea Bradley, General Secretary, The Educational Institute of Scotland |
29/10/2024 |
Jointly agreed bilateral meeting on the subject of teacher workload |
|
Professional Associations Forum (PAF) Meeting - EIS |
08/10/2024 |
Jointly agreed engagement forum with teaching unions and professional associations. |
|
Meeting with Unions regarding Education Reform - Unison, Unite |
13/11/2024 |
Jointly agreed meeting regarding education reform. |
|
Professional Associations Forum (PAF) Meeting - EIS |
21/01/2025 |
Jointly agreed engagement forum with teaching unions and professional associations. |
|
Meeting with Teaching Unions regarding Education Reform – Unison, Unite |
22/01/2025 |
Jointly agreed meeting regarding education reform. |
|
Meeting with Teaching Unions regarding Education Reform - Unison, Unite |
28/01/2025 |
Jointly agreed meeting regarding education reform. |
|
University of Dundee, meeting with Unions - Unison, Unite |
14/03/2025 |
To discuss the impact of the financial situation at the University of Dundee on University staff – Scottish Government |
|
University of Dundee, meeting with Unions - Unison, Unite |
18/03/2025 |
To discuss the impact of the financial situation at the University of Dundee on University staff – Scottish Government |
|
Meeting with Teaching Unions regarding Education Reform - Unison, Unite |
01/04/2025 |
Jointly agreed meeting ahead of Stage 2 of the Education (Scotland) Bill to allow for further detail to be provided on potential amendments |
|
University of Dundee, meeting with Unions - Unison, Unite |
|
To discuss the impact of the financial situation at the University of Dundee on University staff – Scottish Government |
|
Meeting with Teaching Unions regarding Education Reform - Unison, Unite |
06/05/2025 |
Jointly agreed meeting regarding education reform. |
|
Professional Associations Forum (PAF) Meeting - EIS |
07/05/2025 |
Jointly agreed engagement forum with teaching unions and professional associations. |
|
University of Dundee, meeting with Unions - Unison, Unite |
15/05/2025 |
To discuss the impact of the financial situation at the University of Dundee on University staff – Scottish Government |
|
Bilateral Meeting with Unions |
03/06/2025 |
Jointly agreed bilateral meeting on the subject of educational reform |
|
University of Dundee, meeting with Unions - Unison, Unite |
05/06/2025 |
To discuss the impact of the financial situation at the University of Dundee on University staff – Scottish Government |
|
Meeting with Professional Associations to discuss recent legal judgements - EIS |
11/06/2025 |
To hear concerns from professional organisations – Scottish Government |
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG