Teaching Unions

[midagetrolop]

My son has just become an NQT and is being pestered by different unions. Any of you teachers out there - please advise him on the best ones to join.

[Buenchico]

It depends upon what you mean by 'best'. I was regional secretary for the Professional Association of Teachers for several years, because I believe in their policy of always putting children first and refusing to go on strike. PAT has now become Voice:
http://www.voicetheunion.org.uk/
(Voice's strength is largely within primary education, but there's a growing membership within the secondary and tertiary fields. The union is sometimes referred to as 'right wing' by the media but it's constitutionally an apolitical organisation).

If your son's political views are strongly to the left, the NUT might be the best union for him:
http://www.teachers.org.uk/
(The NUT is well-represented within both primary and secondary schools).

The NUT's big rival within the secondary sector is NASUWT:
http://www.nasuwt.org.uk/index.htm
It tends to be favoured by the Guardian-reading brigade. (The NUT is closer to the Socialist Worker)

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers has its roots in the old grammar schools. It was formed by the amalgamation of the Association of Assistant Masters in Secondary Schools and the Association of Assistant Mistresses (plus a later name change). Members are almost entirely within the secondary or tertiary sectors, particularly in the remaining grammar schools or in tertiary colleges. It also has plenty of members in the independent sector. Like Voice, it doesn't side with any political party (other than on specific issues relevant to education).
http://www.atl.org.uk/

Chris

[factor-fiction]

Has he just finished his PGCE/BEd and gained QTS this summer and is he about to start his NQT year? If so, ATL membership will be free in his NQT year. Not sure whether others are free.
Or has he now completed his NQT year? If so was he in a union during his NQT year

[Lil O'lady]

He needs to find out who is giving the best service in the school or area he works in. Over the years I have been in all of the unions mentioned by Chris above, apart from PAT, and I have had both good and poor service from them. They are all very dependent on the individuals representing them doing a job of work - and being people, they may be too timid to confront management, too dim to grasp what's wrong, too judgemental of individuals or simply overwhelmed by the task. Some reps do not fully realise that the job involves more than recruiting members and giving out news bulletins, and get cold feet when called on to deal with problems.

[thugulike]

I negotiate with all the unions. Where I live and work the best unions are NUT and ATL.

[midagetrolop]

He is in his first NQT year, many thanks to all from my son he is looking over all your suggestions. Thanks again to you all.