which teaching Union?

[321cba]

I'm currently part of all of the unions as a student. I think I've ruled out nut but can't decide between the others. No one Union is particularly supported in my school. Are there particular benefits from choosing one over another?

[GinandJag]

I'm only in a union for the insurance. I think they are all the same in that regard. I am not interested in activism.

[RancidOldHag]

Key thing might be whether you want to be bound by strike ballots or would prefer to have a conscience clause.

[321cba]

I don't want to strike which is why nut is out

[GinandJag]

I was in ATL as they were non-striking and had an independent section. However, they let me down when I needed them. I have switched to Nasties, but have no idea what they stand for. As a science teacher, I need insurance and that is my only reason for joining a union.

[soapboxqueen]

In general I would say, which ever union is most prevalent in your workplace, except ATL. They are pap.

I've always been NASUWT and often the only one but they've always been great support wise.

[Ilikesweetpeas]

Why are ATL rubbish? That's what I'm in, I've never needed my union support but would hope it was there if the need arose,

[Roseformeplease]

Voice - no striking and brilliant when I needed them

[balia]

Most teaching unions are currently involved in industrial action though - is it just striking you are opposed to?

[soapboxqueen]

I don't know how they manage it but they seem to be. Never met a teacher that held ATL in any high regard except for those that were in it. Then when they needed them, they were let down atrociously. Funnily enough each time it happened, said member of staff changed unions.

When our whole school was going through a difficult time the ATL representative was outclassed by a country mile in comparison with NUT, NASUWT and UNISON.

[soapboxqueen]

I'm no expert on NUT but you don't have to strike if you don't want to. I know plenty of staff in NUT who have refused to strike.

[chandelierswinging]

Another Voice member here. I'm in the minority with this in my workplace but, like you, strike action was an issue for me, hence my decision.

[RancidOldHag]

"I'm no expert on NUT but you don't have to strike if you don't want to. I know plenty of staff in NUT who have refused to strike."

If you join a union that has binding strike votes and then refuse to participate, there is only one word for you: scab.

NUT has binding strike votes and no conscience clause. The NUT does not tell its members they they don't have to of they don't want to; its ethic is collective action.

Those who want to exercise individual conscience even after a vote to strike can, should (and generally do) join one of the unions that offers this.

#This TES page might be useful for other I for on the various unions (though last updated 2013)

[Leslieknope45]

I'm sure I heard ATL was joining NUT

[soapboxqueen]

Rancid I honestly assumed that it was an individual decision due to the numerous NUT members who had specifically said it was their choice as stated by NUT policy.

Not that it makes any difference to me as I'm NASUWT and a 'one of all out' sort of gal.

[SpearmintLino]

Join the one that has the best representation in your NQT school, I would suggest.

[321cba]

How do you find out who people support in your school? Do I just ask them?

[soapboxqueen]

Yes. Just ask who the union rep or reps are and they should be able to give you numbers or a proportion of the staff.

[321cba]

So I've asked and no one had any clue about what unions. There are certainly no reps...

[MrsGuyOfGisbo]

NASUWT - they have fantastic training days. The behaviour mgmt I use daily (and very effective - needs to be as I am supply teacher) is all down to what I learnt on NASUWT free weekend courses in lovely hotels.
I am still also in NUT as I keep forgetting to cancel the direct debit but 'my' union is NASUWT.

[SpeakNoWords]

I was a member of Voice, in a tiny minority in my school, as I didn't want to strike. They were very responsive with help when I needed it, and proactively contacted me when major changes happened at school.

I would suggest asking the Head's secretary who the union reps are - they should have some idea! At my school, the union reps would introduce themselves to the new NQTs at the start of the year, and then regularly send out emails to staff with info. At the start of each term they would email round again to introduce themselves to any new staff.

[Cleebope]

Still laughing at Ginandjag's Nasties.. I wanna be in that Union for sure!

[FannyGlum]

I've been a member of ATL, Nasuwt and I now work for the NUT. I used to have similar views about NUT, but considering the way teaching is going recently I'm not sure a softly, softly approach is the way forward. Technically the Voice aren't a trade union.

Union membership shouldn't just be about insurance, it should be about cooperating with other employees and your employer to make work fairer. I've seen plenty of informal, non strike action that has achieved good results by groups of NUT members.

[Lemonsole]

I'm ATL. They were great when I was working in the private sector and my school tried to shaft me over my return after mat leave. Didn't let me down.

[RobotMenu]

If you aren't prepare to strike, I hope you don't take on the benefits that your Union has fought for.

[321cba]

Robot do all unions strike though I didn't think they did. So the progress they've made hasn't been through striking then