Private school and union membership

[tomhazard]

I work in a small non selective indie. I have been here for 1 year and am set to continue in September. Always used to work in state and had union membership.

Now, this school doesn't outwardly
Support union membership and other staff members (lots of old timers) are not in one.

I am uncomfortable with this, and also think the school is a bit of a law unto itself with regards to employment and treatment of teachers.
Would you just join a union anyway, just incase or does a school have to support membership of it?

[JimmyGrimble]

You join the union of your choice. It's nothing to do with the school and it could really help you if it all goes tits up. A bit of a 'law unto itself' you say? I wonder why they don't want staff to be in a union?

[DioneTheDiabolist]

Definitely join a union OP. You will hopefully probably find that other teachers there are also members. They just don't broadcast it.

[RancidOldHag]

Teachers in the private sector are usually in unions, but typically they choose the ones with a 'conscience clause' making strike action non-binding.

[JimmyGrimble]

So they can have their cake and eat it too ....

[greenlanes]

What union do you recommend for support staff in an indie school? I am new to the sector and my school and it just isnt discussed. Any help appreciated.

[tomhazard]

Law unto itself indeed. It's a horrible school and I don't like working there but it's all I've got at the moment and I need to do another year really to avoid looking like a job hopper! (Was abroad on an extended mat leave year before this).
I'm not interested in strike but I am worried about they way they recruit and dismiss teachers, the head is unpredictable and the parents can be difficult.
Thank you - I will join a union today!

[LartenCrepsley]

I also work at an independent school. I’ve always been NUT (and I’m very vocal about it!) and now I’m NUT section of the NEU. Most of my colleagues were ATL members, so now we’re all in the NEU. All our teachers are in a union and many of our non-teaching staff are, too.



Our head/owner also discourages union membership.