Corbynite Fire Fighter handed control of NASUWT teaching union - legal challenge

[noblegiraffe]

The NASUWT appeared to have lost its marbles recently and appointed, without challenge, Matt Wrack as general secretary to replace Patrick Roach.

Matt Wrack is good mates with Daniel Kebede of the NEU (prompting suspicions of a merger) and a Corbynite who attacked the use of 'so called antisemitism in Labour' to undermine Corbyn's leadership.

He's also the ex head of the Fire Brigade Union and has never been a teacher.

How the fuck did he end up General Secretary, without any votes being cast?

Anyway, there has been a legal challenge and nominations have re-opened. Apparently branch nominations are needed for proper candidates to stand against him, anyone know how that can happen? I've checked my email but can't see anything about it, or Wrack.

If I wanted to be in the NEU, I'd be in the NEU...

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/apr/27/teaching-union-reverses-matt-wrack-appointment-ahead-of-legal-challenge

Ridiculous. Democracy out of the window it seems

I really don't understand what has happened. Why did a firefighter suddenly decide he wanted to be in charge of a teachers' union, and why was he allowed to just walk in and take over? How is he eligible?

He lost the election to stay as GS of the FBU so I guess he was out of a job and looking for something to do!

Yeah but surely you can’t just shop around for a union and become head of it without any background in that workforce? And without consulting the members?

I mean, he’s not only not a teacher, politically he’s a bad fit. NASUWT isn’t a radical lefty union.

Another candidate was disqualified for not having the right credentials despite having actually been a teacher so there are some requirements.

The whole thing smells like a stitch-up.

Oh yes I completely agree. Of course the teachers union should be headed by someone who was a teacher. I think Matt Wrack made similar points about the FBU (ie that you have to have been a firefighter) so I’d be interested to see if he gets challenged about that.

Did he? Then he knows how ludicrous what he is doing is.

I've not seen anything from the union about this at all. What is going on?

Re elected after challenge

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/jul/23/matt-wrack-nasuwt-teaching-election-leadership

Tiny turnout. Tiny. So presumably the majority of members are disengaged with this or are they ok with it.

Or, from looking at the election materials, they didn't actually know that he has no background in teaching and is big mates with Kebede.

Hmmm

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/feb/07/almost-third-of-female-firefighters-have-faced-harassment-at-fbu-events-report-finds-union

Don't worry comradette teacher ladies, nothing like that will happen in your union now gen sec Wrack is in charge