is there an idiot's guide to choosing a teaching union?

[RevealTheHiddenBeach]

I'm a primary NQT, in the school I trained in. I got sent a pack of gumph from the NUT today (have just finished laughing my way through their workload policy), and it's been a bit of a prompt that I should get myself joined up to a union. I don't want to be blinded by the £1 joining deal, but is there an idiot's guide to choosing a union anywhere?!

I'm reluctant about strikes, and I trust my school, but want to have that back up for worst-case-scenarios etc. Any advice would be welcomed!

Go for whichever has best representation in your school, so ask your colleagues who they are with.

NUT are more prone to national strikes than the others, but if it comes to it, you can switch unions if you don't want to strike.

When I started teaching I was against striking too. Now I'm not.

Ditto the above.

I am with NASUWT. I was with them all as a student but joined NSUWT because at the time they had the best deal. Check out not just school rep but local rep - it makes a hell of a difference depending on your area rep.

My school is heavily NASUWT. A couple are NUT. But a colleague needed the NUT for some nasty stuff going on in school (she was ousted because HT didn't like her or her outspoken opinions) and they let her down. Whereas I needed NASUWT for similar things (workload mainly and pregnancy issues) and they were FAB!

But I am expecting fireworks on my return. There is a chill between us and there doesn't look like there will be a thaw yet!

Thank you both. I guess the fact that the local NUT rep has mailed me a pack and invited me to some drinks event highlights that they are fairly active?!

for you Lurking, I hope that things thaw quickly.