Which union?

[Smellslikebiscuits]

I need to join a union. Many, many years ago I was a member of the NASUWT, but gave up my membership when I moved overseas.
Which union are you a member of, and why?

NASUWT. I wouldn’t be a member of the NEU (amalgamation of NUT and ATL) because they have signed up to Paul Dix type behaviour bollocks, ban the booths etc.

NASUWT are still against pupils behaving badly and abusing teachers, so I’ll stick with them.

Usual advice is to see which union is best represented in your school though.

NASUWT here too. Always have been. We had a great rep at school but no longer the case but they are certainly the less wishy-washy union.

NUT and ATL seem like such odd bedfellows!

So looks like back to NASUWT

I’m NEU, was NUT.

Most of our teachers are, they usually strike-which I support, and our regional rep is superb.

I’m nasuwt, for reasons outlined above

I think it's important that the union has presence in your school. I've been NASUWT most of my career and have had good collective support from them.

NASUWT are the only union just for teachers. I've found them really helpful when I've rung national helpline... My local guy is pretty pointless thiugh!

NEU for me. However I think it does depend on how good your local rep is. And I'd not want to be the only person in one union whilst the rest of the staff are in another...

I'm Scotland and EIS.

I've found NEU to be amazing. The fact they are for teachers and support staff means that you can use collective actione really powerfully if the school is being mismanaged. We've been able to all take action in support of cleaners who were going to be outsourced, for example. In general though you are more protected by whichever union is dominant in your school. I'd say 90% of all staff, including support staff, are now NEU at my school and it really makes a difference to know we all have each others backs.

Agree with pp that the union presence in your school is important. If you would be one of a very small number in your union of choice, you won't be able to achieve all that much/have as much direct support as if it is a larger Union.