New job new union?

[euryec]

Do you need to be a member of a union when returning to teaching? Would you/when do you ask colleagues at your new school which union they’re in?

You don’t need to be a member but I would strongly recommend it.
Schools usually have union reps, you will probably be told who these are on your first day.

Please please please join a union. I'm a union rep and it gives me the horrors when people aren't in one. Heaven forbid you ever need us... but if you do, you'll be so glad we're here.
Schools should have a union noticeboard somewhere.

I second what Mrs Hamlet said. Think of being in a union as like an insurance policy. You hope you'll never have to use it, but if you do you'll be glad it's there. Personally, I wouldn't set foot in school without being a union member.