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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

Changing Union to strike

40 replies

proseccodreamz · 16/01/2023 12:05

I'm a member of NASWT but was understandably disappointed with the vote on industrial action. I am considering changing to NEU as it looks likely they will be striking. If I change unions now would I be able to legally strike? I feel very strongly about this issue and do not want to be going into work when my colleagues are striking.

OP posts:
Ceruleanmoon · 16/01/2023 16:23

I'm in the same position as you. The NEU rep at my school said I'd be welcome to switch unions and join the NEU members on the picket line. I'm seriously considering switching as feel so strongly about the strike. I was going to wait for the ballot result at 5pm and then look at switching unions.

Ceruleanmoon · 16/01/2023 16:25

From what I've read, we can't legally strike with NEU members as NASUWT members, but switching unions would make us joining the strike legal.

phlebasconsidered · 16/01/2023 16:43

I am going to swap. No way am I going in while others strike. I've been appalled by the ballot for the NASWUT.

MrsHamlet · 16/01/2023 18:21

You can be a member of more than one union

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 16/01/2023 18:33

You can join both unions and strike as NEU. Or you can leave NASUWT and join NEU and strike. You can join NEU the day before the strike, and strike.

And you don't have to tell your head or anyone what you are doing, although your NEU rep in school would know you are now a member.

Tarrarra · 16/01/2023 19:19

I’ve swapped to NEU. Some colleagues are just going to join for a month then cancel as they’ve paid a yearly subscription to NASUWT .

OutDamnedSpot · 16/01/2023 19:40

I was coming on to ask exactly this. Thanks OP. I’ll be joining NEU.

SpringIntoChaos · 16/01/2023 19:58

Absolutely swap!! If you do it by 1st Feb you can legally strike. 9 of our teachers in school are in the NASUWT and 7 of them are swapping to NEU to strike. 2 aren't sure/haven't decided yet, but that will still be 18 out of 20 out on the picket line. Strength in numbers and all that 💪💪💪💪💪

WeAreAllLionesses · 16/01/2023 20:39

I am an NEU rep and have already seen numbers increasing - as soon as the NASUWT didn't get the numbers it started then.

TheZeppo · 16/01/2023 20:41

I swapped today.
bring it on!

Greywhippet · 17/01/2023 19:24

You can swap union (I just have) or join more the NEU as well

OutDamnedSpot · 17/01/2023 19:57

I’d love to know how many new members NEU have today.

phlebasconsidered · 17/01/2023 19:58

Swapping was easy- the NEU were on it.
Got a message from NASWUT saying they were experiencing a high volume of membership queries when I emailed to cancel. I will chase them up.

Anothernameanother · 18/01/2023 07:45

NEU will be very keen for people to swap. They know that people swapping now will very likely be supportive of strikes, And more likely to vote for future strikes. It strengthens their position as a union. Conversely, it weakens nasuwt as remaining members are more likely to be non-strikers. It will cement the idea of NEU being the striking union.

Theimpossiblegirl · 18/01/2023 20:22

I came into the staff room to ask exactly this. Do I just cancel one and join the other?
Do I need to inform HMRC? I claim the little bit of tax for fees.

MrsHamlet · 18/01/2023 20:26

You can be in more than one union.
You will need to notify HMRC because the tax implication might be different

Mrstumbletap · 21/01/2023 18:08

You can just cancel your subscription to any union and strike.

Or join Edapt which is much cheaper and then strike.

WeAreAllLionesses · 21/01/2023 21:06

@OutDamnedSpot approx 12k this week, guessing a major % from NASUWT.

Notsodaftrow · 22/01/2023 14:42

Be careful changing unions - the one that did scrap just scrap through, who aggressively contacted members, are only offering 4 days unpaid strike days and as I can see no other plans after that - I've been watching this as a teacher and I am definitely sticking to the NASUWT who are going again but offering Action short of strike action - so no need to loose pay but working to rule ! I know which I would prefer.

Notsodaftrow · 22/01/2023 14:43

Is that the new union > I have heard no real education knowledge

Notsodaftrow · 22/01/2023 14:44

Actually NASUWT has announced its going again - so becareful on decisions you make

Notsodaftrow · 22/01/2023 14:46

think hard before you do ..... as far as I can see no real after plans other than 3 days un paid leave !

Notsodaftrow · 22/01/2023 14:50

NASUWT is holding industrial action in Northern Ireland/ Scotland and The Isle of Man as we speak - so do be carful what you read before you leave your unions

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 22/01/2023 18:48

Notsodaftrow · 22/01/2023 14:42

Be careful changing unions - the one that did scrap just scrap through, who aggressively contacted members, are only offering 4 days unpaid strike days and as I can see no other plans after that - I've been watching this as a teacher and I am definitely sticking to the NASUWT who are going again but offering Action short of strike action - so no need to loose pay but working to rule ! I know which I would prefer.

Working to rule does not exist in UK law anymore, so I very much doubt NASUWT is offering that. What they are offering is "action short of a strike" which could actually be significantly detrimental and difficult to stick to. They could ask you, for example, to do no marking or assessment for a whole term. I know that would be far more detrimental to my classes than short periods of strike action.

NEU local branches have hardship funds for those who need them, so if teachers are concerned about the loss of 4 days pay, there is an option to get support locally.

The NEU hope that their current plans will lead to a resolution of the dispute. I know that we all probably think that is unlikely, but they do not want to announce lots of strike dates when the hope is that the government could announce something new for teachers or schools in the budget.

In terms of "being careful" when switching, from the point of view of striking, people have nothing to lose, and can be a member of both, anyway.

TheNefariousOrange · 22/01/2023 20:02

Notsodaftrow · 22/01/2023 14:42

Be careful changing unions - the one that did scrap just scrap through, who aggressively contacted members, are only offering 4 days unpaid strike days and as I can see no other plans after that - I've been watching this as a teacher and I am definitely sticking to the NASUWT who are going again but offering Action short of strike action - so no need to loose pay but working to rule ! I know which I would prefer.

Working to rule doesn't really work in teaching. Only 1 hour per week of my workload is added extra e.g. a club I run. Everything else is in my contract and I will definitely lose my job for not doing it