Why join a union? Eastern region NUT Suffolk Division September 2005

Why pay good money to join a union? Because unions: Provide information (Suffolk NQT leaflet) Provide information (Suffolk NQT leaflet)Suffolk NQT leaflet)Suffolk NQT leaflet) Support members in difficulty Support members in difficulty Work for healthier & safer workplaces Work for healthier & safer workplaces Negotiate on behalf of members Negotiate on behalf of members Work for better training Work for better training Provide members with valuable services Provide members with valuable services Campaign for teachers and education Campaign for teachers and education

But what can go wrong? Contract – fixed-term? PPA + 10% Contract – fixed-term? PPA + 10% Pay – correct starting pay Pay – correct starting pay Unfair treatment – lack of support / not getting your entitlement to InSeT, etc Unfair treatment – lack of support / not getting your entitlement to InSeT, etc Complaints from parents or pupils Complaints from parents or pupils Disciplinary action Disciplinary action Legal responsibilities – taking trips, etc Legal responsibilities – taking trips, etc

Or you can just seek advice What about maternity / paternity leave? What about maternity / paternity leave? What can you request for personal leave? What can you request for personal leave? You are ill, what sick pay do you get? You are ill, what sick pay do you get? What time off are you entitled to for interview? What time off are you entitled to for interview? What courses are available? What courses are available? Just how much do I have to plan / write for reports? Just how much do I have to plan / write for reports?

Teacher unions campaign  To influence Government nationally & locally  for better salaries & conditions  against Government plans to worsen teachers pension rights  Part of a world TU movement – Amnesty International  Charitable work – MakePovertyHistory / Send my friend to school.

MakePovertyHistory – Edinburgh July 2005

Why join a union when there’s the GTC ?  General Teaching Council’s (GTC) functions are different from a teacher union  The majority of GTC members aren’t teachers  The GTC regulates whether teachers should continue to teach & advises Government on professional matters  Unions represent members salary, conditions & other issues  Unions belong to the members who determine policy  You belong to a union, you register with the GTC

Other Union Services Unions may offer Financial (insurance, mortgages, credit cards, loans etc) Financial (insurance, mortgages, credit cards, loans etc) Legal help Legal help Professional & personal training Professional & personal training

Other Union Services; legal Unions may offer  qualified caseworkers & solicitors. The NUT Regional Office give expert advice on professional & other matters, including employment law  The NUT work with Thomson Solicitors to give members non work related legal services  The NUT employ specialist local lawyers where teachers face Police interview or criminal charges

Other Union Services; training Unions may offer professional development focused on teaching & learning professional development focused on teaching & learning local training to meet teacher needs local training to meet teacher needs

Some current issues for teacher unions Workforce remodelling has resulted in differences between the teacher unions about Workforce remodelling has resulted in differences between the teacher unions about  Who teaches whole classes? qualified teachers or teaching assistants / cover supervisors?  Replacing Management allowances with Teaching & Learning responsibilities & the impact on teachers & pupils  Protecting teaching assistants from exploitation

For further information - see the NUT website and the Suffolk NUT website: or contact the Regional NUT office or Suffolk NUT Membership Hotline: KEB MJG

. Guidance for Newly Qualified Teachers Congratulations and welcome to Suffolk! Your first year in teaching will be hard work, but it should be a happy, positive experience. Suffolk LEA supports you but things can go less smoothly than hoped. This leaflet explains what you should expect and what to do if you experience any difficulty: if in doubt, contact the NUT! Published by Suffolk NUT 1 Gainsborough Road BURY ST EDMUNDS IP33 3RX Tel/FAX: < Back