Why join a Why join a union? union?

Eastern region NUT Eastern region NUT Suffolk Division Suffolk Division

September 2005September 2005

Why pay good money to Why pay good money to join a union?join a union?

Because unions: Because unions: Provide information (Provide information (Suffolk NQT leaflet)Suffolk NQT leaflet) Support members in difficultySupport members in difficulty Work for healthier & safer workplaces Work for healthier & safer workplaces Negotiate on behalf of membersNegotiate on behalf of members Work for better training Work for better training Provide members with valuable Provide members with valuable

servicesservices Campaign for teachers and educationCampaign for teachers and education

But what can go wrong?But what can go wrong?

Contract – fixed-term? PPA + 10%Contract – fixed-term? PPA + 10% Pay – correct starting payPay – correct starting pay Unfair treatment – lack of support / not Unfair treatment – lack of support / not

getting your entitlement to InSeT, etcgetting your entitlement to InSeT, etc Complaints from parents or pupilsComplaints from parents or pupils Disciplinary actionDisciplinary action Legal responsibilities – taking trips, etcLegal responsibilities – taking trips, etc

Or you can just seek Or you can just seek adviceadvice

What about maternity / paternity leave?What about maternity / paternity leave? What can you request for personal What can you request for personal

leave?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 What time off are you entitled to for

interview?interview? What courses are available?What courses are available? Just how much do I have to plan / write Just how much do I have to plan / write

for reports?for reports?

Teacher unions Teacher unions campaigncampaign

To influence Government nationally & To influence Government nationally & locallylocally

for better salaries & conditionsfor better salaries & conditions against Government plans to worsen against Government plans to worsen

teachers pension rightsteachers pension rights Part of a world TU movement – Amnesty Part of a world TU movement – Amnesty

International International Charitable work – MakePovertyHistory / Charitable work – MakePovertyHistory /

Send my friend to school.Send my friend to school.

MakePovertyHistory –MakePovertyHistory –Edinburgh July 2005Edinburgh July 2005

Why join a union when Why join a union when there’s the GTC ?there’s the GTC ?

General Teaching Council’s (GTC) functions are General Teaching Council’s (GTC) functions are different from a teacher uniondifferent from a teacher union

The majority of GTC members aren’t teachersThe majority of GTC members aren’t teachers The GTC regulates whether teachers should The GTC regulates whether teachers should

continue to teach & advises Government on continue to teach & advises Government on professional matters professional matters

Unions represent members salary, conditions & Unions represent members salary, conditions & other issuesother issues

Unions belong to the members who determine Unions belong to the members who determine policypolicy

You belong to a union, you You belong to a union, you registerregister with the GTC with the GTC

Other Union ServicesOther Union Services

Unions may offerUnions may offer

Financial (insurance, mortgages, Financial (insurance, mortgages, credit cards, loans etc)credit cards, loans etc)

Legal helpLegal help

Professional & personal trainingProfessional & personal training

Other Union Services; Other Union Services; legallegal

Unions may offerUnions may offer

qualified caseworkers & solicitors. The NUT qualified caseworkers & solicitors. The NUT Regional Office give expert advice on Regional Office give expert advice on professional & other matters, including professional & other matters, including employment law employment law

The NUT work with Thomson Solicitors to The NUT work with Thomson Solicitors to give members non work related legal give members non work related legal services services

The NUT employ specialist local lawyers The NUT employ specialist local lawyers where teachers face Police interview or where teachers face Police interview or criminal chargescriminal charges

Other Union Services; Other Union Services; trainingtraining

Unions may offerUnions may offer

professional development focused on professional development focused on teaching & learningteaching & learning

local training to meet teacher needslocal training to meet teacher needs

Some current issues for Some current issues for teacher unionsteacher unions

Workforce remodelling has resulted in Workforce remodelling has resulted in differences between the teacher unions about differences between the teacher unions about

Who teaches whole classes? qualified teachers Who teaches whole classes? qualified teachers or teaching assistants / cover supervisors?or teaching assistants / cover supervisors?

Replacing Management allowances with Replacing Management allowances with Teaching & Learning responsibilities & the Teaching & Learning responsibilities & the impact on teachers & pupilsimpact on teachers & pupils

Protecting teaching assistants from Protecting teaching assistants from exploitation exploitation

For further informationFor further information

- see the NUT website- see the NUT website www.teachers.org.www.teachers.org.ukuk

- and the Suffolk NUT website:- and the Suffolk NUT website:

www.suffolknut.org.ukwww.suffolknut.org.ukor contact or contact

the Regional NUT office 01638 555300 or the Regional NUT office 01638 555300 or Suffolk NUT 01284 763980Suffolk NUT 01284 763980

Membership Hotline: 0845 300 1669Membership Hotline: 0845 300 1669

KEB 14.09.2005KEB 14.09.2005MJG 18.09.2005MJG 18.09.2005

.

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 RoadBURY ST EDMUNDS

IP33 3RXTel/FAX: 01284 763980

secretary@suffolknut.org.uk

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