Education super-union launches after merger

A NEW education super-union comes into force across the UK today with more than 450,000 members, including more than 21,000 in-service members in Wales.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and National Union of Teachers (NUT) have merged to form the National Education Union – the largest education union in the UK.

In Wales it will be known as the National Education Union.

The new National Education Union represents education staff, from support staff to principals, across all sectors apart from the higher education sector. It includes members in maintained and independent schools and colleges and promises “a stronger voice in the education debate”.

Officials said in a launch statement: “Combining the expertise and experience of both ATL and the NUT, the National Education Union is committed to making the education sector a great place to work.

“It will continue to campaign for sustainable workloads, fight for a fairly funded education system and champion pay and working conditions.”

As is usual with union mergers, there will continue to be an ATL arm and an NUT arm until early 2019, Keith Bowen, ATL Cymru director, said.

Mr Bowen said issues at the top of the agenda in Wales were devolved pay and conditions for teachers and the changing education landscape from curriculum to qualifications.

“Welsh Government has a huge change agenda across education. I cannot think of any area where there is not agenda for change. We want to ensure the sector is supported.”