Should the three teacher unions merge? Peter Smith, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, told members at their annual conference in Cardiff that his and his counterparts’
retirement, all due by 2006, offered a “window of opportunity”. But did he carry his members with him?
GEOFF PYE, from the union’s Essex, Southend and Thurrock branch, said:
“There’s too much divergence of opinion - a lot of ATL members wouldn’t go on strike. I can’t honestly believe it would happen, although I think the unions should work more closely together in terms of pay claims and bargaining over terms and conditions. I would vote against merger.”
RICHARD HORNSHAW, a student member at Sunderland University, said: “Merger is a good idea, it will give a bigger collective voice.”
ZOE FAIL, a student member training at Greenwich University, London, said:
“Each union has strengths and weaknesses. I’ve got no firm views. I’ve joined all of them because it’s free membership. I’m seeing which one is going to be best for me.”
PAM WELLS, a physics teacher at Bury grammar school, Greater Manchester, said: “I don’t think it will happen. I hope there will be closer co-operation between the unions. But I think there is too big a gulf between ATL and some of the other unions. ATL has a conscience clause. If the other unions strike, you don’t have to, if you feel pupils will be disadvantaged.”
LIZ MARTIN, deputy head of Lanner primary, Redruth, Cornwall, said: “I’m not sure we are ready for a full merger. The unions seem to have different images. With ATL, a lot of people feel it’s professional, pro-education, not just for protecting the teachers.”
Karen Thornton
