New education union on the cards

Tuesday, 13 July 2004 12:00 AM

The possibility of the creation of a new higher education union out of the AUT and NATFHE has moved a step closer.

In a joint statement, the unions' respective general secretaries said they are involved in "detailed joint work" which has the "ultimate objective of creating a single new union representing members in further and higher education".

General secretaries, Sally Hunt (AUT) and Paul Mackney (NATFHE) said: "This is an extremely welcome and positive development for all our members. A single new union will be a powerful force in representing and promoting the interests of the profession throughout further and higher education.

"The creation of a new education union of over 100,000 members within a tight but realistic timescale is an ambitious and exciting undertaking, but both unions are fully committed to ensuring the success of the talks and we are confident of achieving our joint objective."

The AUT has around 49,000 members and NATFHE 67,000, but both sides are keen to avoid any suggestion that the AUT is merging with the larger union.

The possibility of a new single union was raised formally earlier this year when the general secretaries addressed each others' conferences.

Events seem to be moving quickly with initial proposals expected to be put to the national executive committees of the two unions in October, with firm proposals for the creation of the new union going to AUT council and NATFHE conference in spring 2005.

If the proposals are passed by the conferences then members would be asked to formally agree to dissolve the current organisations and create a new union.

The TUC's general secretary, Brendan Barber, said he wished the process well and would be available to offer support if needed.

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