The NUT and UCU have a partnership agreement which strengthens our work on behalf of teachers in all sectors of education.

The partnership agreement recognises the UCU as the organising union in higher education, further education and adult and continuing education (ACE) colleges and the NUT as the organising union in schools and other institutions educating school age children and in sixth form colleges.

The agreement provides for joint membership arrangements, so that NUT and UCU members who move to institutions where the other union is the organising union can stay in membership of their existing union but also take up joint membership of the organising union. Both unions encourage their members to take up joint membership in such circumstances.

The two unions believe that children, young people and adults deserve the best education service. To secure this, we believe that there has to be the maximum possible professional unity amongst teachers and lecturers in the education sector and their unions. Working together, we are stronger.

The full text of the agreement can be found here.

Members who wish to register under the terms of the agreement should print off, fill in and send this form to RSS.

2 July 2009 saw the launch of an historic partnership between the NUT and the University and College Union (UCU). The partnership, launched at the TUC, brings together half a million education professionals to stand up for education.

Speaking at the launch event, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said, “it is always a delight to see unions committing themselves to working together more closely.”  Brendan described the partnership as “highly desirable” and stressed the importance of all public service unions speaking up and campaigning with a very strong voice.

NUT General Secretary Christine Blower said that the partnership formed part of the union’s commitment to professional unity, “Half a million education professionals will be a force to be reckoned with. This partnership covers education from the cradle to the grave, from early years, through schools, colleges and universities into adult education and lifelong learning.”

UCU General Secretary Sally Hunt said that the agreement showed the commitment of both unions to concentrate on the concerns of their membership and not compete with each other. She said that two strong unions working together would be vital to standing up for education and education professionals.