The move follows a vote of ATL and NUT members, in which an 'overwhelming majority' said they were in favour of joining to form a new union.
Named the National Education Union, the new union will come into existence on 1 September 2017. It will represent teachers, support staff, lecturers and leaders working in state-funded and independent schools and colleges.
With more than 450,000 members, it will be the fourth largest trade union in the UK and the biggest union of teachers and education professionals in Europe.
ATL’s general secretary Mary Bousted and NUT’s general secretary Kevin Courtney will remain as joint general secretaries until July 2023 when there will be an election for one general secretary of the new union.
Ms Bousted said, ‘This an historic moment. I am delighted that both ATL and NUT members have voted to come together to form the National Education Union. With nearly half a million members, we will speak with a stronger voice on behalf of education professionals and the children, young people and adults they support. The Government will need to listen when we speak on the key issues facing education – funding cuts, excessive workloads, the recruitment and retention crisis, the chaotic exam reform, and accountability.
‘The new union will combine ATL’s diversity of members, training and policy expertise with the NUT’s lobbying and effective local activity. It will be the largest union in most schools, bringing together everyone in their workplaces - teachers, lecturers, support staff, heads and managers – and empowering them to share their expertise and improve their working lives.’
Mr Courtney said, ‘This a fantastic result for members of both unions and for education. For too long, Governments have played divide and rule amongst education unions. Today marks the beginning of the end of that. The NUT and ATL both have proud histories, but speaking with one voice we will be a stronger force standing up for education, teachers, the wider education profession and for the children and young people we teach. The National Education Union will be a game changer in the education landscape and I am delighted to be jointly leading it forward over the coming months and years.’
