Can I join more than one teaching union?

Can I join more than one teaching union is a question which is often asked by trainee teachers.

With a range of teaching unions and organisations to choose from, it can often be baffling to decide between them.

Often there are a range of promotional stands from the National Education Union (NEU), the NASUWT, Edapt, Community and other organisations at trainee teacher conferences and events.

The NEU, NASUWT, ASCL and NAHT are trade unions whereas Edapt is an independent organisation. It is worth noting that ASCL and NAHT are leadership unions aimed at supporting staff in senior positions.

Even experienced school staff might ask can I join more than one teaching union?

Can I join more than one teaching union as a trainee teacher?

Yes, you are able to join more than one teaching union as a member of school staff.

When I was a trainee teacher I was encouraged to join all the teaching unions (as they all offered the first year subscription for free) and then decide who to stay with as I progressed throughout my teacher training and qualification. 

Throughout the year I received magazines, newsletters, invites to events and regular email communication. I wasn’t particularly affiliated with any organisation with the majority of my concentration focussed on progressing and qualifying through my first couple of years of teaching. 

I was lucky enough not to need to contact the unions over any employment issues, with my main point of support being my in-school mentor and training provider.

However, we all know that teaching unions and organisations like Edapt can be crucial if you are to face serious employment issues (and even lesser ones) at school, especially in your early teaching career.

Why might I join more than one teaching union?

As explained above, as a trainee teacher you can join all organisations for free during your training year. Over the course of the year, you might decide that a particular organisation is more aligned with your needs or provides more useful advice and resources for your role.

In times of industrial action, such as strikes, having multiple memberships can also provide teachers with greater flexibility in terms of their involvement. While one union may call for a strike, another might not, allowing you to navigate these situations more strategically. You might be able to avoid action if you feel uncomfortable.

You can also take advantage of special offers, discounts and freebies which are often offered to trainee teachers.

Things to consider when joining more than one union

Cost will certainly be a factor if you are taking out more than one membership, especially as you progress into ECT2 and later. As you can in the table below, Edapt is cheaper than the NEU and NASUWT as you progress in your teaching career.

You will also need to be careful with taking conflicting advice when navigating an employment situation.

If you are, for example, taking concurrent advice from the NEU and Edapt about the same case, we would ask you to choose one or the other. As you can imagine you can run into difficulties if you are receiving conflicting advice.

Why should I join Edapt as a trainee teacher?

Our main focus at Edapt is providing high-quality employment support for your role at school without the politics. We won’t bombard you with magazines or text messages about political campaigns or have General Secretaries voicing their opinions about the education sector.

We provide personalised, caring support and will help you navigate the process of being a trainee teacher.

If you want to find out more about Edapt or have any queries, we would be more than happy to answer any questions you have. As all good teachers know, there are no silly questions and we always enjoy speaking to colleagues. 

You can call us on 0203 475 3998, use our live chat function (in the bottom right of the screen) or email us on info@edapt.org.uk. Whichever one you choose, a friendly member of the team will be able to assist.