Most solutions can be found in sensible discussion and negotiation with those who have the power to put matters right. In your case, this will usually be the principal or headteacher of your school or college. There is no immediate way to become proficient as a representative and negotiator and, as with most skills, practice is key.

Building confidence

Confidence is one aspect of success. Confidence comes partly from knowledge and experience.

It is important to attend the NASUWT NASUWT Workplace Representatives courses as these are designed to help you develop a range of skills.

As a Representative, you may encounter both success and failure when trying to resolve members’ issues. Sometimes the outcome you wish to achieve is not going to be attainable.

A source of confidence can be the trade union organisation you have built in your school and the NASUWT organisation that stands behind it. Remember that you are part of the wider Union and there is a range of support available through your Local Association and the Regional Centre.

Dealing with the principal or headteacher

On most occasions, the employer representative you will deal with will be your headteacher or principal. Often, this person can help sort out the problems individual members bring to you and it is the principal or headteacher who you will consult and negotiate with in your defence of members’ collective interests.

Where possible, you should try to establish a good working relationship. Although a trade union representative and the employer may have differing views, matters can often be resolved in a climate of mutual respect and a sensible principal will welcome the role you play.

Working with other trade unions

The NASUWT Representative should take the lead in setting up a framework for co-operation. This will involve establishing a joint union committee of union representatives to discuss issues as and when they arise.

Wherever possible, a joint position should be agreed. However, we have to recognise that, from time to time, members of other education unions may wish to adopt a different stance from that which the NASUWT believes to be in the best interests of teachers. On those occasions, we have to recognise the right of colleagues in those unions to pursue their interests and they should recognise the right of the NASUWT to do likewise.

There will probably be support staff trade unions represented in the school or college. UNISON, GMB and Unite represent other support staff and are all signatories to the National Agreement. On many issues, there will be a common interest shared by all employees. 

Structures for consultation and negotiation

Experience has shown that the best way of achieving constructive discussions with school/college management is to establish some formal or semi-formal structures in which these discussions take place. The NASUWT recommends the establishment of a union Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), consisting of trade union representatives on one side and representatives of the management on the other. The JNC should have all matters that impact upon teachers’ conditions of service or pay referred to it.

Management should understand that teachers’ conditions of service and pay are the concern of recognised trade unions and not of other groupings within the school or college.

Appendix 2 of the handbook contains a model constitution for a school JNC, which can be adapted to suit your own situation. Small schools would not need elaborate arrangements, but whatever the size of the school or nature of the consultative and negotiating arrangements, some basic principles apply:

  • all matters of conditions of service should be discussed with union representatives through this committee;

  • all recognised trade unions have a right to have a representative on the committee;

  • unions and management have the right to have ‘advisors’ present;

  • each union has the right to make separate approaches on any issue where no union agreement exists;

  • meetings will take place during paid time;

  • a mechanism for resolving disputes should be established.