Join a Trade Union and know your rights!
Join a Trade Union and know your rights!
It's unfashionable these days to talk about Trade Unions... for some reason many individuals seem to think they can get by without the support of other people. This especially applies to part-time teachers, who tend to feel that Trade Unions are not relevant ,or are too expensive... or even too 'political' (whatever that means!... can education ever be anything but political?!)
However, when employment trouble occurs, who are you going to talk to for support and advice? You may think that an employment dispute can never happen to you, but the truth is that such mishaps occur much more often than is thought. And as part-time employment rights expand, so does the likelihood of a dispute.
Additionally, how many part-time workers actually know what their employment rights are? There have been massive changes in employment law over the past two years, yet the workers to whom these changes apply are consistently ignorant of their new rights. If you are in this category... where are you going to find out about your rights with regard to continuity of employment? Redundancy pay? Sick pay? Holiday pay? Maternity leave? Health and Safety? Contracts? The list of items you should know something about is very long!
May I strongly advise all part-time teachers to join their relevant trade union? The benefits and information accruing are well worth the subscription expense, and you may end up not only financially benefitting in the long run, but feeling a lot more secure.
It is a gross error to believe you can do without this solidarity and support!
Our Links page has some contacts with AUT and NATFHE... investigate further and join up today!
Copyright Bob Groves 26/12/2000