Workplace Representatives are very often the first contact that members and the teaching workforce in the school have with NASUWT.

It is essential that Workplace Representatives encourage all new teacher members of staff, newly qualified teachers and student teachers on their work-based placements to join the Union.

Workplace Representatives are also central to communicating information from the national and regional Union to members in the school.

There are a number of activities that Workplace Representatives can undertake to raise the profile and activities of the NASUWT within the school.

What is a Workplace Representative?

  • This is by far the most important union role in the workplace.

  • It is an elected role - Workplace Reps should be elected annually by the members in that workplace. It may be advisable to hold the election in the summer term for the forthcoming academic year. Your Local Association Secretary can advise on and assist with this process.

  • The Workplace Rep is the leader of the team of activists in that workplace.

  • Workplace Reps can carry out certain aspects of the role immediately upon election, but other aspects, known as ‘trade union duties’, can only be carried out once the Rep is accredited and indemnified by NASUWT to do so. This occurs after attending the Workplace Reps Training Course.

Workplace Representative duties after their election

  • Ensuring all information from the national Union and the Local Association is communicated to the membership in the school.

  • Calling regular members meetings at a time and place that is accessible to all.

  • Making sure that every teacher, including newly qualified teachers and student teachers on their work-based placements are asked to join the Union.

  • Ensure that the school noticeboard is kept up to date with NASUWT information.

  • Seeking to make the union membership list for the workplace accurate and is kept up to date.

  • All Workplace Representatives should ensure that they stay in regular contact with their Local Association and should make every effort to attend Local Association meetings and, ideally, should seek to encourage other members in the workplace to attend these too.

  • Your Local Association Secretary is the sole point of contact for Workplace Reps to seek advice on any matter. They will provide essential guidance and support, helping you to access new resources and relevant training.

Workplace Representatives - after completing the accredited initial training

Once you have completed your initial training, accredited reps can, in addition to the above, carry out trade union duties in the workplace, including:

  • providing advice to members;

  • accompanying members to meetings with management in the workplace;

  • making representations on behalf of members collectively and individually. This includes writing to the management in the workplace and also having meetings with management to represent members’ interests;

  • if any communications and representations need to be made to the employer, rather than the management in the workplace, at any time on behalf of NASUWT members, then contact should be made with the Local Association Secretary, as this would need to be carried out by the relevant accredited NASUWT official;

  • the Local Association Secretary is the sole point of contact for Workplace Reps to seek advice on any matter. Their advice should be sought before dealing with any matter as above and some more serious matters should only be handled by an accredited NASUWT Caseworker;

  • training on carrying out these trade union duties is provided in the NASUWT Workplace Reps Training Course and until Reps have attended this training, they are not accredited or indemnified by NASUWT to carry out such duties;

  • there is also an ongoing requirement for Workplace Reps to attend further training to maintain their accreditation.

How can you make a difference?

Ruth-Anne, a secondary school teacher in Greater Manchester explains why she became an NASUWT Rep and how she has been able to grow the NASUWT membership and make a difference for herself, her colleagues and the school.