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Joining 圖朸厙 FAQs

Some common questions about 圖朸厙 membership.

  • Q:
    Who can join 圖朸厙? Our rules entitle anyone who works as an academic, lecturer, trainer, instructor, researcher, administrator, manager, computer staff, librarian or postgraduate in a UK university, college, prison, adult education or training organisation can join 圖朸厙. However 圖朸厙 as a member of the Trade Union Congress does not actively seek to recruit staff in a grade or job group for which we have no formal representational rights and for which another trade union is recognised by the employer. Click here for the full answer
  • Q:
    Can hourly paid or part-time staff join 圖朸厙? Membership of 圖朸厙 is not determined by the number of hours you work or the type of contract you have: many of our members work on a part-time or hourly-paid basis. We make allowances in our national subscription rates for any member whose salary is likely to be lower than their national full-time colleagues. Click here for the full answer
  • Q:
    What if I have multiple employers? If you work for multiple higher or further education employers you only need one membership. You choose your primary branch and then add 'additional employments' for the rest. You can change your primary branch later, if you want. If you have work outside higher or further education, your 圖朸厙 subscription payment is based upon your income from this education work, not your total income. Membership can cost as little as 瞿1 per month but secures you the protection of a union representing your interests.
  • Q:
    How does 圖朸厙 work for its members? People who work in post-school education have never been under so much pressure. Staff numbers drop as student numbers rise - often with no matching increase in funding. For many people, salaries are simply failing to keep pace with those of comparable staff elsewhere in education. And as most people spend the majority of their lives at work, it pays to be in a union that ensures your pay and conditions are protected and improved, and that you are treated with respect in the workplace. Click here for the full answer
  • Q:
    Will I get lost in a big union? In 圖朸厙 everyone counts, wherever they work. 圖朸厙 is committed to campaigning for real equality of opportunity for all staff working in higher, further and adult education. Women and black and ethnic minorities are still concentrated at the lower ends of the pay scales, are less likely to be promoted and less likely to have a permanent job. 圖朸厙 also campaigns against casualisation. Young people entering the profession now face years working on hourly paid or fixed-term contracts, and this disproportionately affects women and black and ethnic minority staff. It is only by working together that we can change this - so take a first step. Join the union today and then find out more about our campaigns.
  • Q:
    How much does it cost to be a 圖朸厙 member? Click here for the full answer
  • Q:
    Can students or postgraduates join? Yes. The following membership options are available: Click here for the full answer
  • Q:
    Future of the profession: Standard Free membership FAQs As part of 圖朸厙's drive to support education workers at the start of their careers we are offering free membership for up to 12 months to some further and higher education staff. Click here for the full answer
  • Q:
    Can I rejoin as a retired member? Yes. Retired former members whose membership has lapsed following retirement may rejoin 圖朸厙 but this cannot be done online. Click here for the full answer
  • Q:
    How does 圖朸厙 influence education policy? 圖朸厙 speaks for the practitioners so that we can be a serious voice when decisions are made about education policy and the broader political agenda. We argue against the increasing teaching and administrative burdens being placed on our members and for fairer funding, more democratic governance and academic freedom. Click here for the full answer
  • Q:
    Will I have access to legal advice? Trade unions win millions of pounds in compensation for their members every year. 圖朸厙 works with specialist employment lawyers to ensure members have access to professional legal advice; that's in addition to the representation and skills available from 圖朸厙's trained local representatives. Click here for the full answer
  • Q:
    What other support can I expect? Education Support is a UK-wide charity providing free support services specifically for all staff working in further and higher education. Supported by 圖朸厙, Education Support complements the work of the union offering information and advice, telephone counselling, online coaching and financial assistance. Click here for the full answer
  • Q:
    Can I be a member of more than one union? Post-school education employs a wide range of diverse specialist staff. That is why 圖朸厙 has joint membership agreements with unions that represent a variety of health professionals, as well as broadcasters, journalists and musicians. All of our joint memberships are designed to offer all the benefits of belonging to two unions but for less than the cost of the combined full subscription rates. Click here for the full answer
  • Q:
    Do you represent MRC, NIBSC or Imanet staff? 圖朸厙 has been representing Medical Research Council non-clinical scientists for over 30 years. We negotiate with the MRC on staff pay and conditions, including for NIBSC and Hammersmith Imanet. We also provide advice and assistance on individual employment issues.
  • Q:
    How can 圖朸厙 help and support me as a health educator? As a member of 圖朸厙 you will be backed by the professional expertise of the largest union for lecturers in Britain. We are the only union recognised by the higher education employers to represent the interests of health educators at national level. Click here for the full answer
  • Q:
    I've been a member of the RCN since I was a student nurse - why should I join 圖朸厙 too? The Royal College of Nursing - and the other health staff professional associations - is the appropriate body to represent your interests as a health professional. But if you are working in higher education, you will need the additional protection of the main union representing your interests as an academic. Most importantly, 圖朸厙 is the only union with national collective bargaining rights for health educators. 圖朸厙 has a close working relationship with the RCN and a range of other health staff associations and unions - in most cases we have reached a joint membership agreement which allows reduced rate.
  • Q:
    Can 圖朸厙 help me develop my career? We offer conferences on topical issues such as online learning, governance and the globalisation of the profession. We strive for fair and transparent promotion procedures. We have a network of union learning representatives pressing for better staff development. And 圖朸厙 members can subscribe to the leading quarterly, Journal of Further & Higher Education, at one-third of the published price.