New higher education union draws nearer

The prospect of a single union for higher and further education staff has moved a step closer.

The AUT national executive has agreed to positively recommend a new union, formed out of a merger with NATFHE.

NATFHE’s national executive is due to decide on the issue on April 29. If it recommends the merger, the decision then goes to the unions’ respective councils and conferences before a ballot of all members in autumn 2005.

Sally Hunt, AUT general secretary and Paul Mackney, general secretary NATFHE said: “We firmly believe that we need to create a stronger union now that is capable of defending and advancing our professional interests in an insecure world, but the final decision will rest with our members.”