We Association of University Teachers' activists wish to state our personal support for the proposed amalgamation of AUT and Natfhe. Last year, members of both unions mandated their executives to pursue maximum unity, and now we have the possibility of creating a single union. We believe this to be a historic opportunity. We do not have to look far back to see the dangers of missing this chance: last spring we were divided by the employers in pay negotiations.
Higher and further education workers in all institutions face a range of similar challenges. We need to improve pay and address the gender pay gap. We all face cutbacks, closures and redundancies, and we all face new levels of pressure in the workplace. We need a single, strong union that can fight for its members.
To this end we urge members of both unions to grasp this opportunity and vote for the creation of a new union.
Jim Guild
Sussex University
Terry Hoad
Oxford University
Nick Savage
Cambridge University (and 32 others)