Being an NEU rep in Tower Hamlets

The representative is the voice of the NEU in each workplace. As an NEU rep you regularly communicate with members and are the first point of contact for any concerns they may have. The more workplace based reps we have, the stronger the union will be.

Tower Hamlets and the City is keen to support our reps  and we can advise on different ways reps in other schools manage the role including job-shares and the creation of small committees to spread the work. The most important thing for us is to have someone in every school who can be a contact point for our members and ensure that they are well-informed and know how to get more advice and help.

Why be or become an NEU rep?

• Help colleagues resolve issues and concerns in your workplace.
• Promote the needs and interests of teachers in your workplace
• Ensure fairness and equality for all in your workplace.
• Make your voice heard. Workplaces with NEU reps and active union groups are better places to work

More information from the NEU on being a rep can be found here

What being an NEU rep involves

• Building an active NEU group in your workplace by holding regular meetings to find out what issues are important to members.
• Recruiting potential members, including newly qualified teachers and students and support staff, into the NEU.
• Raising the visibility of the NEU in your workplace through regular meetings, displaying posters and distributing materials provided by your local association or division and the national union.
• Promoting union campaigns amongst colleagues, seeking their involvement.
• Keeping in regular contact with your association or division, and relating issues and concerns that can’t be resolved at school level to appropriate colleagues.

To be a representative you will need to be elected by the members in your workplace. Representatives are elected annually by all members in the workplace. All reps should receive accreditation from their local District.

If there is no representative in your workplace and you wish to take on the role, get members together for a meeting. Once a meeting and election has taken place, you can confirm that you have been elected by emailing towerhamletsandthecitybranch@neu.org.uk.