ATL AND ACM TO FORM JOINT VENTURE WITH VIEW TO CLOSER CO-OPERATION

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and Association for College Management (ACM) are setting up a joint venture to give members of both unions access to the services provided by the other.  The joint venture, which is due to go live in the autumn, will be called the Association of Managers in Education (AMiE), and will be run and managed by the ACM.

This is currently not a merger of the two unions, although this may be a possibility in the future if ACM members vote in favour.  In the meantime ACM/AMiE and ATL branches will continue to be run separately, and neither union will relocate. 

AMiE’s board will be made up of members of both unions.  Final details of how AMiE will operate will be decided over the coming months.

The joint venture was approved unanimously by ATL’s executive committee on 19 January and ACM’s council on 25 January. 

The joint venture will give ACM members free access to the joint venture – AMiE – as well as the benefits of associate membership of ATL including access to all ATL’s training and publications, member benefits; and support from the national offices in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

ATL members – particularly the 2,000 in senior leadership roles in schools and colleges – will have access to AMiE’s services including specialist advice and support with leadership and management roles as their careers progress.  This support will also be available to any of ATL’s other 120,000 working members who may seek promotion in the future.  ATL members who join AMiE will also receive ACM publications, training and access to their case workers.

ACM chief executive and general secretary, Peter Pendle, said:  “ACM and ATL share many common values and attitudes.  This joint venture is really exciting for ACM members.  I believe it will enable ACM to grow and maintain its identity, while strengthening its influence nationally.”

ATL general secretary, Dr Mary Bousted, said:  “This is great news for ATL members.  The joint venture will give ATL members in leadership roles, and those wanting to be promoted, specialist support and advice to help them in their daily roles.  It will enhance the support we offer members at a time the union is growing rapidly.”

ACM has 4,000 members in leadership roles in further education and ATL has 2,000 senior staff in schools and colleges. 

For further information please contact the ATL press office on 0207 782 1589 or visit website www.atl.org.uk or Peter Pendle at ACM on 07810 481467 or visit website www.acm.uk.com