Teachers should vote for one bigger union

The NUT and ATL teaching unions are holding conferences in London on Saturday to debate and vote on plans to merge.

If they back the merger it will lead to full ballots of members of both unions this year before the merger takes full effect next year.

Such a merger would be a big step towards creating the single teachers’ union that the overwhelming majority of teachers desire.

Many details need to be debated. But getting the process underway by passing the proposal being put on Saturday is essential.

No one should back amendments which, however framed, would sink the whole process.

Nor should they listen to siren voices who suggest that the long merger process can substitute for fighting in the here and now.