ATL

Wales

ATL Cymru president David Healey talks about what ATL can do for you

I've said many times that ATL has something to offer everyone engaged in education. Wherever you are, whatever you do - state or independent, school or college, teacher, lecturer, support staff, senior manager or head - ATL has something to offer you. The reverse is also the case - wherever you are and whatever you do, you have something to offer the other members of ATL.

On the ground in schools and colleges we are always keen to recruit reps and contacts to make ATL's policies and positions better known. Where we already have reps, I know that we would welcome help in sharing the union's news and views. As a school rep I found it very useful to sound out other members about our responses and reactions.

At the local authority level, ATL reps make the union's voice heard. Some of our excellent LA reps will be retiring soon and we need members to step into their shoes. In my experience, with support from the branch, other LA reps and ATL nationally, it quickly becomes an interesting and rewarding role and one that can make a real difference for members.

It has been a privilege to be president of ATL Cymru for the last two years but I know that I have only been able to achieve what I have due to the hard work of reps and contacts across Wales. It's always easy to think that one is too busy, or that someone else will do it. So how about you: what can you do? Contact ATL Cymru.