The influence and effectiveness of your union is in large part determined by membership size and density.
The most common reason for people not being a member of a union is that they’ve never been asked! When a new employee starts at your workplace make sure you introduce yourself. Welcome that person and ask if they have been given the opportunity to join the union.
It is an important role for Reps, and fellow members, to seek out potential members and explain to them the individual and collective benefits of joining.
Talking with potential members
Most educators are members of the AEU and together we make improvements to working conditions, salary and professional opportunities which benefit all employees — members and potential members.
In talking to potential members, you may find that issues of concern to them are issues the AEU is already working to address.
If the potential member is interested in joining, ask them to fill out a membership form immediately. Online and printable membership forms are on the website. If a potential member is not interested in joining, respect their decision and don’t get into an argument!
Website resources
- AEU website www.aeutas.org.au
- Menu item:
- Join/UpdateBenefits
Tips for recruiting
- Allocate a member to each potential member and encourage discussion about the benefits of joining the AEU.
- Keep your approaches to potential members short and regular.
- When the AEU has a victory, point out the benefits that flow to potential members.
- Invite potential members to union functions.
- Invite your AEU Organiser to address potential members about a current issue or particular issue, such as the latest campaign.
- If you’re a New Educator in your first year of teaching and you become a financial member of the AEU we will pay your Tasmanian Teacher Registration Board (TRB) for a year.
Who can join the AEU?
Support Staff
- Teacher Assistant
- Technical Assistant
- Lab Technician
- Library Technicians
- Pathway Planning Officer,
- Social Worker
- Speech Pathologist
- Bus Attendant
- HSLO or Youth Liaison Officer
Teaching Service (Tasmanian Public Sector) Award
- Advance Skills Teacher,
- Relief Teacher,
- Principal
- Assistant Principal
- School Psychologist
- Teacher
TAFE Division covers all staff in:
- TasTAFE
- Trade Training Centres
- LINC.
Students (Free Membership)
- Any student at university or TasTAFE that intends on working in public education or TasTAFE (e.g. as a Teacher, Teacher Assistant, Psychologist etc.)
