AUT and NATFHE plan merger

The two teaching unions in further and higher education could merge within a year if current talks continue as planned.

The Association of University Teachers (AUT) and NATFHE - the University and College Lecturers' Union - have agreed to put initial merger proposals to their national executives in October. Firm proposals for the creation of the new union would then go to AUT council and NATFHE conference in spring 2005 and, if agreed, would then be put to the memberships.