1. JOIN UCU – The best start to your career in education

2. What is UCU? With almost 120,000 members, UCU is the largest post-school trade union in the world. Whether you are starting your career as an academic, lecturer, trainer, instructor, researcher, administrator, manager, computer staff or librarian – UCU is the union for you

3. What does UCU do? Starting a new job can be daunting but joining UCU will give you the best start possible and help you get the most from your career UCU’s purpose is to look after the interests of its members at work.

4. Support, advice and representation Our members receive expert advice on contracts, pay and conditions and your rights at work UCU works with specialist employment lawyers to ensure members have access to professional legal advice (in addition to the representation from training local reps)

5. Winning better pay and conditions UCU negotiates on pay and conditions with employers at a national level on behalf of members Research shows that union members in the UK receive on average 12.5% higher pay, better sickness and pension benefits – you’re better off in a union!

6. Professional development Helping new staff access education and training Learn from and network with other education professionals at the start of their careers Early Careers Training – covers Behaviour Management, Voice Care and Assertiveness

7. ‘Early Careers – A UCU Guide for New Staff in Further and Higher Education’ New UCU members receive a copy of our brand new guide for new staff which contains a wealth of tips and guidance on what to expect when you start work, getting the most from your career and what to do if things go wrong.

8. Together we can make a difference UCU is your collective voice in the workplace We also influence government in the key players in post-school education We tackle the issues that are important to you Join UCU today and make a difference

9. The union for education professionals