Dr Patrick Roach has today formally taken up the post of General
Secretary of the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union.
He succeeds Chris Keates who has stepped down after 16 years in
the role.
Dr Roach has been Deputy General Secretary of the NASUWT for the
last 10 years and has worked for the Union in a number of
positions since 1998.
He has paid tribute to the vital work of teachers, particularly
at this moment of national crisis when teachers and school
leaders are at the forefront of the response to the COVID-19
pandemic, and has called on governments and administrations to
prove they genuinely value the profession by ending the
decade-long attacks on teachers’ pay and conditions.
Dr Roach said:
“I am deeply honoured to be taking up the position of General
Secretary. I can think of no greater privilege for me than to
have the job of General Secretary of a union that is dedicated to
putting teachers first, particularly at this time when it is so
vitally important that the voice of teachers is heard and
listened to by governments, schools and employers.
“Governments have lauded teachers’ efforts in response to
COVID-19. Now ministers need to recognise that the decade spent
undermining the pay and conditions of teachers must end, by
valuing teachers, securing competitive pay and rewards for
teachers, ending the misery of crushing and debilitating workload
pressures on teachers and ensuring that teachers and headteachers
can go to work every day without the fear of being bullied,
harassed or verbally or physically assaulted.
“The importance of treating others with respect and dignity has
been a resounding message over the last few weeks. Those on whom
we rely the most-our nurses, doctors, teachers, care givers and
other public service workers-deserve the very best. And the
public and politicians cannot continue to expect teachers and
other public service workers to be there for them unless they in
turn demonstrate they are valued and respected.
“My aim as General Secretary is to put our members first and to
continue to fight for working conditions which support and
protect every teacher so they can continue to inspire and make a
positive difference to the lives of our children and young
people.”
