Matt Wrack, the former general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), has been elected permanent general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union in a closely contested ballot. With 5,249 votes, he narrowly defeated challenger Neil Butler, who received 3,126 votes, in an election marked by low turnout, with just 4.7% of eligible members participating.
The election follows a period of internal dispute that began when Wrack was named as the NASUWT executive's preferred candidate in March. Under union rules, he would have automatically assumed the position had no other candidate received sufficient nominations from local branches. However, Neil Butler, the NASUWT's national officer for Wales, launched legal proceedings after his initial attempts to gather nominations were rejected due to concerns over his status as a union employee rather than a member.
The challenge led to a High Court hearing being avoided and Wrack being appointed acting general secretary. This in turn paved the way for a contested ballot, which saw a turnout significantly lower than that seen in recent comparable union leadership elections, such as Daniel Kebede's election as NEU general secretary in 2023 with a 9% turnout.
Wrack has vowed to make the NASUWT 'even stronger', focusing on 'unity and action' to address years of underinvestment, overwork, and undervaluing of the teaching profession. He called for government investment in education, advocating for fair pay, manageable workloads, and safe working environments for both staff and students.
Welcoming Wrack's election, NASUWT national president Wayne Broom acknowledged member engagement throughout the contest and expressed confidence in Wrack's leadership, stating that he and the national executive look forward to collaborating closely with him 'to put teachers first'. The union also thanked Butler for his participation and ongoing service, highlighting it as testament to the strength of its democratic processes.
With Wrack at the helm, the NASUWT is set to play a key role in shaping its future direction, particularly regarding its engagement with government on issues affecting teachers. His background as a long-standing leader of the Fire Brigades Union suggests a potentially more robust approach to campaigning and advocacy for teachers' rights.