The four main UK teacher unions announced the launch of an historic partnership on Friday.
Trade unions representing more than 375,000 teachers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have agreed to work together to benefit their members. The unions hope the move will boost their support and increase efficiency.
The teaching unions signed up to the agreement are: the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), the National Unions of Teachers (NUT) and the Ulster Teachers' Union (UTU). They aim to protect shared trade union values and campaign together where appropriate.
Despite the difference in teaching systems across the countries, union leaders are positive the new partnership will allow their members to benefit from support from each union if they move between the different countries.
Sheila Nunan, INTO general secretary, said: "This agreement will be of great benefit to teachers. By working more closely together all of the unions will be better placed to meet the significant challenges facing teachers today."
The move comes after teachers raised concerns over efficiency of strikes without union co-operation.
NUT general secretary Christine Blower said she would be looking forward to working with the other unions on the "many common challenges".
"I am pleased our close ties with sister unions in the UK has been made stronger", she added. "We are all unions committed to publicly funded and publicly accountable education provision."