The UCU Left is a national organisation of University and College Union activists. It is committed to ensuring that the new union has a democratic structure through which members can determine policy, and elected officers and professional officials can be held accountable. It seeks to defend educational equality, and to oppose the consequences of neo-liberal marketisation. It is opposed to all forms of racism, sexism, oppression and imperialism.
NEC Election - Black Members Representative

Bill Gulam (University of Salford)

Election Address

I have been a union member and trade union activist for my entire teaching period in both of the FE and HE sectors. I have hence been a member of both NATFHE and the AUT.


Critical watershed
As a new and amalgamated union that spans the full post-16 spectrum we are now at a critical watershed which must be faced with both verve and a clear strategy based on certain guiding principles. As part of that, as the new UCU, we must look to how we listen to, engage with, involve and support black membership.


Important contribution
As a black educator who has taught in both FE and HE I believe I can bring an appreciation of the race dynamic and racial fault lines from within each of the post 16 sectors and, importantly, from within our own union. This, my past activism, and my membership of the UCU Left are really the main planks of my canditure.

My contribution to the race dynamic within education and education unions has been twofold:
  • At the official level


    • I have chaired or co-chaired national equality committees and am presently co-chair of the UCU Equality Committee;


    • Member of the CUCO committee that examined career progression in the HE sector;


    • Provided evidence to the FE Black Commission;


    • Have represented black educators and negotiated with the AUT official solicitors regarding flaws in the legal system whilst representing black members at grievances/tribunals;


    • Have represented black workers in the sector for the AUT at various universities and am presently representing UCU in supporting black educators in a long drawn out dispute at a nothern university.


  • At the non official level


    • I helped establish the email/support network for black AUT members;


    • Helped to establish the embryonic local/regional/national black staff networks that sought to provide support and advice to black members who felt the need for assistance;


    • Provided testimony and representation and support for black membes/educators at various educational institutions and venues ranging from FE, HE and the LEA in regard to adult/community education.


I believe I have contributed to both the FE/HE sectors and the union in regard to the race dynamic and, if elected, will continue to try and do so.

Biographical information including service to the union

Current branch positions:
  • UCU Branch Secretary, Salford University

  • UCU Departmental Rep, Salford University

Previous branch positions:
  • NATFHE Branch Secretary - various times within both FE and HE (post-92) branches

Current national positions:
  • Member of UCU Transitional Arrangements Committee (TAC)

  • Co-chair of UCU National Equalities Committee

  • Member of UCU National HE Committee

Previous national and regional positions:
  • Member of AUT Executive Committee

  • Chair of AUT National Equalities Committee

  • Vice-chair of AUT Recruitment, Organising and Campaigning Committee

  • Member of AUT Strategic Planning Committee

  • Member of AUT International Committee

  • Member of AUT Pay/Campaigning and Industrial Action Committees

  • NATFHE Regional Delegate (North West)

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