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 - UCU Vice President (FE)Sasha Callaghan (City Lit)
Why I am standing
I am standing as a UCU Left candidate for Vice President because of what I believe our new union can be. I want to be in a union where everyone knows they are valued and that they have a contribution to make. I want to be sure that no member is isolated or feels that UCU has ignored them or let them down. I want to have a clear conscience that UCU has done all it possibly can to defend members in the workplace and to fight for civil rights and social justice.
My vision for UCU
- UCU has the potential to be a strong and effective trade union but this can only happen if it is democratic and inclusive.
- Decision making needs to be transparent and accountable to members.
- Resources must be invested in branch and regional structures to ensure that the union has strong foundations.
- UCU must oppose New Labour neo liberalism and the marketisation of education.
- Pay and conditions in Further Education are deteriorating. We need a coherent industrial strategy, not a series of one day actions which take us nowhere.
- Casualisation is a running sore within the sector. When I first began teaching it was as an agency worker so I know from bitter experience how appalling this is. If UCU is going to recruit agency and part time staff then it has a moral obligation to represent them properly.
- A culture of bullying exists within many colleges and this has to be addressed urgently. The AOC is ineffectual in curbing the excesses of its members. We need to challenge this complacency.
- Increasing workloads and departmental closures cause stress to our members and have a detrimental effect on students.
- Implementation of the framework agreement is painfully slow and job evaluation is resulting in many of our members, particularly academic – related staff, being “red circled”.
- This year’s pay dispute was a lost opportunity, which saw a heroic struggle on the part of many of our members. Unfortunately, the wish of Conference to widen the action was disregarded at a crucial point in negotiations, due to a loss of nerve by some sections of our leadership.
- These are issues on which we have to campaign proactively and be guided by members.
- Equality is at the heart of trade union values and must be a priority for UCU. It is not a fringe issue; It is a major force in collective bargaining.
- We need to build self organisation to encourage new activists.
- UCU should publish its Equality Schemes by Congress 2007.
- Ours must be a radical voice in the struggle for social justice, nationally and internationally.
- We should be proud that UCU is affiliated to the Stop the War Coalition and Unite Against Fascism and has spoken out against Islamophobia.
- My children have benefited from a Scottish, liberal education and I am furious that this escape route from poverty is under attack.
- Increasing specialisation and three year degrees, coupled with the complete indifference of the Scottish Executive towards H.E., are seriously undermining what was a model of excellence.
- UCU Scotland must campaign to put higher education back on the Scottish agenda.
- Pay parity has been achieved between our members in Further Education and school teachers, illustrating that when the union shows decisive leadership, and has confidence in members, significant gains are made.
- The determination of our members in Northern Ireland to fight for decent pay and conditions, despite outrageous behaviour from some employers, has been inspirational and an example to the whole union.
My commitment to you
believe that real leadership is about respect and listening to members. It also means being prepared to fight on behalf of the membership, especially when the going gets tough. Sadly, neither good intentions nor tears win improvements in pay and conditions; Collective determination and courage do that. We have to learn quickly from our mistakes and move on.
My commitment is that if I am elected as Vice President, I will work to make certain that UCU becomes a different and far better union than AUT and Natfhe ever were. Thank you for your support.
“When we knew what we knew, we did what we did. When we knew better, we did better.” Maya Angelou
I have been a trade unionist since 1987. I was a shop steward for Nupe local government branch, Bradford, for three years and assistant branch secretary for Tayside Unison for two years. I was also Chair of Unison Disabled Members Committee for two years.
I began teaching in 2000 and joined Natfhe. Thanks to support and encouragement from equality unit staff and even more importantly, from other disabled members, I soon became an activist. This was a decision that I’ve never regretted.
I am currently a Director of Disability Equality Training Scotland and I work throughout the UK, assisting Colleges, Universities and Adult Education providers to improve services to disabled students and increase opportunities for disabled staff.
UCU involvement at national and branch level:
- Elected to UCU TNEC, Disabled Members Representative 2006 - Present
- Disability Rights Commission 2005 - Present
- Disability Equality Duty Reference Group 2005 - Present
- National Negotiator, Further Education 2004 - Present
- Elected to TUC Disability Committee 2002 - Present
- Elected to Natfhe NEC, Disabled Members Representative 2003-2006
- Chair, Natfhe Equality Advisory Council 2005-2006
- Vice Chair, Natfhe Equality Advisory Council 2004-2006
- Delegate to Natfhe Equality Advisory Council 2001-2003
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