15 May 2024
To Jo Grady and UCU Senior Management Team
We the undersigned are writing to express our unequivocal support of UCU Unite in their current industrial dispute over workplace racism and organisational dysfunction. As General Secretary, we urge you and the Senior Management Team (SMT) to organise urgent talks with Unite, and to engage meaningfully and respectfully to resolve all aspects of this dispute.
We believe a resolution can be reached prior to UCU Congress to be held between 29-31 of May in Bournemouth. However, if this is not the case, as trade unionists we will be supporting UCU staff on the picket lines on May 30th.
On 12 March, we held a special NEC in recognition of the breakdown of relationships between the Black Members Standing Committee (BMSC), Black members in Unite UCU and UCU SMT. Important motions were passed by UCU National Executive Committee (NEC) in recognition that relationships between these groups need to be repaired in a careful, meaningful and respectful way.
We are dismayed that our union is described by Black staff and Black member representatives as hostile and institutionally racist. UCU members have consistently campaigned and taken industrial action to challenge inequality in our workplaces, including but not limited to the race pay gap. It is imperative that as an employer UCU practices the anti racist values it advocates in members’ workplaces and wider society.
We urge you to meet the very reasonable demands of Unite UCU in this dispute as a matter of urgency.
Sincerely,
Laura Loyola-Hernández (Migrant NEC representative, University of Leeds UCU)
Vicky Blake (NEC UK-elected; University of Leeds UCU
Honorary Secretary)
Grant Buttars (UK-elected NEC; UCU Scotland Vice President; UCU Edinburgh)
Lucy Burke (NW representative NEC, NW regional secretary, Manchester Metropolitan University UCU branch chair)
Rhian Elinor Keyse (NEC UK-elected; Birkbeck UCU Branch Secretary)
Jenny Rivas Perez (University of Leeds UCU Branch Equality Officer)
David Wilkinson (Manchester Metropolitan University UCU Ordinary Member & delegate to Congress)
Agnes Flues (NEC Midlands HE rep, University of Nottingham Branch treasurer)
Carlo Morelli (UCU Scotland Hon. Secretary, Dundee UCU)
Marian Mayer NEC, Vice Chair Bournemouth University UCU Pay & Equalities Negotiator
David Hayes (Sheffield UCU branch officer)
Ria Deakin, (Manchester Metropolitan University UCU Health and Safety Officer, NW Regional delegate to Congress)
Sam Morecroft (Uni of Sheffield International College President, ACC co-Chair, Yorks and Humber Region delegate to Congress)
Chris Pritchard (Nottingham Trent University Branch Secretary and delegate to Congress, East Midlands Regional Secretary, East Midlands Regional HE Chair)
Sol Gamsu (Durham University UCU Branch President and delegate to Congress, Chair of Northern Region of UCU, Secretary Durham and Districts Trades Council)
Ross Gibson (Branch Secretary, Strathclyde UCU)
Lena Wånggren (UCU Scotland Immediate Past President; UCU Edinburgh)
Chris McLachlan (Queen Mary UCU)
Alexis Wearmouth (Queen Mary UCU)
Andreas Bieler (University of Nottingham UCU President)
Michael Carley (University of Bath UCU)
Jordan Osserman (Essex UCU Co-President)
Aris Katzourakis (NEC Southern Region, Oxford UCU Honorary Secretary)
Margaret Remana (Goldsmiths UCU Co-President)
Rehana Zaman (Goldsmiths UCU Co-President)
Timothy LaRock (Oxford UCU President)
Robyn Orfitelli, (Sheffield UCU Branch President)
Alexander (Sandy) James (University of Leeds anti-casualisation officer and congress
Gertjan Lucas (University of Nottingham UCU Equality Officer and delegate to Congress, Migrant Members Standing Committee)
Chloe Wallace (Leeds University UCU Immediate Past President)
Joseph Choonara (Leicester UCU co-chair)
Caren Frosch (Leicester UCU co-chair and Congress delegate)
Sarah Joss (Heriot-Watt UCU Branch Pres, SWG)
Aisha Walker (University of Leeds Branch President)
Holly Cooper (Oxford UCU Equality Officer; TUC LGBT+ Committee member; Congress delegate)
Melissa D’Ascenzio (Dundee University UCU Branch Co-President)
Stefano Cremonesi (Durham UCU Committee member and Congress delegate)
Kate Davison (University of Edinburgh UCU ordinary member and delegate to Congress)
Dan Green (Heriot-Watt Equalities Officer and DMSC member/delegate to Congress)
Josh Bunting (University of Manchester delegate to Congress)
Billy Godfrey (University of Manchester delegate to Congress)
Alison Gaughan (Kirklees College delegate to Congress, DMSC member, Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Committee FE secretary)
Emily Haikney (University of Leeds UCU Membership Officer and Congress delegate)
Kyran Joughin (NEC London and the East Region, London UCU REC)
Alan Whitaker (Chair South Region Committee Congress Observer)
Kayleigh Woods Harley (UCU Climate and Ecological Emergency Committee; Birkbeck UCU President)
Cecilia Wee (Co-Chair Royal College of Art UCU, member of Black Members Standing Committee and Disabled Members Standing Committee, incoming London-elected NEC)
William Crosby (Anti-Casualisation Officer, Anglia Riskin University, Cambridge/UAL UCU)
Dr Kevin Biderman (UAL UCU)
Ian Ingram, MMU UCU convener for Science & Engineering
Matthew Gobey, Manchester Metropolitan University UCU convenor
Anthony Bracuti, University of Leeds UCU Branch
Emma Flynn Strathclyde UCU PGR/GTA rep
Jesus Chairez Garza University of Manchester
David Nelson University of Strathclyde, Health & Safety Representative
Ioana Cerasella Chis University of Birmingham UCU, Anti-Disablement Officer
Jen Remnant Strathclyde, membership secretary
Anja Komatar University of Leeds committee member
Darren Cogavin USP College UCU
Natalie Kopytko University of Leeds (School of Earth and Environment Rep and Congress Observer)
Steven Spencer Joint President, UCU University of York
Jon Fanning UCU Uni of York, VP.
Mohan Sridharan University of Edinburgh UCU
Caleb Day Durham University, Anti-Casualisation Officer
Sherene Meir Durham UCU, department rep
G.Zagel-millmore University of Leeds
Sameen Ali University of Birmingham UCU
Viv Kendon University of Strathclyde UCU
Simon Carr University of Strathclyde, Branch Committee member
Peter Tennant University of Leeds UCU
Fergal Hanna University of Cambridge post-graduate researcher representative and Congress delegate, ACC member
Caoimhe Mader McGuinness Kingston UCU Equalities Rep
Rhiannon Lockley she/her - NEC & Equality Chair BCU Branch Chair
Katharine Johnston University of Lincoln UCU branch Green rep
Donna Brown RHUL Branch Chair, SWG
Cat Moody (Strathclyde UCU)
Saira Weiner Branch Secretary LJMU, Chair of NW Regional Committee
Diana Jeater U of Liverpool/LSTM
Séagh Kehoe UCU Westminster
Bee Hughes Chair, LJMU UCU & vice-chair LGBT+ MSC
Elizabeth Lawrence Regional Secretary Yorkshire and Humberside, Chair UCU Retired Members' Committee
Aisling O’Beirn UCU Ulster Anti Casualisation rep & incoming NEC (NI region)
Elaine White NEC North East FE, Bradford College branch chair
Tig Slater Sheffield Hallam University, department rep
Vida Greaux University of South Wales- Branch Chair
Regi Pilling Branch Secretary Westminster Kingsway, NEC FE Women's Rep
Philip Inglesant London Retired Members; LGBT+ Members' Standing Committee
Mike Barton London Retired
Carolyn Woodmason CCCG-WKC - caseworker and negotiator
Waseem Ahmed UCL UCU
Ian Parker University of Leicester UCU
Matt Dawson University of Glasgow UCU
Ryan Burns University of Brighton, branch secretary
Fergus Nicol London Met
Julie Hearn NEC, Lancaster University UCU Equality Officer
Nic DeVeaux Lincoln UCU - social media officer
Valeria Tolis UCU Leeds committee member
Sarah Baillie Westminster and Kingsway King’s Cross branch Sec
Patrick Neveling Bournemouth University UCU, observer to Congress
Anne Alexander Communications Officer, Cambridge UCU
Sabah Boufkhed University of Manchester, UMUCU
Tania Manyuira Sandwell College (Congress delegate, Branch VC & ULR)
Harj Aujla uob branch
Ellen Shobrook University of Birmingham, BUCU Casework Coordinator
Martin Fiddler Staffordshire Uni Branch Secretary
Shivangi Sharma BUCU
Tiago Azevedo Cambridge UCU
Suresh Chaudhary BUCU
Mark Frank Warwick University
S Smith Aston University
Josh Bowsher University of Sussex (Ordinary Member of the Executive Committee)
Eeva Sointu York St John University UCU
Cecily Blyther Petroc Chair and UCU DMSC
Camilla Royle Durham University
Ellen Owens University of Reading UCU branch Treasurer and Congress delegate
Andrew Kilmister Oxford Brookes University UCU, branch executive member and delegate to Oxford trades council
Jarrah O'Neill UCU Cambridge
Gargi Bhattacharyya University of the Arts
Wendy Chapple UAL UCU
Roddy Slorach Imperial College UCU Branch Secretary
Shivangi Sharma University of Birmingham BUCU
Spencer Thomas University of Manchester
Rahul Patel University of the Arts London, UCU, Joint Branch Sec.
Nina Doran NEC FE UK elected, membership rep Colc City branch
Clément Mouhot University of Cambridge UCU branch (Exec committee ordinary member)
Emily Sandford Cambridge UCU (Anti-casualisation rep)
Christian Hogsbjerf Brighton UCU treasurer
Clare Qualmann UEL, ucu branch treasurer
Elena Simon University of Manchester (member)
Hugh Nankervis Oxford UCU
Anupama Ranawana St Andrews UCU
Dario Carugo University of Oxford, UCU Committee member
David Chivall Oxford UCU, vice president
Charlotte Taylor-Page LSBU UCU
Stephanie Mulrine Newcastle University, Branch Committee Ordinary Member
Emma Lay Arts University Bournemouth (AUBUCU Branch Chair)
Andreas Anastasiou Leicester UCU - Media Dept Rep
Amy Ryall Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (Membership Sec), Chair, ARPS Committee.
Alec Edworthy Loughborough University (UCU Health and Safety Officer)
Christina Jessika Marie Paine Chair of London Met UCU and incoming NEC
A Redondo Chair UCU University of Bedfordshire
Madalena Lemos Durham UCU committee member
Lopa Leach University of Nottingham, (UoNUCU Branch Vice- President).
Goretti Horgan UCU Branch cmttee Ulster University
Geoff Taylor UCU Southern retired branch
Alyson James Chair, UCU Westminster Kingsway college
Anaïs Carlton-Parada Loughborough London
Pete Bicknell NCG Lewisham College UCU, FE Secretary London Region
Peta Bulmer NEC, LGBT+ Standing Committee, NW Regional Equality Officer (Women), University of Liverpool UCU Joint Branch Secretary
Aylwyn Walsh University of Leeds branch rep
Dylan Carver University of Oxford, Anti-Casualisation Officer
Chris Whitmore Keele UCU
Nick Rush-Cooper Newcastle University
Rishita Nandagiri King’s College London UCU
Ade Sandwell College group. Senior lecturer
Jo McNeill University of Liverpool
Martin Ralph University of Liverpool ucu committee
Sean Wallis UCL UCU branch secretary and NEC member
Sherrill Stroschein UCL UCU
Wil Hardman University of Liverpool UCU Branch Chair
Ben Purvis Sheffield UCU (comms officer)
Will Byrd LSE (anti-casualisation officer)
Kate Mathis University of Edinburgh UCU
Lauren Sandford Joint-secretary UCU University of Liverpool branch; Deputy chair UCU ARPS Committee
Rosalynd Southern University of Liverpool UCU Branch Communication Officer
Angeliki Roussou, Newcastle University
Katie Muth, Durham UCU Communications Officer
Rachel Shanks, University of Aberdeen UCU, Branch Chair
Kirsten Elliott, University of Nottingham
Chisomo Kalinga, University of Edinburgh UCU
Mark O'Brien, President University of Liverpool and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine UCU
Richard Wild, University of Greenwich branch Co-chair, London Region HE Secretary, current member of NEC
Kate Bennett, University of Liverpool, UCU Committee member
Niall Whelehan, University of Strathclyde UCU
Loes Veldpaus Newcastle UCU branch equalities officer
Tom Cowin Sussex UCU (Anti-Casualisation Officer)
Deepa Driver NEC
William Crosby Anti-Casualisation Officer and Congress Delegate @ Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge / UAL UCU
Sebastian Mylly Queen Mary UCU
Frances Davis University of Edinburgh UCU
Graham Smith Newcastle University
Helen Spriggs LSE UCU
Shiva Sikdar Keele University
Jessica Thompson Oxford UCU, Membership & Recruitment Secretary
Stan Papoulias KCL UCU
Asif Parvez Bradford college UCU Branch
Dee Kesler Equality Officer, UCU Bradford College
Iqbal Patel Bradford College - UCU - Treasuer
Lubna Khan Bradford College Branch Secretary
Carol Bernini Bradford College
Steven Skinner Bradford College
Tom Haines-Doran Committee Member, Uni of Leeds UCU
Lisa Tilley SOAS
Geoffrey Poole Newcastle University
Anna Judson Durham University UCU member
Fiona McKay University of Strathclyde
Eve Merrall University of Liverpool UCU, Green Rep
Nicholas S. M. Matheou University of Edinburgh
Jacqueline Rattray KCL UCU
Phoebe Harding-Walker University of Manchester, UMUCU (Anti-Casualisation Officer)
Janet Munro Trinity Laban Secretary
Nicola Pratt Warwick UCU committee (in personal capacity)
Elane heffernan Kent UCU Equality Officer
Peter Crowther Birmingham City University, ARPS Rep, and West Midlands Regional Committee Secretary
Eeva Sointu York St John UCU
Maria Alexandrescu Sheffield UCU
Kirsty Fife Anti-casualisation officer, Manchester metropolitan university UCU
Susanne Langer UCU Manchester Met, Faculty Co-Convenor.
Ben Radley University of Bath, Staff Rep
Kate Ehrig-Page University of Bath UCU
Rob Lowe Manchester Metropolitan University, UCU Faculty Convenor
Alex Lee University of Brighton
Nigel Bubb Uo Leeds UCU, branch treasurer
Neil Maughan University of Leeds UCU, Health and Safety Officer
Paul Holmes Bradford College - UCU
Rachel Walls University of Leeds committee member
Cyril Closset University of Birmingham
Ian Swift Dundee UCU, co-branch secretary
Sofia Doyle University of Bath, Women and Non-Binary Members Rep
Aurelien Mondon University of Bath
Ben Ralph University of Bath UCU (Branch President)
George Newth Bath
Ben Radley University of Bath, Staff Rep
Andrew Marsh UCU Warwick, Health and Safety Representative
Carys Hill University of Warwick UCU PGR Rep
Steven Burke University of Warwick UCU
Stephen Ashe Durham UCU
Jamie Callahan Durham University, DUCU Branch Membership Officer
Edmund Thomas Durham University UCU member
Clare Rowan, Chair, Warwick UCU, on behalf of Warwick UCU branch
Fleur Martin Warwick UCU
Jo Drugan Heriot-Watt UCU
