Never has it been such an important time for workers to be a member of a union. Unions are noted for their strength and collective action moving together to avoid questionable working environments and practices. I’ve been an active member of UCU since 2005. I began my activism as a Casualised Workers’ Rep and went on to represent the Bournemouth University branch as the Equality Officer, Vice Chair, Chair, Vice Chair again, and am currently the Co-chair and Health and Safety Officer.

Since last year’s Congress in 2019 I have been an elected National Negotiator.  My first task in that role was to negotiate the 4 fights claim – a claim which is still live – that work is yet to be concluded, and I will continue to fight for members on those four claims: workload, casualised contracts, pay equality, and pay.

I am also the Chair of the Southern Region Committee, a pleasure to Chair, and I am honoured to have been elected twice. Since election to chair, the network has expanded with increased meeting attendance and engagement.

Experience of various elements of union work and negotiating for members rights is critical. I have learned a lot from the skills of my comrades on the BU UCU executive committee. The collective expertise we have is invaluable for the work that we do representing our members and our local members are appreciative and increasing – our reputation precedes us.

UCU is a powerful union, with over 110,000 members. Working together, across the regions and nationally, we could convert that power in action.

In case you are reading this blog and are not a member, there’s never a better or relevant time to join a union. Join UCU.

Join now https://www.ucu.org.uk/join

Marian Mayer