Committee Elections 2023-24

Nominations have posed for the 2023-24 UCU branch committee. The below candidates have been elected uncontested to the committee.

OFFICERS 

President: Nika Balomenou 

Vice-President: Mahaboob Basha   

Secretary: Siân Neilson

Membership Secretary: Teresa Phipps  

ORDINARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS (9)        

  • Peter Arnold
  • Val Aston
  • Nick Felstead
  • Katherine Fender
  • Brian Garrod
  • Sue Jordan
  • Jacqueline Rosette
  • Alexandra Sardani
  • Jess Whitney

Treasurer Election

As there is more than one eligible candidate for this post there will be a election.

This is an electronic ballot which is being undertaken by UCU Head Office and all members will receive a link via their preferred email. Please check your spam folder for emails from noreply@ucu.org.uk if you have not received your ballot.

Candidates

Emily Lowthian

Howard Moss

Treasurer Role Description – per local rules

The treasurer will have custody of the funds of the branch and authority to make payments from them in accordance with the rules as the need arises. The treasurer’s duties will be to keep the books of the branch; to present the accounts of the branch for auditing as necessary; to present these audited accounts to a general meeting of the branch, to publish them to all members of the branch, and to submit a copy forthwith to the honorary treasurer of UCU. In the absence of the treasurer, the treasurer’s duties will be performed by another officer or committee member as the committee decides.

Candidate Statements

Emily Lowthian

I am a passionate activist for equity and fair working conditions for members. I have a wealth of experience which would be valuable for a Treasurer position:

  • Supporting role in coordinating the Marking and Assessment Boycott; attending every drop-in to support members with their queries, alongside developing student infographics, and staff support materials.
  • History of supporting students to co-ordinate group responses to industrial action in solidarity with UCU, to fight for their teaching and learning conditions.
  • Spoken on BBC Radio 5 in support for the Marking and Assessment Boycott, along with a BBC Wales interview, aired on the 14th of June.
  • Co-developed the fundraising strategy for the Marking and Assessment Boycott, which has now reached over £4,000 to support our members financially.
  • I have plans to raise the £4,000 further by connecting with other organisations, and encouraging members not partaking in the boycott to donate monthly.
  • Over the year, I will further fundraise for the branch, such as a 100-club lottery.
  • In terms of my activist stance, I protested for transgender people’s rights in-linewith the Taliesin event.
  • Lastly, I have supported colleagues in disputes with their employer, with plans to become a caseworker.

Vote Emily for Treasurer!

Howard Moss

First thing is I’m delighted that, for the first time in many years, we have contests for committee posts. That people are prepared to come forward and offer their commitment to the union bespeaks a vigorous and progressive branch. For myself I am pleased to be treasurer candidate again, having held the post for 15+ years and previously been branch president, vice-president and membership secretary. During the whole of this period I have also represented members in several hundred personal cases. If someone says change is good, I will of course agree. But people will also appreciate that custodianship of the branch funds, though it may be seen as a background role, is especially important. The advice that the treasurer is called upon to give to the committee and to the membership on using our funds wisely, while also keeping the branch financially secure, requires the kind of knowledge and experience I believe I have accumulated over my long period in that office. At the same time I would, if re-elected, wish to offer training to others on or off the committee to ensurethat the treasurer’s role remains in secure hands for the foreseeable future.

     

Since the number of candidates for the above officer posts does not exceed the number of vacancies, I declare the members nominated to be duly elected under Rules 9.4(a) and 9.4(b).