A message from Roger

The UCU general secretary ballot result has now been declared and Sally Hunt has been elected. The union and our members face major and difficult challenges from employers and government in almost every aspect of our working lives. The turnout was just 13.9 per cent which in itself suggests the scale of the challenge the union faces. I wish Sally Hunt very well in meeting those challenges. To meet them successfully will require a clear strategic vision and a determined articulate response which members can have confidence in and ownership of. I will seek to play my part in ensuring that is the case through my continuing role as Head of Equality and Employment Rights Finally I would like to sincerely thank the hundreds of members who sent messages of support and campaigned during the election.

Tuesday, 9 January 2007

Sunday 31st December 2006

Should UCU join campaigns on foreign wars?

“Judgement day” – Observer headline on the execution of Saddam Hussein

What a mess. I don’t support capital punishment. I have been a member of Amnesty International for two decades.

Saddam was a butcher guilty of crimes against humanity. But where were those now quietly applauding his death when he gassed the Kurdish people and murdered thousands of others? Selling arms to him or seeing him as an ally against the Iranians.

Hypocrites. Some UCU members have queried why their union should be involved in campaigns against Stop the War.

The reason is simple. Trade unions are rightly not just interested in the pay terms and conditions of our members. We are also a social movement with a conscience. We oppose – I hope – injustice everywhere. Not at the expense of our “bread and butter“ work but in a way that enriches it. Moreover the war consumes vast amounts of monies that would be much better spent on health and education in this country.

If you want to join Amnesty International as an individual members I’d encourage you to do so.

If you want to know more about Stop the War click here.
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A trade unionist all his working life. An activist and a proud campaigner, Roger has consistently worked to defend human rights of workers. As the leader of the Equality and Employment Rights team in the newly formed UCU he continues to unite the movement around equality and keep employment rights at the top of the agenda.