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

Thursday 4th January 2007

Privatisation and education

“You may have heard that the Language Centre (LC) here at Newcastle is effectively being privatised. UCU held a 50 strong lobby (mainly LC staff and students) in opposition to these proposals last week. The University and VC have effectively ignored this lobby. He also mentions in his message that the company responsible (INTO) are forming joint venture companies with several other universities in due course. Is there any chance that you could look into whether a national campaign could be launched against this privatisation - this would certainly bolster the confidence of LC staff here.

Geoff, Newcastle.

One of the current Government’s less savoury dogmas is the high standing it gives to private sector involvement in public services. This is generally an evidence-free policy as health service academics, for example, can testify.

There is already considerable private sector involvement in aspects of further education and prison education has felt the full brunt of this dogma. It is likely that more private universities will follow Buckingham and of course private sector companies already have substantial influence on research, sometimes with serious consequences for academic freedom.

Even where there is no a direct private takeover, the Government believes that (as in City academies) the involvement of used car salesmen and retired carpet magnates will somehow improve schools standards.

A good example of research on privatisation – undertaken incidentally by UCU and other trade unions can be found here.

On your specific question, I’d have thought it essential that we run a co-ordinated national campaign against the privatisation of language centres. It would be disastrous if we fight this on a case by case basis, especially as we already know Exeter is a target too. There are equality issues here (has there been an impact assessment on this proposal for example, what will happen to the pay, terms and conditions of staff).

The privatisation of Language Centres has been one of Sally’s areas of responsibility so I will pass your inquiry directly on to her.
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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.