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.

Wednesday, 17 January 2007

Tuesday 16th January

On the road again

Eight hustings in three days. East Midlands yesterday. Scotland today.
It feels a bit like those alleged American tourist trips - 14 European capitals in 10 days.
It's fairly tiring and I already miss my fantastic wife Naledi and our two daughters Lauran,13, and Leah 11. Naledi has a very full time NHS job and we normally plan childcare, homework support and activity chauffeuring like a military operation. And that's before making sure we see plenty of my 89 year old mum.
They know it is a four week charge around the country doing the "day job" partly by email from a Blackberry and calls from a mobile phone but we discussed that last spring when considering whether I should stand.
I'm doing the girls school achievement day on Friday week but have had to tell Leah I'll be missing my next karate grading that evening on January 28th because I have missed practice and only kept up my running.
Anyway three hustings today. They force me to think and question. Excellent.
It's a pity that not everyone wanted to have a group of hustings before Xmas because we could have had more but spread out better in a more family friendly way. And more with an FE audience. But that's history.
As it some half of all hustings will only have two candidates present. Full list on my web site.
I've never understood, incidentally, why the union has banned UCU regional offices from advertising the hustings - surely we want the maximum turnout so candidates can be quizzed.?

What do members think I wonder?

Web sites and emails are fine but should compliment live debate and the live contrasting of views.

Postscript.
Reality check from a real touring band arrived in the post from the USA this morning - the latest CD from The Dave Kline Band.
The talented brother in the family is an ace jazz violinist - his last CD was "CD of the week" in The Washington Post. Hope this one is as successful!
Any music journalist critics reading - can send you a copy!
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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.