Tom Jones (University of St Andrews)

Election address

Over the last fifteen years of my active involvement in our union, I have seen UCU Scotland contribute to major initiatives in the sector and the broader labour movement: on university governance, just transition, gender-based violence, and many other issues. I want to make a contribution to that work.

My experience at UCU St Andrews includes: branch committee member 2003-present; Treasurer 2013-2016; President 2016-20; Local Organiser 2020-present. I am a caseworker with 15 years' experience. I was branch President during the USS and part of the USS/Four Fights disputes 2018-20. Together with an active committee and network of workplace reps, I worked hard to represent members' views to senior management and to UCU's UK-level structures. Membership at St Andrews increased by over 50% in 2018-19, and has continued to increase. I believe that colleagues join and commit to their union when they see an active, responsive organisation take committed action to defend members and argue for a socially just and inclusive workplace and sector.

I have been involved in many campaigns and negotiations at branch level. For ten years I have been a branch negotiator. In continual dialogue with casualised members, I have represented the branch on a working group that will introduce a more secure contract for doctoral students who teach. I have pressed for the development of a disability policy and for direct involvement of members with disabilities in framing and drafting the policy, which is nearing implementation.

I have frequently attended UCUS briefing events on UK-wide industrial campaigns, and on the gender pay gap, supporting trans staff, casualisation, and other issues. I have represented my branch at UCU Scotland Executive when branch President and at other times, and frequently attended UCU Scotland Congress and UCU's UK Congress and HE Sector Conferences, as well as special sector conferences on disputes. I have initiated Scotland and UK-level conference motions on developing resources to help members put UCU policies into action, and on multi-year pay claims.

I believe in:

• a union that combines building active branches, co-ordination at regional, national and UK-levels, and political work;
• a union that is creative and reflective when devising campaigns and action, and commits to serious industrial action when necessary;
• a union in which equalities work is the responsibility of all members, and not an additional burden for those possessing protected characteristics;
• a union that sees education as central to the transformation of society and political change, not just a service industry or an economic driver.

If elected UCU Scotland Vice President I would work with the other officers, officials and branches to continue building the union.

I am a Reader in the School of English at the University of St Andrews.