Pauline Rattery (Novus)

Pauline Rattery (Novus) 

Election address  

I am passionate about seeking election for the Black members' seat of the UCU NEC because as a Novus representative within the prison education sector at HMP Wormwood Scrubs Prison, I have experience on a personal and professional level of how institutions prevent progression and marginalize individuals.   

Far too often where these injustices occur I find myself representing members on a range of issues that consist of disciplinary hearings, return to work reviews, dismissal appeals and redundancy meetings.   

I believe that UCU should prioritise pushing employers across FE, prisons, universities and adult education to address inequality in the recruitment and selection process.   

I would like to see UCU support fair recruitment that strives to provide access for all, especially in senior management positions. We should support delivering equality across all grades, genders, race and disability, as well as transparency of yearly data where posts are advertised.  

This process will generate new ways of thinking and challenge cultural norms to fight the injustice of inequality and reflect the diverse staff in our sectors. If elected, I will work to ensure this is a top UCU priority. I will work against nepotism and preferential treatment and fight for racial equality.   

Work overload and stress  

I would also like to use my position to campaign for more of a spotlight on workload and stress. It is well overdue for employers to enact their legal duties to minimize work overload and enhance work-life balance. Our reps need support to challenge stress and workload and health and safety legislation is our strongest tool.   

If elected, I want all UCU members to stand together, only a collective approach will successfully stand up to discrimination, prejudice and systematic biases. I want us to challenge poor practices and install new ones that create opportunities to generate a fairer working environment for all.  

Amongst the cross-sectoral challenges we face are excessive workloads, high turnover of staff and morale at an all-time low. This is particularly pronounced for Black workers and women and we need an intersectional approach to tackling these issues.   

I will be voting for Dyfrig Jones as Vice President and Andrew Feeney as honorary Treasurer and would encourage you to do the same.  Please offer your 1 and 2 votes to Josh Spears and Linda Littler in the UK-elected FE positions.   

As a rep, I use my skills to listen to and represent my members by ensuring their concerns are heard and I am committed to challenging injustices and empowering my members to do the same. I work hard to resolve issues and enforce fairness and equality at the heart of everything I say and do and believe I can bring these skills to the NEC.