Mike Barton

Mike Barton for Trustee

I was a member of NATFHE then UCU since its inception. I have been a member of the UPW, TGWU, AUEW, MU, GPMU and Amicus. For several years, I was the assistant secretary of Waltham Forest Trades Council.

I retired in 2019. I worked for six years at City and Islington College on a Variable Hours Contract where I became a casualised rep, serving two years on UCU’s national Anti Casualisation Committee.

As a trustee I will be a faithful and responsible steward of UCU assets, making sure we protect our ability to represent members, when they need representation, and keep our finances in good order, so that we can operate as an independent trade union.  I support building up the fighting fund so that we can support major disputes, when needed.

I am a director of the Big Ride for Palestine which organises an annual bike ride in solidarity with Palestine and raises funds for both the Middle East Childrens Alliance and the Gaza Sunbirds (a Gaza-based paracycling team). The Palestinian people need our solidarity now more than ever.

From my work experience in several institutions I know that good union organisation makes a real difference. In 2011, I was a full-time Computing lecturer at North West Kent. Lecturers’ contracts required membership of the Institute for Learning for CPD. The IFL then imposed a fee which was boycotted by UCU. The IFL threatened to ban boycotting lecturers from the classroom. The UCU Further Education Committee voted to maintain the boycott and the IFL withdrew the fee. The lesson is that when we are united and stand firm, we can win.

In 2013, as branch secretary at Redbridge College, we resurrected a dormant branch but were then derecognised. After a merger with two colleges with strong branches, we achieved a recognition agreement. In 2017 we struck for better pay. The branch was offered a deal which would raise academic salaries. This offer was refused until management also agreed to negotiate on academic support contracts.

Both with the IFL and at Redbridge College, it was local organisation plus effective regional organisation which was effective. 

We now have a Labour Government which may make some positive moves on workers’ rights, but unions will need to continue to be an independent voice for working people. We must oppose any return to austerity policies. The role of trustee is not one of political leadership but I believe it is important to elect trustees who understand that our unity and organisation are key to defending the union.

I am a supporter of UCU Left.