Roddy Slorach

UCU NEC elections: 
Vote Roddy Slorach for UK-Elected HE

For a campaigning and democratic member-led union

I work as Senior Disability Advisor at Imperial College London and am one of several academic-related staff active on our branch committee. I was re-elected as Branch Secretary at last year’s AGM. I arrange regular meetings of reps and members and have helped build our reps’ network over the years.

 I have helped organise recent industrial action in the current HE disputes. Pay is a local issue at Imperial. As GTVO organiser, I helped achieve a turnout of over 61 per cent in our industrial action ballot. As a picket coordinator, I facilitated a member-led dispute, with daily strike meetings, including Zoom links to ensure accessibility for all members. 

Imperial College played a prominent role in influencing government policy over COVID-19, but like other HEIs its practice in relation to safety on campus has often been found wanting. As one of the Health and Safety reps, I have worked to hold our management to account on its COVID policies. 

Solidarity

Over the last three years, I have worked with activists in other branches to build the UCU Solidarity Movement. This network has become a vital means of building support for disputes across UCU, providing an important forum for grassroots discussion. Annual UCU conference voted to support the Solidarity Movement. 

As a member of UCU Left, I want to build a member-led union that campaigns for a free public higher education system. Many of the problems we face are a direct consequence of the marketisation of education. The result is ever-growing workloads, constant bullying and harassment, and increasing mental distress across the workforce. We must tackle excessive workloads and defend the post-92 national contract.

Equality

I am proud of UCU’s work in promoting equality, which must be central to our concerns as education workers. I’ve taken an active interest in disability issues for many years, have published a book on the history and politics of disability and was previously active on the UCU Disabled Members Standing Committee. We must continue to challenge racism on campus and, more widely, defend BAME staff and students. I stand for everyone’s right to choose their gender identity and to have that identity respected. 

The climate emergency has become an urgent priority issue. I currently work as part of a coalition of staff and students at Imperial which campaigns for immediate action over the climate crisis. This is a vital part of building staff and student solidarity. 

Uniting the Four Fights and USS disputes has built unity across pre- and post-92 HE sectors and strengthened each dispute.

My priorities in standing for NEC include defence of pay and conditions, academic freedom and accountability to members. I support Maria Chondrogianni for Vice President.