1. Welcome to Stirling Branch UCU
Jim Bradley
Acting President, UCU Stirling Branch

2. UCU: Who we are
UCU represents academic and professional staff in further and higher education:
Lecturers and professors
Tutors and researchers
Instructors and trainers
Senior professional staff and managers
Postgraduate students employed in academic and related posts
Administration, library and computing staff (pre-92
universities only)

3. Why should I become a member?
Because you will be better off with us as we will provide:
Representation if you have a problem at work – in one recent year we won more than £7million in legal settlements for our members
Negotiation of your pay and conditions
Lobbying to improve the status of further and higher education staff

4. How will the Union help me? (1)
By:
Giving advice, support and representation for you if you are having a problem with your employer, through the use of caseworkers
Ensuring that changes are negotiated rather than imposed
Offering spin-off benefits including attendance on training courses
Providing the opportunity to discuss your grievances with other members
Staff members in unionised workplaces are usually paid more and the more members who are active, the more likely it is that change can be achieved

5. How will the Union help me? (2)
By helping you build your career:
CPD training including classroom management, voice care, and getting published
Our ‘Early Careers Guide for New Staff’ free to members
Access to all our professional publications including our magazine ‘UC’, our specialist networks for young members, fixed term staff, prison educators, adult educators and researchers

6. How will the Union help me? (3)
By campaigning on your behalf: Nationally and locally
Defending your pay and conditions
Defending access to public education
Making the case for more funding for education
Lobbying for greater status and professional support for educators
Promoting equality in the workplace

7. How will the Union help me? (4)
By giving you the opportunity to be part of something bigger
With 120,000 members, we are the biggest union for tertiary education staff in the world
We are part of a 6 million strong UK trade union movement
We are described by The Guardian as “the UK’s leading academic lobby”
We are the largest community of academic professionals in the UK

8. How will the Union help me? (5)
Because:
We have a proven track record of representing the specialist interests of staff in further and higher education
We are a vibrant democratic community, improving the working lives of education staff
We are the voice of our profession to government and employers

9. How can I help the Union? By:
Attending general meetings and participating in the proceedings
Volunteering to help with putting up posters and distributing flyers in mail trays, when required
Offering to attend training courses to enable you to participate in Committee activities
Becoming a School representative
Volunteering to become a caseworker. Caseworkers are very urgently needed and play a hugely important role in the functioning of the Union
Agreeing to speak to non-members to encourage them to join the Union

10. Some quotes from past members
“The training was excellent and summary of important information most helpful.  For those who want to be more involved, it is essential.”
“UCU does amazing work and I was very happy to participate in meaningful activities during my time here. I wish you all the best .”
“Thanks again for all the UCU support over the years and keep fighting the good fight!”
“Thank you for the card and beautiful gift that were waiting for me here this morning.  It was very kind and touching.  It is reassuring to be reminded that there are islands of decency and humanity in this cut-throat world… Keep up the good work, needed now more than ever!”
“It has been great to be part of such a nice team of people in Scotland and I will miss everyone very much”
“You never know when you will need help and support
but then it is too late to join!”

11. Contacts Acting President:
Jim Bradley, School of Education
Vice President Membership:
Jim Bradley, School of Education
Vice President Casework:
Bethan Benwell, School of Arts & Humanities
Secretary:
Marilyn Scott, Information Services
Administrator:
Pam McGibbon

12. You can join online now at:
How to join
You can join online now at:
and follow the link on the right side that says
‘You can join UCU online now!’

13. Information about the other two Campus Unions
Unison
Staff on clerical, manual, and administrative grades (excluding academics, e.g. secretary, cleaner)
Unite
All members of technical staff, including scientific, craftsperson (e.g. senior concierge, technician, plumber)
Unison and Unite both have the right to cover people up to grade 10.
Some technicians are grade 6 or 7 in Unite and a few Unison people are above grade 6.
Therefore there is overlap which needs to be acknowledged.