1. http://ucustirling.org.uk

2. 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. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11.  “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” Quotes from past members “You never know when you will need help and support but then it is too late to join!”

12.  “I've been a member of a trades union all my adult working life in the public sector - schools, FE colleges, quasi-NGOs and universities. I joined a union because it was what everyone did, then I figured trades unions were about more than just backing "our" annual pay claim. I'm currently experiencing what "more than" means. My employer - University of Stirling - raised disciplinary action against me. My UCU caseworker - a colleague in another department – is giving their time to support me through this difficult situation. Nine-months on I wouldn't still be at Stirling if it wasn't for the support of the branch, but especially my branch caseworker - I'd have just thrown in the towel. I'm still in a struggle but the support of my UCU caseworker is invaluable.” Quote from a current member

13. President: Simon Booth (s.p.booth@stir.ac.uk) Casework Co-ordinator: Bethan Benwell (b.m.benwell@stir.ac.uk) Administrator: Pam McGibbon (PMcGibbon2@ucu.org.uk)

14. You can join online now at: http://ucustirling.org.uk and follow the link on the right side that says ‘You can join UCU online now!’

15. 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)