Christina Jessika Marie Paine (London Metropolitan University)

Election address

Lecturer in Music London Metropolitan University

University of London PhD Student

Vice-chair London Region HE Committee, Anti-casualisation rep

Member of UCU DMSC and WMSC Committees

UCU delegate at Disabled and Women's TUC conferences

Former HE NEC Casualised Members Rep 2016-2020

Former Vice-Chair for Anti casualisation and Women members' Standing Committees.

Member of UCU Left

Nationally, I have pioneered with UCU work on anti-casualisation; shared parental leave, maternity pay, sexual and domestic violence, the 'safe sex' work statement, REF for women's committee, embedding workload, casualisation and equality in national disputes.

In 2022-23, I led strike action, and MAB while rebuilding London Metropolitan UCU branch, pushing claims on workload, proper assimilation, job evaluation, and pay for casualised workers.

In 2016-17 at London Met, I was instrumental as our branch fought repeated restructuring crises; Save the Cass Art School campaign; and now ending casualisation, for safe workloads; against workplace stress, for disability rights, ending institutional racism, menopause adjustments, and maternity pay for casualised workers.

With other unions and the media, I have brought significant publicity to Anti-casualisation, Women's Rights and Disability

Across all sectors, UCU members, including women members, face

·     A 'cost of living' crisis and declining pay

·     Progression stifled

·     Impossible workloads

·     Harassment and domestic violence

·     Lack of maternity, paternity and parental leave for casualised staff

·     Pressure on family life

We need:

·     An end to casualisation, pay gaps

·     Equal career progression and pensions

·     Meaningful shared parental leave.

Equality is the heart of everything I stand for. I am a casualised, disabled, female lecturer. I have fought tirelessly for an end to casualisation; for equality, and for decent 'inflation-beating' pay.

If elected, I will:

·     Campaign for full inclusion for women members in union structures;

·     Fight for decent pensions for all, notably now TPS in post-92s

·     Support negotiations to end penalisation for having children; for shared parental leave, disability rights, menopause adjustments, and maternity pay

·      Build networks, mentoring schemes and community for all women workers

·     Tackle sexual harassment, domestic violence as workplace issues

·     Build national action on casualisation for FE and HE staff.

·     Tackle disproportionate casualisation of black women; oppose all scapegoating of migrants and disabled people

·     Fight for a democratic, worker-led structure which acts upon membership decisions

I am a committed trade unionist, with a strong track record as a branch and regional activist and past NEC service.  Supporting women's equality is core to my trade union practice.  A fellow branch officer said of me:

I was made welcome by Christina, who went out of her way to ensure my views were heard. After seeing how hard she works for the union, I felt inspired to get more involved. I know that if elected, Christina will work extremely hard and do an excellent job.