Grant Buttars (University of Edinburgh)

Grant Buttars (University of Edinburgh) 

Election address 

I am standing for the role of UCU Scotland President. At present, I am UCU Scotland Vice President and this is my third term on UCU Scotland Executive, having also served 2 terms as an ordinary-elected member. I also chair UCU Scotland Education Committee.  

I am also separately elected to NEC, sitting on HEC and Education Committee, and previously on ROCC. I also sit on Academic Related Professional Staff (ARPS) Committee. I have worked as an archivist at the University of Edinburgh since 2001. Between 2018 and 2023, I was Branch President at Edinburgh, where I have also served as Communications Officer and as an Ordinary Committee member. I am currently branch ARPS rep. I bring knowledge and expertise of all levels of union work to the role of President.  

It is incumbent on anybody holding elected office within the union to represent members and to hold power to account on behalf of members. The power we hold as elected representatives is loaned to us by our members and is exercised on their behalf. If we see the union not functioning as it should, we must not be silent.  

Anybody in elected office has the responsibility, when acting in that capacity, to represent the policy of the union and not engage in activity contrary to such policy. That is not to say we are merely empty vessels with no opinions of our own and that dissent should be avoided. I am an unapologetic socialist and these are my guiding principles. In appropriate fora I will argue and advocate from that position. However, when representing our union as Scotland President, I will always put democratically agreed union policy first.  

In the current crisis, with challenges around cuts and redundancies affecting every branch directly or indirectly, it is more important than ever that we fight back together, building solidarity with our fellow campus unions and our students. Our strength comes from our numbers as a collective. Atomised fights only benefit the bosses.  

A trade union must be an exemplary employer and nurture within itself the same values and principles we demand of employers, government and others. The ongoing disputes between UCU and its staff cast a very dark shadow upon all of us. UCU staff are workers just like us and I reiterate my solidarity with them. These disputes must be resolved satisfactorily without delay and likewise the one with Black Members Standing Committee with which they are entwined. A union cannot properly fight for equality for its members with this issue unresolved.  

I am endorsing Rhiannon Lockley for Vice President HE, Carlo Morelli for UCU Scotland Secretary. Further details / endorsements at https://grantbuttarsucu.wordpress.com/.