Jackie Grant (University of Sussex)

Jackie Grant (University of Sussex) 

Election address 

I am a Senior Teaching Fellow in Physics at the University of Sussex. I believe strong, organised, democratic and accountable unions are a powerful force for progress within the sector, society and globally through our international solidarities.   

As a committee member I have been Finance and Pensions Officer, Negotiator and Vice-President for the UCU branch of Sussex and the Institute of Development Studies. This work has involved commissioning and producing financial reports, organising against restructuring and overturning planned redundancies. I was the UCU member of Senate and responsible for writing reports and winning motions at Senate to review decisions on cuts and prevent department closures and job losses.   

I am incredibly proud of the work the branch does, especially the work of PGR reps in winning sector-leading contracts, and the committee at the Study Group International Study Centre, only the second ISC to gain UCU recognition. It was a privilege to work with colleagues, to gain union recognition and support campaigns and negotiations. Strategic national support is critical for new branches and PGR reps fighting for recognition and better conditions. Local wins and negotiated agreements can then underpin and drive national campaigns including, for example, for PGR pension rights.  

Since 2022 I have been an elected USS pensions negotiator for UCU. This role followed the devastating cuts of 2020. I worked tirelessly with others to unpick the arguments presented by employers and USS, to build a negotiating and valuation position that would see pensions fully restored and a £0.9bn recovery progressively distributed to those with the lowest income. This work continues alongside a focus on the £80bn USS investment strategy. Since 2018 I have  

worked with Ethics4USS, including in their development of DivestUSS and the work on fossil fuels, arms and extractive economies ahead of the announcement of USS exclusions in 2020. This work continues, and I have recently been elected to the UCU Climate and Ecological Emergency Committee, where I am learning from colleagues across branches.  

The sector is at a critical crisis point, brought about by years of marketisation, bad policies and poor leadership. Our fight needs to be strong, strategic and co-ordinated. It needs to build on wins, and be backed by evidence, political campaigning and whole community engagement. I support taking strong action when needed but believe that industrial action needs to be informed by data, strategy and consultation. It is vital that we understand different views and learn from each other to build and agree on positions that best achieve these wins.  

I am asking you to place trust in me by electing me as a member of the National Executive Committee.