Dr Carlo Morelli (University of Dundee)

Dr Carlo Morelli (University of Dundee) 

Election address 

Trade union service  

Chair of USS Advisory Committee: past USS negotiator on USS JNC.  

UCU Scotland Honorary Secretary NEC member: previously UCU Scotland President & UK-wide elected member for 6 years.  

Member of Dundee UCU Committee for over 20 years & past president  

Delegate to UCU Congress, STUC and TUC  

Member of UCU Left and Stand Up To Racism   

Senior Lecturer in Economics, Dundee University  

Save Higher Education  

Half of UK universities are cutting jobs, this includes many in Scotland. The existence of the sector is under threat. Marketisation in Scotland is driven by managements' who share the group think of forcing debt via maintenance loans for home students and exploiting international and rUK students' tuition fees. Simultaneously, the racist 'hostile environment' is consciously used racism to undermine the University sector.  

Attempts to leave branches to fight these cuts institution by institution weakens us. We need a UK-wide and Scottish-wide campaign to save HE, against job cuts and end the racist environment. Unity is our strength. Unity can build a campaign to drive the market out of education.  

Stand Up To Racism  

Trump, Farage and the rise of fascism in Europe means we must place anti-racism central to our union and workplaces. Racism is designed to scapegoat minorities and divert attention from where the problems in our society originate. No immigrant is illegal, and universities should stop policing immigration through draconian monitoring and reporting on students and staff. I have been a supporter of the Sheku Bayoh campaign since the start and stand up for students facing racism Blind student facing deportation says university reneged on support | University of Dundee | The Guardian  

Equality  

Equality continues to be under attack. I am committed to ensuring equality remains central to UCU Scotland. I will always support members standing up for trans-rights / non-binary rights, facing threats of internal complaints or employment tribunals.  

USS and pensions  

I was a USS negotiator during the 2018-19 strike. Five years of strike action shows we can win. I am currently leading the campaign in the USS Advisory Cttee to ensure cohabiting relationships are recognised for automatic survivor pensions. As an NEC member I will continue to focus attention on threats to the Scottish TPS and USS. I support our union's policy on decarbonising and decolonising our pension schemes.  

Palestine and Academic Boycott  

Universities are legally complicit in genocide in Gaza, via their investments and engagement with Israeli Universities. Yet, the IHRA definition is used to clamp down on student protest and pro-Palestinian voices. UCU Scotland should continue its work on building solidarity with Higher Education in Palestine. We can all play our part by individually joining the Academic Boycott of Israeli Universities.