Monica Lawson (New College Swindon)

English Lecturer, English & Languages, New College Swindon 

Election address

I'm standing for the UCU NEC FE Women's Seat because I believe our union must continue to be a powerful, democratic, and inclusive force — one that defends all members and challenges the inequalities that still shape our workplaces. Day in, day out the mounting pressures facing staff in all areas of FE are affecting wellbeing and have a direct correlation in staff leaving the sector in their droves.  

As a woman working in post-16 education, I've seen first-hand how gendered inequalities intersect with casualisation, workload intensification, racism, ableism, and the persistent undervaluing of care and academic labour. Women are disproportionately on precarious contracts, doing unpaid pastoral work, and facing harassment and discrimination. UCU must lead the fight to change this — nationally and locally. Because FE bargaining structures differ across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, our national strategy should be shaped with devolved-nation Reps at its heart - working together to build genuine, Union-wide solidarity.  

I've been active in my branch at New College Swindon as a Rep, Branch Secretary and now Branch Chair, building member-led campaigns for fair pay, secure contracts, and against sexual harassment. I've worked to ensure women's voices are at the centre of our struggles — not as an add-on, but as essential to transforming our union and our sector.  

If elected to NEC, I will:  

·       Fight for a bold industrial strategy to win real pay rises and end casualisation.  

·       Campaign for stronger equalities structures and accountability at every level of   UCU.  

·       Champion intersectional feminism in our workplaces and the union's policies and practice.  

·       Defend trans rights and stand in solidarity with all oppressed groups.  

·       Work for a democratic, member-led union that empowers every branch. UCU is strongest when we act together — when our feminism is collective, inclusive, and rooted in workplace struggle. I want to help build that union.  

Please vote for:  

I am supporting Suzi Toole (FE) and Mark Pendleton (HE) in the Vice President elections, Scott Hunter for UK-elected members FE alongside a slate of candidates which can be found here.