Christina Jessika Marie Paine (London Metropolitan University)

Lecturer, School of Art Architecture & Design, London Metropolitan University  

Election address 

• Lecturer (Music and Critical Studies), London Metropolitan University, UCU Branch Chair  

• Elected member of Academic Board  

• PhD Student, University of London  

UCU  

• Post-92 HE Pay Negotiator (2025-26)  

• NEC Member, London & East (2024-26)  

• Vice-Chair, London Region (2025-26)  

• Vice-Chair, Anticasualisation Committee (2025-26)  

• Disabled Members' Standing Committee  

• HE NEC Casualised Members' Rep (2016-20)  

• Vice-Chair, TUC Creative & Leisure Industries Committee (2025-26)  

• UCU Left, supporting Sean Wallis and Regi Pilling for VPs  

My experience  

As a disabled woman and casualised worker for 20 years, equality and compassion are at the heart of myunion activity.  

As London region rep, I founded the London Region Anti-Casualisation Network, uniting FE and HE on hidden redundancies. I have led on an emergency HE package, anti-racism, freedom for Palestine, and disability rights (supporting DPAC and parliamentary PIP protests).  

I work with many unions and campaign groups, most recently through  the  Arts  and  Minds  Campaign to restore arts subjects to the core school curriculum, FE and HE.  

As UCU ACC Vice-Chair, I've led on frontline issues for over a decade, including joint-sector action and, through motions to Congress and NEC, to call action on hidden redundancies.  

As HE pay negotiator, I have called for decent pay rise, a fully funded HE system, and  secure, equitable work for all, negotiating through  the  Equality  and  Contract Types  Working Groups. Across UCU, I have led on equality issues: reasonable adjustments, pay gaps, gender-based violence, disability, menopause, miscarriage, shared parental leave, and maternity pay for all workers.  

I have systematically rebuilt the LMU branch; led strikes, including the Save the Cass Art School campaign; created an LMU free-Palestine group; driven claims on workload, assimilation to fractional posts, job evaluation, and fair pay for casualised lecturers.  

Vote for me so I can continue to campaign for:  

• Action to end casualisation; for a decent pay increase; and a fully funded, free-at- point-of access HE system.  

• UK-wide campaign against job losses - building on the action taken by Dundee,  Leicester,  Newcastle  and  others.  

• Defend the post 92 contract and pensions.  

• Equality bargaining in national disputes.  

• Action against the far-right threat and radical antiracist movement   

• Comprehensive women's rights policy (equal pay, trans rights, abortion and miscarriage leave; pregnancy; shared parental leave; menopause adjustments; pensions, gender recognition; and maternity pay for casualised staff).  

• Restoring arts, music and humanities teaching in the HE and FE sectors.  

• Radical action on reasonable adjustments.  

• Action to combat the looming climate catastrophe.  

To win good working conditions and professional dignity, we need an inclusive, democratic, grassroots union allied to a fighting and effective leadership.  

With your vote, I will progress this work.