Nina Doran (FE Central Group England)

Post 19 Tutor, Liverpool City Region, Sefton Community Learning Service, Sefton Council

Election address

FE Lecturer and Adult Educator for over 30 years.

The Post 16 Sector used to be a well paid respected profession with a diverse curriculum. This is very much a future possibility if we use our collective strength to educate, organise and mobilise members in our union.

Our sectors have been increasingly devalued; workload is increasing; it is vital that we work as a united union to increase members' pay, improve terms & conditions and campaign for real education.

Members look for strategies, hope and optimism in leadership and I will bring these to the role.

My TU roles

Previous 2 FULL terms on the NEC; I was fully active by supporting local and national campaigns, attending NW picket lines and speaking at other NW branch meetings during disputes.

I've been a union activist for over 20 years including senior negotiator, Chair, Secretary, Health & Safety, Union Learning Rep. 

I have served on the North West Regional Committee as Assistant Secretary and Secretary.

Campaigning, negotiating, organising

As reps we need to be energetic and to verbalise clearly the options we have as teachers and union members via campaigning on issues and organising events; this way we build camaraderie which in turn inspires to recruit new members.

Pay: We are all too aware of how our pay has been devalued and the unacceptable pay inequality within our sector.

At my local branch level I was active in fighting on pay, and we succeeded!  I understand the work required, how to develop branch organisation and how to engage members, as well as effectively communicating with local councillors and MPs to build our profile.  During strike days, I set up fundraising events to support members facing hardship, particularly our casualised staff.

Workload and H&S: Through negotiations we removed the worst aspects of an Observation Policy.  We also succeeded on the maximum numbers in classrooms that had previously created risks. Increasingly staff suffer workplace stress, an absolute blight on our sector, and we must redouble our efforts to challenge the unsafe working environments due to workload and bullying.

Equality: the rise of Reform & UKIP emphasise the need for UCU to do everything it can to fight division. We must stand together with our refugees, black, migrant, LGBTQ+, disabled and women members.

As regional delegate I was active in doubling the reps for disability and Health & Safety.

I was a volunteer for a Domestic Abuse Organisation in Liverpool for 25+ years.

I have experience on the NEC so I am ready to be fully active and support the NW branches.