Dr Gillian Jack (Open University)

Associate Lecturer, History, The Open University 

Election address

Our sector is in crisis. We face devastating redundancies, institutional bankruptcies, department closures, and the widespread devaluation of our work. The government has failed to act, leaving institutions at the mercy of the marketisation that has brought us here. Senior managers look to replace skilled and dedicated staff with untested automation. Equality, diversity and inclusion are under attack by the right, in the media, and by managers who are unwilling to invest in people. We see managers chase equalities accreditation while failing to make substantive change. Everywhere, overwork is normalised.  

At the Open University, as at many other institutions, we have seen threats of compulsory redundancies, vastly expensive and counter-productive 'restructuring' which has cost ARPS jobs, much to the detriment of both students and remaining staff. This is an ongoing and insidious undervaluing of skills and expertise, particularly of staff in professional services and in teaching-only roles. Despite winning open-ended contracts at the OU, teaching-only associate lecturers are still frequently excluded, overlooked, and our skills and expertise undervalued. As a rep and caseworker, I have seen the effect all of this has on wellbeing, and despite management lip service, tangible action is rare. Minoritised staff, especially those with disabilities, bear the brunt.  

The union needs to become more effective at challenging this. The sector crisis meant that we were barely able to celebrate our huge success on pensions before branches had to immediately pivot to the next fight. Many members are tired, disengaged, and disillusioned. 

Strikes are an important part of our toolkit, but only one part. For many members, especially those precariously employed or who are worried for their jobs, strike action is a big ask. We must take stock of where we are now and find ways to increase and reenergise our membership. We need a new strategy that is realistic and will inspire participation because it can win. Branches cannot campaign locally and recruit effectively while they are consumed with GTVO, which frustrates some members. I will push for UCU to listen to members, including the less involved, because without the majority engagement, ballots will always be a coin toss; and failed ballots weaken our negotiating position locally and nationally. 

I have been involved in my branch as a rep, caseworker and exec member. I have been our Equalities Officer (now a shared role) since 2023, working on improving reasonable adjustments for staff, and trans inclusion, among other issues. I have sat on the Women Members' Standing Committee since 2022.  

For Vice-President, I endorse Suzi Toole (FE) and Mark Pendleton (HE). I am a member of UCU Commons: for more information about us, please visit: https://ucucommons.org/election26