Endorsements

We are a group of casualised members of UCU from a variety of backgrounds: further and higher education, on hourly paid and fixed-term contracts, from teaching, research and support positions. Some of us are now precariously-employed having been made redundant from open-ended roles. We are enthusiastically endorsing Mark Pendleton (HE) and Suzi Toole (FE) for the roles of Vice President of UCU.

Both Mark and Suzi understand that casualisation is one of the biggest problems we face in our sectors. But they are also aware of the task ahead of us if we are to make any meaningful change to how we tackle this complex issue. The precarious workforce in post-16 education is not a monolith. It is a varied group with differing issues and priorities. Both Mark and Suzi will do the hard work of engaging with a variety of precarious members to understand how best to build broad-based engagement with UCU’s anti-casualisation campaigns.

Furthermore, both Mark and Suzi realise that precarity cannot be seen as a phenomenon distinct from spiralling workloads, increased managerialism and the suppression of academic freedom. They are also well aware that casualisation in post-16 education is more likely to be directly experienced by members of already marginalised groups and that by exacerbating the challenges faced by these colleagues casualisation represents a serious threat to any progress in increasing the diversity of the workforce in our sectors.

• Jo Edge, Visiting Lecturer, University of Hertfordshire
• Rebecca Linnett, Senior Research Associate, University of East Anglia
• Poppy Gerrard-Abbott, University of Edinburgh
• Dion Georgiou, Lecturer in History, Goldsmiths, University of London
• Ben Pope, Lecturer in Medieval European History, University of Manchester
• Andrew Ward, Barking and Dagenham College
• Tian Glasgow, Freelance Theatre Director and Visiting Lecturer, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts

We are the chairs of UCU’s five standing committees for the equality strands (women members, Black members, migrant members, LGBTQ+ members and disabled members), and we enthusiastically endorse Mark Pendleton (HE) and Suzi Toole (FE) for the roles of Vice President in UCU.

Both Mark and Suzi have amazing and unblemished records on fighting for equality within our union, as well as expanding the scope of its equality agenda. Mark had a leading role in the creation of the Migrant members’ equality strand in 2019-2020. They have both served - or are serving - in equality representative roles on the NEC and their respective sectoral committees (Mark as LGBTQ+ rep, and Suzi as women’s rep). They also have crucial experience of being in the negotiating rooms with employers; holding their feet to the fire and pushing them to do better for all members in our sectors. Both Mark and Suzi have shown that they can work with all sectors within UCU to ensure members are fully represented. 

Both Mark and Suzi will always champion any branch, member or group of members fighting for equality in our union. They will also be unceasing in their efforts to open up the union’s equalities work and campaigns to a broader section of the membership.

They are clear-eyed about the huge threat to our sectors’ marginalised communities as the strength of the far-right grows. But at the same time, they recognise and champion our union’s position as a leading voice on these issues. Trans people and migrants are the targets of the day in the far-right’s culture wars, and people look to UCU for bold, unflinching leadership on combating this rhetoric, and this is something of which all members should be proud. Mark and Suzi will work to build on the excellent, pioneering work we have already done because they can see how much more we are capable of. 

We have absolute confidence that if elected, Mark and Suzi will build on and strengthen this commitment. 

• Dr Matilda Fitzmaurice, Senior Teaching Associate, Lancaster University, NEC LGBT+ rep (HE), Chair of the LGBTQ+ Members’ Standing Committee
• Patricia Roche, Teacher of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Blackpool and the Fylde College, NEC Disabled Members’ rep (FE), Disabled Members’ TUC representative, Chair of the Disabled Members’ Standing Committee
• Professor Victoria Showunmi, University College London, Chair of the Black Members’ Standing Committee
• Dr Vivek Thuppil, Bangor UCU Vice President, Chair of the Migrant Members’ Standing Committee
• Suzi Toole, Teacher of Biology and Forensic Science, Bolton College, Chair of the Women Members’ Standing Committee, Chair of the FEC 

This is to endorse the candidacies of Suzi Toole for VP from the Further Education sector and Mark Pendleton for VP from the Higher Education sector, from the perspective of ARPS membership.

We are all one union, whatever sector we are in and whatever role we take. As ARPS members of staff, we need to work together to protect our mutual interests whilst being clear sighted of our specific needs. After all, ARPS includes roles as diverse as library staff, digital technology teams, finance administrators, disability and learning support, and far more. Both Suzi and Mark are consistent in their recognition and respect for the variety of staff who are part of UCU and the behaviours of both show meaningful engagement with respect to the values of our union. Between them they both have experiences of supporting or engaging in ARPS work, including providing UCU casework representation ensuring fair treatment of individuals or groups of ARPS staff, conducting staff policy research support, or working with an allied university charity. 

Suzi and Mark are kind, generous, incredibly smart people, who have clearly demonstrated how their actions and words show awareness of our needs. Their commitment to our Union is shown in the breadth of their experience and activism, within and beyond education, both in the UK and abroad. Suzi has taken on an increasingly diverse range of roles within UCU, including chairing the Women Members Standing Committee; Mark has occupied a range of elected positions and committee roles both locally (e.g. branch secretary, treasurer and equalities officer at Sheffield) and nationally (including Vice-Chair of HEC).

Both Suzi and Mark encourage diversity of opinion and a better understanding of all voices in Union activities, not just the loudest ones, through engaging with members directly as well as gathering data to reach out to all UCU members through multiple and diverse means, and understanding better the issues different groups face. Both have shown incredible empathy and practical support for encouraging participation in union activities and recognition of the work done by ARPS staff.

• Caroline Proctor, IT Manager, University of Warwick
• Dr Lisa Rüll, Specialist Study Support Tutor (Disabilities)
  University of Nottingham
• Michael Bartlett, Digital Analytics Manager, Open University
• Amy Ryall, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Manager, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

We are writing as UCU members in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland who sit on UCU UK’s NEC to express our strong support for Mark Pendleton for Vice President (Higher Education) and Suzi Toole for Vice President (Further Education).

Our sectors face unprecedented challenges. From devastating cuts and redundancies to the erosion of pay and working conditions, members across the UK urgently need leadership that can unite our diverse union whilst respecting the distinct needs of each nation and sector. Mark and Suzi represent exactly that kind of leadership.

In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, we know the importance of building strategies that reflect our specific contexts whilst maintaining solidarity across borders and sectors. Mark's commitment to strengthening branch autonomy, opening up democratic structures, and ensuring that all voices - including those from the nations - are heard in decision-making resonates deeply with our experiences. His pledge to rebuild trust through transparent communication and genuine consultation is exactly what our union needs.

Suzi's dedication to winning national bargaining in FE and her understanding of the particular pressures facing further education staff makes her the clear choice for the FE role. Together, Mark and Suzi offer experienced, principled leadership that will fight for fair pay, manageable workloads, and secure employment across all post-16 education sectors.

We are particularly encouraged by their shared commitment to:

• Rebuilding member trust and strengthening branch power
• Fighting for justice and inclusivity
• Addressing the crisis in prison education and adult education, sectors often overlooked in national strategies
• Supporting casualised and marginalised workers who face disproportionate impacts from cuts and poor working conditions
• Building sector-specific solutions whilst maintaining cross-sector solidarity

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have consistently demonstrated that effective trade unionism requires listening to members, respecting local autonomy, and building campaigns from the ground up. Mark and Suzi understand this, and their pledges reflect a genuine commitment to democratic, member-led organising.

At this critical juncture for post-16 education, we need leaders who can navigate difficult negotiations, work effectively with diverse stakeholders, and build the widespread member engagement necessary for winning campaigns. Mark and Suzi have the experience, vision, and values to do exactly that.

We urge all UCU members in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and across the UK to vote for Mark Pendleton for Vice President (Higher Education) and Suzi Toole for Vice President (Further Education).

• Chris O'Donnell, President, UCU Scotland
• Ann Gow, Honorary Secretary, UCU Scotland
• Estelle Hart, President, UCU Wales
• Martina Donald, Northern Ireland rep, (FE)

I’ve worked with Mark politically for over 20 years, in student and queer community organising in Australia and then in UCU. As well as being deeply committed to left, trade union politics, Mark has always been able to work across political differences, and to be willing to ask critical questions. He’ll be a fantastic Vice President at a really crucial time for our union.