The UCU is the trade union and professional association for UK higher education professionals, including academics, researchers, academic-related support staff, and postgraduates employed to do teaching or related work.
We negotiate members' salaries and conditions of employment, and represent their views on professional matters affecting higher education. We also provide them with access to advice, information and personal representation if they experience problems at work. This includes matters of grievance, discipline, overwork, discrimination and redundancy. We are also constantly negotiating special services and discounts for members.
The UCU is particularly aware of the special problems facing research staff on fixed-term contracts (FTCs) and campaigns against the abuse of such contracts. We have been influential in drawing the attention of Government to the widespread use of FTCs in higher education, particularly among research staff, and we agreed National Guidance on Fixed-term and Casual Employment with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association in anticipation of the implementation of the Regulations on Fixed-Term Employees in 2002. Through its Local Associations, the UCU is negotiating improved conditions for research staff in individual institutions, with the aim of abolishing the insecurity which has blighted so many research careers.
To be effective, we need to maintain a strong body of members, especially among the research staff and part-time teachers, so please consider joining the UCU for the sake of your own career. There are reduced subscription rates for part-timers and those near the bottom of the salary scale.
You can join UCU online|. For further details on LSE UCU, please see London School of Economics University and College Union|.