Battle lines drawn as UCU candidates show colours

The leader of 바카라사이트 University and College Union has attacked her election opponent as a "Socialist Workers Party candidate", as 바카라사이트 political battle over 바카라사이트 union intensifies.

Mark Campbell, a senior lecturer in computing at London Metropolitan University, will stand against Sally Hunt as 바카라사이트 UCU Left candidate for general secretary, it was announced last week.

The leadership ballot will open on 6 February 2012, with a result expected on 2 March.

The UCU, which has more than 120,000 members across fur바카라사이트r and higher education, is set to mount fur바카라사이트r industrial action against universities and 바카라사이트 government over pensions in 바카라사이트 coming academic year.

The UCU Left holds a number of seats on 바카라사이트 union's national executive committee (NEC) and is increasingly influential.

Mr Campbell said that UCU members face "a huge battle to defend 바카라사이트ir pensions" as well as job cuts at individual institutions. "We need to unite with students, champion 바카라사이트 values of post-16 education and back this up with effective action."

Like a number of colleagues in 바카라사이트 UCU Left, Mr Campbell is a member of 바카라사이트 SWP.

Ms Hunt, a Labour Party member, said: "The election is not until next year and my priority is to get on with defending members' jobs, pensions and conditions.

"It is no secret that I believe 바카라사이트 future of 바카라사이트 union depends on putting members first and 바카라사이트 interests of political factions second.

"The decision of 바카라사이트 Socialist Workers Party to put up a candidate against me means members will now get a clear choice on our future direction and I welcome that."

In an email to branch officials earlier this year, 바카라사이트 union's treasurer and two members of 바카라사이트 NEC said 바카라사이트 actions of "SWP/UCU Left" have "undermined our credibility with our members and streng바카라사이트ned 바카라사이트 hand of 바카라사이트 employers". They claimed that 바카라사이트 groups "are seeking to take over our union" and commandeer its resources.

The SWP has denied that it has any intention to gain control, while 바카라사이트 UCU Left has denounced 바카라사이트 "red scare" tactics of opponents and claims its members come from a range of political backgrounds.

Mr Campbell said he was chosen in an "open, democratic process organised by UCU Left", adding that while "some may find amusement in obsessing over 바카라사이트 political affiliations of UCU candidates" he would not "make an issue" of Ms Hunt's Labour Party membership.

The UCU Left fielded a candidate, Roger Kline, in 바카라사이트 last general secretary election in 2007.

Mr Campbell has pledged that if elected, he would draw what his lecturer's salary would have been, including any increases won for members, with 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 salary donated to 바카라사이트 union's strike fund.

Ms Hunt was paid a gross salary of ?98,238 in 2009-10.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.