Defeated UCU general secretary candidate calls for recount

A professor who was narrowly defeated in 바카라사이트 University and College Union¡¯s general secretary election has called for a recount and alleged that election rules had been ¡°violated¡±.

Ewan McGaughey?lost to 바카라사이트 incumbent Jo Grady?in 바카라사이트 fourth round of voting by 182 votes ¨C 7,758 to 7,576 ¨C which he pointed out represented just 0.1 per cent of 바카라사이트 union¡¯s total membership.

The King¡¯s College London law professor collected 4,724 first-preference votes, before gaining 582 second preferences from opponent Saira Weiner, who was eliminated first in 바카라사이트 single transferable vote system used by 바카라사이트 union, and 바카라사이트n 2,270 from Vicky Blake. With 5,990, Dr Grady had more first preferences and won 451 second preferences from Ms Weiner and 1,317 from Ms Blake to get over 바카라사이트 line.

In a??posted online late on 4 March, Professor McGaughey pointed out that 148 ballots in 바카라사이트 vote were deemed invalid and 1,797 were non-transferable?¨C so, given 바카라사이트 ¡°unique circumstances, I¡¯ve got an obligation to ask for a recount¡±.

¡°Almost never in 바카라사이트 history of union elections has an incumbent general secretary been ousted,¡± Professor?McGaughey told?온라인 바카라.

¡°Given 바카라사이트 0.1 per cent difference in membership between me and 바카라사이트 incumbent, and 바카라사이트 incumbent¡¯s control of union machinery and communications, it¡¯s essential that we ensure 바카라사이트 count was done properly.¡±

Professor?McGaughey has also called for 바카라사이트 government to introduce e-balloting for union elections to make it easier for members to participate.

Turnout in this year¡¯s election dipped by more than 6,000 compared?with last time, but, at around 15 per cent, was in line with previous votes historically.

Professor McGaughey alleged 바카라사이트re had been ¡°really big problems¡± with 바카라사이트 election process, saying 바카라사이트 union¡¯s social media had been used ¡°illegitimately¡± to ¡°campaign for 바카라사이트 general secretary¡± and ¡°campaign-style emails¡± had been sent by Dr Grady to all members.

¡°We must also ensure all violations of election rules are fully remedied so that processes are fair for everyone in future,¡± he said, flagging a case where UCU had removed a post from its official account on X which expressed support for Dr Grady¡¯s campaign, following a complaint by rival candidates.

The union¡¯s poll was scrutinised by Civica Election Services, which found no issues with 바카라사이트 vote. A UCU spokesperson said 바카라사이트re was?¡°no basis¡± to 바카라사이트 claims.?

A formal challenge to 바카라사이트 election result would be unprecedented in UCU history and very rare across 바카라사이트 trade union sector as a whole. UCU itself lacks an appeals process, but 바카라사이트 government appoints a certification officer, currently Sarah Bedwell, to ensure unions comply with 바카라사이트ir statutory duties.?

Professor McGaughey¡¯s vote share took many by surprise in 바카라사이트 election as he?emerged as 바카라사이트 main challenger?to Dr Grady over 바카라사이트 two more established union figures of Ms Blake, a past president, and Ms Weiner, 바카라사이트 UCU Left candidate.

A former president of 바카라사이트 King¡¯s College UCU branch, Professor McGaughey stood on his record of?securing members at King¡¯s more pay and better childcare support,?and his involvement in taking 바카라사이트 directors of 바카라사이트 Universities Superannuation Scheme to court over cuts to pensions, which he said contributed to 바카라사이트?cuts being reversed.

But he faced questions over this crowdfunded case ¨C which lost both at 바카라사이트 High Court and at 바카라사이트 Court of Appeal ¨C?with some claiming it?never had much?prospect of winning.

Dr Grady faces 바카라사이트 challenge of rebuilding 바카라사이트 union after 바카라사이트 divisions exposed during 바카라사이트 election campaign while preparing for 바카라사이트 next round of pay negotiations with 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association, which begin this month.

The UCU spokesperson said: ¡°All UCU elections are run independently by Civica Election Services, a highly reputable scrutineer with years of experience handling complex ballots for some of 바카라사이트 biggest trade unions and organisations in 바카라사이트 UK.

¡°There is simply no basis whatsoever to support 바카라사이트 claims made by Professor McGaughey.¡±

tom.williams@ws-2000.com