The fate of the current leader of the UK’s biggest higher education union appeared to be hanging in the balance as members voted in an election that will determine the future of industrial relations in the sector for much of the rest of the decade.
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) have begun casting their ballots to elect a new general secretary ahead of the 1 March deadline, with the result due to be announced shortly afterwards.
Jo Grady, a University of Sheffield lecturer who has led the union for the past five years, is being challenged by three candidates – Saira Weiner, Vicky Blake and Ewan McGaughey – as she seeks a second term in office.
While enjoying strong name recognition and the power of incumbency, commentators said Dr Grady’s sometimes confrontational approach to the role – and a lack of progress in securing better pay and conditions – may reduce her vote compared with 2019, when she won with 15,000 first and second preference votes on a turnout of 20 per cent.
