UCU staff lash out at workplace racism and ‘culture of fear’

Staff members at the UK’s main higher education union have complained of a “culture of fear” in the workplace, amid claims that black staff members are victimised and discriminated against.

The Unite union – which represents the University and College Union’s (UCU) own staff – said disputes over pay, health and safety, trade union recognition and equality issues had reached “crisis point”.

UCU employees who spoke to Times Higher Education on condition of anonymity raised concerns about the lack of racial diversity in the union’s leadership, and claimed that black staff members were viewed as “awkward and difficult” when they spoke out.

One worker said racism, particularly discrimination against and victimisation of black staff, was an “open secret” at the trade union, with black women in particular feeling isolated and unwelcome.

Staff have been frustrated that UCU bosses have taken more than a year to act on equality concerns that were raised through a 2022 survey.

“The longer I’ve been there, the more I’ve seen that every time a black member of staff stands up and [complains], they don’t last long in the organisation,” another employee said.

“They’ve got legitimate concerns…but there doesn’t seem to be a drive to address that.”

A UCU spokesperson acknowledged that the survey had highlighted that the union had work to do to ensure that black staff feel included and supported in their roles.

“We are keen to work with Unite to continue our work to tackle workplace inequalities and ensure that UCU is a welcoming and inclusive environment for all staff,” they added.

Meanwhile, a dispute over pay is ongoing, with Unite claiming that senior leaders are prioritising their own pay packets over more junior workers’ salaries. One member of staff said this raised questions about whether UCU – locked in a long-running pay dispute with vice-chancellors – was living up to its principles.

The UCU spokesperson said the union hoped to conclude the 2023-24 pay award as soon as possible, but Unite said it was no longer confident that the employer was committed to reaching a compromise, and it is making plans to escalate the dispute.

“There’s a culture of fear and unease in the workplace at the moment because the employer seems intent on not listening to staff about some of their concerns,” said one employee.

“It’s gone on for so long and the issues are so far encompassing, it’s got an air of dysfunctionality about it.”

As for Jo Grady, the general secretary fighting for re-election, UCU staff said “the buck stops with her”.

“Jo does bear a lot of the responsibility, but she’s also appointed some people in senior management who, in my view, are doing a terrible job and don’t know how to run things properly,” said one.

“There’s a real stench of hypocrisy that we’re all expected to go out into colleges and universities and argue for health and safety and equality and fair pay,” said another.

“That that’s not being played out in our own workplace is really harsh.”

A spokesperson for the Unite branch said UCU had disregarded the trade union values of equality and solidarity in the treatment of its own staff.

“Trade union employers should be a beacon for progressive workplace practices, and equality should be at the heart of everything we do,” they said.

“It is shameful, therefore, that our members feel so let down by our employer. Our members are angry, stressed and fearful.”

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com