Kathy Taylor, UCU National President and long standing UCU representative from the Northern Region, addresses Congress

Kathy Taylor, UCU President, at UCU Congress 31 May 2013

Kathy Taylor, who has worked at Northumberland College and (more recently) at Newcastle College, addressed UCU Congress this afternoon.

Kathy spoke of the importance of education and the increasing costs facing young people who wish to continue their studies after reaching the age of sixteen.  Details of Kathy's speech can be found here http://www.ucu.org.uk/6645

Kathy was elected as Vice-President in 2010 and at the end of this Congress, she will be passing the presidency on to her successor, Simon Renton.  For the last 12 months, Kathy has been national President.  Last year, she gave a speech to "Education International" on 'The Vandals at the Gate: Defending the profession in an age of austerity'.  Full details at: http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/m/d/Kathy_Taylor_EI_speech.pdf

Her presidency has seen what she has described as "The worst attacks since the 90s" http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6265016.  Kathy has always remained committed to supporting those in action, particularly in the northern region.

Delegates from the Northern Region involved at UCU Congress in Brighton

Julia Charlton, Northumbria University UCU, moves an amendment on behalf of the Women Members Standing Committee

UCU representatives from right across the northern region are in Brighton discussing the union's priorities and policies for the next period.  Full details of all the motions and the debate can be found at http://www.ucu.org.uk/congress2013

An article by General Secretary, Sally Hunt, prior to the debates can be found here http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/comment/opinion/sally-hunt-time-to-get-our-act-together/2004212.article

The TES/FE Focus report on the debate on FE Pay at Congress can be found here http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storyCode=6333238

The HE debate on pay and possible industrial action was covered by the "Times Higher Ed" here: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/ucu-moves-closer-to-industrial-action/2004266.article