GTA:University and College Union (UCU) and Graduate Teaching Assistants
TL;DR
As a GTA at the University of Manchester, you have employment rights that are protected both by law and through UCU's recognised role in collective bargaining. Membership is free, provides significant benefits, and ensures your voice is heard in improving working conditions for yourself and future GTAs. Whether you face immediate workplace issues or want to contribute to long-term improvements in GTA conditions, UCU offers support, representation, and collective strength.
What is UCU?
The University and College Union (UCU) is the largest trade union and professional association for academics, lecturers, trainers, researchers and academic-related staff working in further and higher education throughout the UK. With over 120,000 members, UCU represents postgraduate teaching assistants alongside other education professionals including academics, researchers, administrators, computer staff, and librarians.
At the University of Manchester, UCU is one of three unions recognised for collective bargaining purposes (alongside Unison and Unite), as stated in your employment contract. This means UCU has a formal role in negotiating terms and conditions on behalf of staff.
Why UCU Matters for GTAs
Dual Status Recognition
As a GTA, you occupy a unique position—you are both a postgraduate student and an employee. UCU recognises this dual status and campaigns to ensure that your employment rights are protected regardless of your student status. Your rights as a worker or employee are standalone rights and are not diminished because you are also a PGR student.
Key Employment Rights UCU Protects
UCU works to ensure GTAs have access to:
- Fair pay for all hours worked, including preparation, marking, student support, and administrative tasks
- Proper employment contracts with clear job descriptions and accurately contracted hours
- Access to pension schemes (such as USS at Manchester)
- Paid annual leave and sick leave
- Protection from zero-hours contracts and casualisation
- Equal treatment with other teaching staff under Fixed-Term and Part-Time Workers Regulations
- Continuity of service when working consecutive contracts
- Access to grievance and disciplinary procedures
- Health and safety protections, including workload management
UCU Membership for GTAs
Cost of Membership
Membership is FREE for GTAs, doctoral students, and recent doctoral graduates. This makes joining UCU particularly valuable for postgraduate teaching assistants.
Membership Benefits
- Legal Protection and Representation
- Access to UCU's legal service for employment disputes
- Support if you face pressure or bullying related to your employment
- Representation in disciplinary or grievance procedures
- Industrial Action Support
- Protection if you choose to participate in strikes or industrial action
- Access to the UCU Hardship Fund to recover lost income during strike action (members only)
- Legal protection against pressure not to strike
- Workplace Support
- Local branch officers who understand your working conditions
- Regional and national officials for complex issues
- Collective bargaining to improve terms and conditions
- Professional Development
- Access to UCU resources and guidance
- Connection with other GTAs across the country
- Training and development opportunities
UCU's Campaigns for GTAs
The Postgraduate Researchers as Staff Campaign
UCU has developed a comprehensive manifesto calling for universities to:
- Recognise PGRs who teach as staff members with proper employment status
- Provide employment contracts (not zero-hours) with clear job descriptions
- Pay for all hours worked, with transparent workload models
- Offer access to pension schemes, sick leave, and annual leave
- Provide career development and training opportunities
Recent UCU Victories for GTAs
UCU branches across the UK have secured significant improvements for GTAs:
- University of Sheffield (2024): New contracts guaranteeing minimum hours, continuity of service, payment for all duties including preparation and meetings, incremental pay rises, and distinct job descriptions
- King's College London: 20% pay increase for marking and double pay for preparation time
- University of Essex: Elimination of multipliers, payment for all hours worked, and improved contracts with clarity on pay, USS access, sick leave, and annual leave
Current Issues UCU Addresses
- Inadequate preparation time allocations that don't reflect actual work required
- Inconsistent pay rates across departments within the same university
- Unpaid overtime where GTAs work beyond contracted hours
- Lack of training and support from course convenors and line managers
- Precarious working conditions and casualisation of teaching roles
Your Rights as a GTA (Based on UCU Guidance)
- Written Terms and Conditions: You should receive a statement of terms when you start
- Equal Access to Facilities: Same access to computing, photocopying, and support as other staff
- Right to Join a Union: Legally protected right to UCU membership
- Health and Safety: Employer responsibility extends to workload and stress management
- Non-Discrimination: Protection from discrimination based on protected characteristics or union membership
- Pay Linked to Pay Scales: Your role should be evaluated and linked to institutional pay scales
- Holiday Entitlement: Clear entitlement to paid annual leave (or rolled-up holiday pay clearly shown on payslips)
- Equal Treatment: Part-time and fixed-term staff should not be treated less favourably than comparable staff
At the University of Manchester
Recognition in Your Contract
Your employment contract explicitly states (Clause 69): "The University recognises Unison, Unite and University Colleges Union (UCU) for collective bargaining purposes."
Additionally, Clause 70 confirms: "Any changes in the terms and conditions of employment applicable to staff appointed by the University... which may be agreed in writing after the date of this Contract between the University and any trade union recognised by the University... shall be incorporated automatically into your Contract of Employment."
This means UCU has a direct role in negotiating improvements to your terms and conditions.
Local Support
- UCU Manchester Branch: Contact your local branch for support with workplace issues
- Connect with other GTAs through UCU networks and meetings
- Participate in local campaigns to improve GTA conditions
Common Issues to Raise with UCU
Contact your UCU branch if you experience:
- Working significantly more hours than you are paid for
- Lack of paid preparation time or inadequate time allocations
- Pressure to take on additional responsibilities without additional pay
- Inconsistent pay rates compared to GTAs in other departments
- Being placed on zero-hours contracts or having work withdrawn without notice
- Discrimination or unfair treatment
- Concerns about workload affecting your PhD progress
- Health and safety issues, including stress and excessive workload
- Unclear contracts or missing employment terms
How to Join UCU
- Visit: www.ucu.org.uk/join
- Remember: Membership is FREE for GTAs, doctoral students, and recent graduates
- Connect: Once a member, introduce yourself to your local branch representatives
- Engage: Attend branch meetings and GTA-specific events
Getting Support from UCU
For Immediate Issues
- Contact your local UCU branch or regional office
- Issues are best dealt with at a local level by experienced UCU officers
- Legal remedies are a last resort; collective resolution is most effective
For Ongoing Concerns
- Participate in local campaigns and working groups
- Share your experiences to help UCU develop evidence-based campaigns
- Connect with other GTAs to organise collectively
Remember
The best way to tackle workplace issues is to join your union and resolve them collectively. UCU provides experienced support and, subject to scheme rules, an excellent legal service when needed.
Additional Resources
- UCU Main Website: www.ucu.org.uk
- Join UCU: www.ucu.org.uk/join
- Postgraduate Employment Resources: www.ucu.org.uk/postgrads
- Know Your Rights: Available from UCU website
- UCU Manchester: Contact through UCU website or local branch