Certification Officer dismisses challenge to UCU general secretary election
Image of Sarah Fraser Butlin KC
Sarah Fraser Butlin KC has successfully represented the trade union Respondent in a challenge to the General Secretary election.
The Certification Officer has given judgment in a complaint concerning the election of Jo Grady in 2024 to the post of general secretary of the University and College Union.
Two unsuccessful candidates brought complaints alleging multiple and sustained breaches during the election campaign, including the use of union resources, overlap between campaign activity and official functions, and alleged pressure on staff.
The Certification Officer dismissed six of the complaints in their entirety and upheld one matter only on a limited, technical basis. In relation to that issue, the Certification Officer accepted that a breach had occurred but found it to be a “simple, human error” which conferred no material advantage.
Crucially, the Certification Officer concluded that none of the matters raised had any impact on the result of the election and declined to make any enforcement order, holding that a re-run would be inappropriate. The decision emphasises that the continuation of “business as usual” by an incumbent does not, without more, amount to a breach.
The judgment can be found here.
Press coverage of the decision can be found in the Times Higher Education and FE Week, alongside a UCU statement.
Sarah Fraser Butlin KC acted for the University and College Union, instructed by Abigail Oprey.
