Day: March 19, 2012

It is with great sadness that UCU has learnt of the death of former UEA branch president Natasha Curson.  Natasha was proud to be a trade unionist, and retained membership of the National Union of Journalists after an earlier writing career. She was an active and valued member of UCU, taking on committee roles as the Dept Rep for CSED role and then the Press & Publications Officer role. She became the UCU @UEA President in January 2007.

 

In Natasha’s time as president she was instrumental in forging greater engagement with the membership and encouraging members new to the UCU to take a more active role in the Union. She was passionate in her belief as to the positive role of the Unions in Higher Education in enhancing the working experience of those so employed. As branch president, she was actively  involved in difficult negotiations on behalf of members both  collectively and, as a caseworker, individually.

 

Lydia Richards, UCU Eastern Regional Official said

“Natasha was a serious asset to the union. She worked extremely hard to keep the union running  and ensure that members’ rights were protected in what was a difficult time for many union members. Natasha had strong principles and clear values that carried into every aspect of her trade union work although one of the things that I will most remember her for, was her ability to make me laugh when the going got tough. She will be sorely missed and the staff at UCU would like to send sincere condolences to her family and friends who must  be devastated by the news.”

 

Her fellow UCU members will miss a valued colleague and send their deepest sympathies to her family and friends.

 

Norma Henderson

President UCU@UEA