UNIVERSITY and College Union (UCU) general secretary Sally Hunt has stood down due to ill health.

In a message to UCU members yesterday, Ms Hunt paid tribute to the union she had led for 12 years, which she called a “vibrant, energetic and stimulating” organisation.

She thanked members and trade union activists for supporting her, saying that she was “grateful for the trust given to me as their general secretary and wish every UCU member and staff member well.

“It has been a real honour.”

Ms Hunt was the union’s general secretary since it was formed in 2007 and had been elected to the post three times with significant majorities.

She had been regional organiser for the Association of University Teachers (AUT), eventually leading it, before it merged with the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education in 2006, becoming UCU.

Ms Hunt was heavily involved in last year’s strikes and protests against changes to education workers’ pension schemes.

She had also served as Trades Union Congress (TUC) president last year during that organisation’s 150th anniversary year.

UCU president Vicky Knight said: “The union owes a huge debt of gratitude to Sally.

“She was central to the creation of UCU and has led its growth and success with utter dedication to the interests of the members that we represent, and with an integrity that I know is widely acknowledged and admired throughout the movement and beyond.”

The UCU national executive committee will meet this Friday to arrange the process for a new general secretary’s election.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Sally continues to be a great champion of education and lifelong learning, open to all.

“A strong woman in a tough job, Sally has been a source of inspiration and support to me and many others right across the trade union movement.”