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Please tell UCU if you’re on long-term leave for November to May

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For legal reasons UCU isn’t allowed to ballot members over strike action who wouldn’t normally be working during for the potential period of action (roughly November to May – let us know if you need an exact date). If you’ll be on maternity/paternity/parental leave or sick leave, or for some other reason won’t be working for the University of Leeds for that whole period please email ucu@leeds.ac.uk with the details. Research/study ‘leave’ isn’t normally leave for these purposes (it’s leave from certain duties, not leave from work), if you’re being paid by the university and doing that research as an employee of the University of Leeds. Email us if you’re not sure if this affects you. … continue reading

Are you leaving the University of Leeds before the end of October?

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If you know you’ll have left the University of Leeds before the end of the strike ballot, 30 October, please email ucu@leeds.ac.uk to let us know. It’s important, both legally and for union democracy, that you aren’t balloted here if you won’t be here. When you move to your new institution please update your UCU details using My UCU (top of the page at ucu.org.uk). If you update your employer details before 19 August you’ll be balloted in your new branch automatically. If you update your details 19 August or later you’ll miss the initial ballot distribution so as soon as possible after 17 September log in to My UCU and request a ‘replacement’ ballot pack. … continue reading

Thank you – and introducing our new Leeds UCU president!

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Email sent to all members from Vicky Blake, 1 August 2019 Vicky Blake Dear Members,  I am writing to say thank you for having me!  Thank you for electing me as president of Leeds UCU for the past two years, and thank you for your incredible commitment, energy, ideas, skills, and dedication to making this university a better place to work, and a site of real community. It has been challenging, inspiring, and exciting to undertake this role, and such an enormous privilege to represent Leeds members. I have really valued the constructive honesty in feedback members have offered throughout my time in the role, and am so proud of how much we have achieved together as a branch. We have so much more to fight for still.  Please keep an eye out for announcements about a general meeting connected to the 2 hugely important UK-wide ballots we are running over USS pensions, and over the JNCHES pay and equality claim in September and October. A confirmed date for your diaries is 2 October, 1-2pm, when our new General Secretary Jo Grady is coming to speak to members (see [here]) and to meet with our anti-casualisation working group.  UCU was a lifeline for me when I joined as a casualised postgraduate … continue reading

UCU’s new general secretary is coming to visit

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UCU general secretary Jo Grady UCU general secretary Jo Grady is coming to University of Leeds on Wednesday 2 October. An open meeting is scheduled for 1pm-2pm, Mechanical Engineering Lecture Theatre B, and she will also meet with our anti-casualisation working group*. Please register (so we can keep an eye on numbers) and put this in your diary as it is an exciting opportunity to engage with, influence and take inspiration from our new leader. If you would like to read more about Jo, this interview recently featured in The Guardian. *If you would like to join the anti-casualisation working group please email ucu@leeds.ac.uk Directions and accessibility Mechanical Engineering Lecture Theatre B (2.37), Mechanical Engineering Building, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 9JT. Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MzhoXGHKXPpkMzBj9 Directions to Mechanical Engineering Building Facing away from Parkinson steps, turn left, go straight up Woodhouse Lane past two pedestrian crossings. Mechanical Engineering is on your left. Mechanical Engineering Building Directions to Lecture Theatre B Go through the main door of the building, up the stairs to the second floor, turn either left or right through the double doors, Lecture Theatre B is at the top of the small flight of stairs. Accessibility … continue reading