Category Archives: Solidarity

Memorial for Nita Sanghera

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Nita would have been UCU President from May, but sadly died on 16th January.  She was a tireless and brilliant union activist, and supported us in Leeds many times (some photos at http://www.leedsucu.org.uk/nita-sanghera/).  Nita’s family and friends would like to invite you to a memorial march and rally this Sunday, 9th February, in Birmingham. We’ll be taking our branch banner, and the branch will pay members’ travel expenses to attend. Assemble at Victoria Square, Birmingham at 1 pm, followed by a memorial rally at 2.30 pm at Aston Legacy Centre, 144 Potters Lane Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU. Donations towards the cost of organising this event would be welcome – contact ucu@leeds.ac.uk for details. Please let ucu@leeds.ac.uk know if you’re thinking of attending so we can coordinate travel.

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Nita Sanghera

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We are saddened to learn of the death of Nita Sanghera, president-elect of UCU. Nita was a fierce and passionate campaigner for workers everywhere, always supporting union branches across the country, and a tireless campaigner against racism. Her support and encouragement for many black women activists will not be forgotten. Nita was about to become the first black woman President of UCU. The photos show Nita visiting the picket lines at University of Leeds to give us her support. Branch president Ben Plumpton says: “Nita was solidarity personified.” Rest in power.

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Branch Hardship Fund Benefit Gig

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Come to this brilliant gig and help raise money for our local Hardship Fund! Everyone welcome – UCU members, families and friends, members of other unions, and anyone who would like to support our strikes. Friday 29th November 29, from 7 PM The Chemic Tavern, 9 Johnston St, Leeds LS6 2NG (see attached map) Pay What You Can – donations to Leeds UCU Hardship Fund on the door.  Tell everyone you know, bring your friends, join us for a truly excellent party! With music from: Brigadistas Music Collective – A multi-instrumental, multilingual world folk extravaganza wormboys – Fuzzy noise pop: 50% queer, 50% casualised, 100% cute (and more being arranged) It will kick off with a Leeds UCU members’ open mic night – show off your new strike song lyrics, perform poetry, or whatever you like! All money raised will be used to boost the Leeds UCU strike hardship fund, prioritising members in precarious contractual circumstances and any member in difficult financial circumstanceshttp://www.leedsucu.org.uk/ucu-strike-fighting-fund-local-hardship-fund/

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Supporting Youth Strike for Climate on 20th September: 30-minute solidarity stoppage and march

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The three campus trade unions at this university wrote to the Vice Chancellor asking for staff to be given an additional 30 minutes paid leave to take part in activities supporting the Youth Strike for Climate on Friday 20th September. We are pleased that this has been agreed, and staff can add the 30 minutes on to their normal lunch break, so we can visibly support the local Leeds group. See details about the University’s support for this stoppage. This is an emergency! The Amazon is going up in smoke and could soon reach breaking point, with large parts of this incredible ecosystem collapsing before our eyes. Greenland is melting faster than ever before, and Central Africa is up in flames. Climate change isn’t a distant threat – it is here already. And yet our governments are supporting ever more fossil fuel extraction and doing far too little. That’s why, just before a crucial UN climate summit, children all over the world are taking to the streets, and calling on everyone to join them. With right wing climate change deniers presiding over so many powerful world states our participation on the streets to force change is more important than ever. … continue reading

Casework drop-in, Bradford College strikes, Environment Working group and more

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Text from all-members email sent 3 July 2019 Casework drop-in Weds 2 July, 12.30 – 2:30, 7.52 EC Stoner If there’s something you think you might need UCU support for, but aren’t sure, drop in for a chat with a caseworker. Our casework drop-ins are usually on the first Wednesday of each month. For serious matters where you will definitely need your own caseworker, don’t wait for a drop-in session, email ucu@leeds.ac.uk.  More about UCU support at  http://www.leedsucu.org.uk/support-and-benefits/  Supporting Bradford College UCU strikes Weds 3 – Fri 5 July Bradford College UCU are striking over job cuts and pay. The college intends to cut 131 jobs, and staff have had only one 1% pay rise in the last 11 years, which means their pay has declined by 25% in real terms. If you can support their picket line on your way to work that would be fantastic solidarity – look out for the Leeds UCU banner.  See  https://ucu.org.uk/article/10189/Three-day-walkout-at-Bradford-College-from-Wednesday?list=1676  Extraordinary General Meeting  Weds 10 July, 12 noon, Michael Sadler LG15 Concerned about any or all of: pensions, pay and equality, Head of School appointments, lecture capture, UniForum, discussion boards for in-course feedback, timetabling, or centralisation of admissions? Come and have your say at this … continue reading