This branch notes:

• The HE sector faces a severe national crisis, with over 15,000 jobs lost in the past year.
• While the University of Leeds has not initiated redundancies, management has introduced an early retirement scheme without union consultation.
• Colleagues face growing uncertainty due to fluctuating student numbers and a turbulent international context.
• Persistent issues around workload, casualisation, and insecurity will be worsened by the proposed scheme.
• Following intense industrial action, branch meeting participation and local rep activity have declined.
• A national ballot on pay, conditions, and redundancies is underway, with other campus unions balloting simultaneously.

This branch resolves to:

• Reinvigorate committee and rep activity to boost participation and mutual support.
• Recruit new caseworkers to manage the early retirement scheme and potential restructuring.
• Encourage reps to hold local meetings to gather concerns and shape a renewed branch strategy.
• Urgently request a meeting with the VC for meaningful negotiation on the scheme and future workforce plans.
• Work closely with the other two campus unions to coordinate “get the vote out.”
• Protect and strengthen democracy and equal voice within branch structures.

This resolution was carried by members of the branch at the ordinary general meeting 13 November 2025. The text here is subject to approval of the minutes of that meeting. The motion was proposed by Gabriella Alberti and seconded by Jane Holgate.