LeedsUCU podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In today’s episode, recorded Wednesday 21 May 2025 branch president Jenny Rivas Perez and branch honorary secretary Vicky Blake give their initial thoughts on the University of Leeds management’s “white paper” on the direction of travel of the university for the next five years. With Alan Smith.

If you prefer your union branch news direct to your ears, search for LeedsUCU wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe so you get notified about new episodes. 

See all the episodes and transcripts at https://www.leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/podcast/

To join UCU go to ⁠https://www.ucu.org.uk/join

(What happened to episodes 7 and 8? They were affected by industrial action by UCU staff who are members of the Unite LE127 branch. Episode 7 was recorded and may eventually be released (as branch old news).

In today's episode, recorded Wednesday 14 May 2025: waiting for management plans about the university size and shape, and its trans policy; supporting members at risk of redundancy, call out for members to volunteer as caseworkers, new AGM date.

With Jenny Rivas Perez, Rachel Walls and Alan Smith.

If you prefer your union branch news direct to your ears, search for LeedsUCU wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe so you get notified about new episodes. 

See all the episodes and transcripts at https://www.leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/podcast/

To join UCU go to ⁠https://www.ucu.org.uk/join

In today's episode (recorded 19 June): pay and grading review, freedom of expression protocol, review of HR policies, department rep elections

With Aisha Walker, Rachel Walls and Alan Smith.

If you prefer your union branch news direct to your ears, search for LeedsUCU wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe so you get notified about new episodes. 

See all the episodes and transcripts at https://www.leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/podcast/

To join UCU go to ⁠https://www.ucu.org.uk/join

Episode links

https://www.leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/choosing-your-ucu-department-representatives/

In today's episode (recorded 5 June): pay and grading review, hybrid working, anti-casualisation improvements, department rep elections, general meetings and socials.

With Aisha Walker, Rachel Walls and Alan Smith.

If you prefer your union branch news direct to your ears, search for LeedsUCU wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe so you get notified about new episodes. 

See all the episodes and transcripts at https://www.leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/podcast/

To join UCU go to ⁠https://www.ucu.org.uk/join

Episode links

https://www.leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/choosing-your-ucu-department-representatives/

In today's episode (recorded 8 May, published late because: reasons): PGRs who teach, hybrid working as a flexible working request, 3-days-on-campus not-rule, pay and grading review, UCU higher education special sector conference, AGM, new starters meetings

With Aisha Walker, Rachel Walls and Alan Smith.

If you prefer your union branch news direct to your ears, search for LeedsUCU wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe so you get notified about new episodes. 

See all the episodes and transcripts at https://www.leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/podcast/

To join UCU go to ⁠https://www.ucu.org.uk/join

Episode links

Branch committee roles and standing for election

In today's episode (recorded 24 April, and not edited, transcribed and published until long after the intended release date because: reasons): working in shared spaces, the new university social media policy, overseas working policy discussions, dignity and mutual respect policy, changes in IT, biomedical research facility, career pathways programme, university’s financial support, Education Support, general meetings, getting involved, workers memorial day, Leeds TUC May Day rally, socials

With Aisha Walker and Rachel Walls (and Alan Smith).

If you prefer your union branch news direct to your ears, search for LeedsUCU wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe so you get notified about new episodes. 

See all the episodes and transcripts at https://www.leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/podcast/

To join UCU go to ⁠https://www.ucu.org.uk/join

Episode links

Branch committee roles and standing for election

https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/

In today's episode (recorded 10-11 April): posters celebrating our win on pensions, all about the committee elections at the AGM, the latest Home Office pressure on migrant workers. With Aisha Walker, Emily Haikney, Laura Loyola Hernandez, Rachel Walls and Alan Smith.

See all the episodes and transcripts at https://www.leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/podcast/ 

To join UCU go to ⁠https://www.ucu.org.uk/join

LeedsUCU website post, including link to legal guidance, UK government changes affecting migrant members

More about branch committee roles and standing for election

Original music by Fred Verity.

In today's episode (recorded 27 March): pay and grading review, ways of working, casework, management training, joining the union before problems arise, gender, ethnicity and disability pay gaps, flexible working, the next general meeting, amending motions on the UCU congress agenda, and the AGM in May, getting involved as a UCU department equality rep, department rep, branch committee member or caseworker.

(No Rachel today - we really should have mentioned that in the recording!)

For transcript see ⁠https://www.leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/podcast/

To join UCU go to ⁠https://www.ucu.org.uk/join

In today's episode (recorded 13 March): pay and grading review, ways of working, Home Office visa changes, gender, ethnicity and disability pay gaps, the next general meeting and the AGM in May.

For transcript see ⁠https://www.leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/podcast/⁠

To join UCU go to ⁠https://www.ucu.org.uk/join

Recorded 28 March. In today's episode: New ways of working, workload principles, pay and grading, PGR lead on committee, socials and branch general meetings. For transcript see https://www.leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/podcast/ To join UCU go to https://www.ucu.org.uk/join