Former Gen Sec of the Trades Union Congress and Labour peer Frances O’Grady will deliver the 2026 Alice Bacon Lecture at Leeds Uni Great Hall on Thursday 12th March, 18:30-19:30. This is a public lecture and free to attend, but please register to secure a place. For more visit tinyurl.com/muukaceb

Uni of Leeds and fellow Leeds UNISON branches are hiring a coach for members to join the @togetheralliance.bsky.social March Against the Far Right on 28 March. Leaving Parkinson steps at 7:30, leaving London at 16:30. Email the branch to book a FREE place for yourself + a guest. In solidarity ✊

Sending support and solidarity to fellow UNISON members striking today at Manchester Met @unisonmmu.bsky.social and Bristol Universities in protest against another insulting pay offer of 1.4% (less than half of current inflation rate). HE financial crisis is not the workers’ fault!

It’s #HeartUnions week! ❤️ TOMORROW Tuesday 10th February from 12-2pm, join the Leeds, Wakefield and York Unite Community outside the Parkinson steps for their Love Unions, Hate Racism stall. In solidarity! @unitetheunion.bsky.social @uniteneyh.bsky.social

UNISON’s 2026 Higher Education conference took place last week in Brighton. New GS @andreaegangs.bsky.social highlighted growing inequality within the sector and our own branch secretary Angela Blackburn spoke on behalf of the HE Service Group Executive. Full article here: tinyurl.com/bdh6xy6v

Members, the branch AGM is coming up on Tues 17th Feb, 12:30-2pm. Join on Teams, or in person at the Great Woodhouse Room in University House (lunch provided). You are entitled to time off work to attend, but inform your line manger as soon as possible to facilitate cover. See you there!

The 2025/26 Higher Education strike ballot has closed. Our branch is disappointed to announce that we missed the mandate threshold with only 49.96% turnout. The law requires 50% of branch members to participate in the ballot to secure a mandate, and this time we have fallen short by 1 vote.

The Christmas social is back this year! Come along to the Old Bar from 12-2pm on Thursday 18th December for a free buffet and drink plus a chat with your fellow branch members. See you there! 🎄

The UNISON Higher Education pay ballot closes this FRIDAY 28TH! 🚨 Ballots must be received by Friday, so post today or tomorrow to ensure your vote is counted and your voice is heard. The union recommends a YES vote to show the employer we reject another year of real-terms pay cuts.

On the hunt for a new job? This training course might be of use! 👉 yorks.unison.org.uk/events/job-search-and-the-hidden-job-market-2/ 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝟐 𝐃𝐞𝐜, 𝟏𝟐𝐩𝐦 - 𝟏𝐩𝐦, 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐒 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬

In solidarity with our trans members and all trans people in our communities ✊ #TransRightsAreHumanRights #TransDayOfRemembrance #TDoR2025

Have you voted in the UNISON general secretary election? 🗳️ It’s your chance to choose who represents you and your union in the media, with politicians, and in key negotiations. No ballot paper? ☎️ Call 0800 0 857 857 Votes must be received by post by 5pm on 25 November.

The voting period in UNISON’s General Secretary elections is open until 25th November. It’s the top job in the union, so it’s vital that you have your say when the ballot paper arrives in the post. Our branch is backing Andrea Egan for General Secretary.

Joint ballot posting between UCU, Unite and UNISON members on Wednesday 19th November! The Higher Education pay ballot is closing in two weeks. Meet at the postbox on Woodhouse Lane at 4pm Wednesday and post your ballot together, then join for an informal gathering at the Fenton. 🤝✊📮

Introducing the Trades Union Congress’s Year of TU Climate Action 📣 This will be a year of trade unions organising for a better, safer, empowering future for workers. Leeds TUC are kicking us off on Sat 15th Nov, with a rally and march. Join from midday by Merrion Gardens. All are welcome! (1/2)

Solidarity with fellow UNISON members striking at the National Coal Mining Museum! Sign their petition to support the cause unsn.uk/NCMMpetition

As the 25/26 HE pay ballot opens, it’s more important than ever that your membership details are up to date. UNISON member data is provided by you, not the employer! You can check your My UNISON account at unsn.uk/3T8WMfJ to make sure your name, email and postal address, and workplace are correct.

Voting is now open for the UNISON general secretary 🗳️ 🏠 Check your post for your ballot paper 📮 Vote and return it using the Freepost envelope ➤ Spread the word, let your friends and colleagues know Make your voice heard in your union 👉 t.co/4lA8mFuNH1

UNISON stands with Jamaica 🇯🇲 After the island’s worst hurricane, many are homeless and vital services are damaged. “Our thoughts are with all affected and those worried for loved ones.” Show your support ➡️ unsn.uk/supportjamaica

Voting in the higher education ballot is the only way we can do anything about the latest pay offer. Every vote counts, so don’t miss your chance to have your say. VOTE YES for strike action 💜 @UNISONinHE www.unison.org.uk/hepay2526/

🚨 We are balloting members in higher education over this years pay offer. Voting YES for strike action sends a strong message to your employers that you deserve more for your hard work. More info: www.unison.org.uk/hepay2526/ @UNISONinHE

🎄🎁 The branch will be running our FREE York Christmas market coach trip again this year! 🎁🎄 📆Saturday 6 December ⏰Leaving from Parkinson steps 9:30am, departing York 4:30pm 👯Places are limited but you’re welcome to bring a guest ✍️ Book your space by emailing the branch before Monday 24th November

Happy #Diwali2025 🪔 ✨Wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali!

UNISON’s 2025/26 higher education pay strike ballot opens today! You should receive your ballot paper this week to your home address. Check out the campaign page to access materials and the latest info: www.unison.org.uk/hepay2526/ @UNISONinHE

Universities would not function without support staff. A 1.4% pay offer is an insult to their hard work and dedication. All staff deserve better than a real-terms pay cut. The UNISON pay ballot for industrial action opens TODAY. VOTE YES for industrial action. #fundourfuture #fundourpay

Tomorrow! Members, if you’ve got your beanie hats and other picket line Unison items please do wear them and join the Trade Union bloc ✊

🎄🎁 The branch will be running our FREE York Christmas market coach trip again this year! 🎁🎄 📆Saturday 6 December ⏰Leaving from Parkinson steps 9:30am, departing York 4:30pm 👯Places are limited but you’re welcome to bring a guest ✍️ Book your space by emailing the branch before Monday 24th November

Our next members meeting is Wednesday 8 October, 12:30-1:30pm on Teams. The joining link is in today’s email, but contact us if you need it forwarding. In solidarity!

🎄🎟️🎅🏼The branch CHRISTMAS RAFFLE has now opened! 🎁 We’ve got a bumper crop of prizes this year including a Kindle Fire, Nintendo Switch, Bluetooth shower speaker, an air fryer as well as vouchers for the cinema, Love2Shop, independent bookshops, spa days and more!

📣 Announcing an online session on Work-Life Balance and Expectations! 📣 This FREE online session has been created specifically for branch members and will be held on Teams on Tuesday 21st October, 12:30-1:30. Email the branch for the Teams link. Hope to see you there! 👋

Tomorrow! Hope to see you there 👋

Our Disabled Members’ Officer Graeme has been hard at work organising a first meeting of the new disabled members’ Self Organised Group (SOG). Come along on Friday 26th September from 1-2! Teams meeting link and in-person location information are in your member emails.

Mark your calendars‼️ On Saturday 11th October at 12:30, Leeds Stand Up To Racism are organising a Refugees Welcome demonstration outside Leeds Art Gallery. Say No to the far right and No to reform. Refugees are welcome here! ✊

Save the date 📆 UNISON’s Seasonal Food Fund opens on Tuesday 30th September. More details in the link below 👇

Solidarity with striking members at the @ncmme.bsky.social. Pay staff what they’re worth! ✊

Solidarity with workers on strike at the National Coal Mining Museum ✊ Employers have the power to bring this strike to a halt. UNISON is ready and waiting to have meaningful discussions at any time. Please send your message of support 👉 @unisonyh.bsky.social

UNISON condemns 'deliberate killing' of Al-Jazeera journalists www.unison.org.uk/news/article...

Members, a reminder of our online members’ meeting Tuesday 5 August, 12:30-1:30pm on Teams. The joining link is in your members email from today; please contact the branch at [email protected] if you haven’t received it. In solidarity!

Ey up, happy Yorkshire Day! We're using today to say a huge thank you to all the public service workers right here in God's own who help to make it the best place to be in the world, tha' knows!

Tomorrow at the Britannia Leeds Hotel! ✊

The minimum wage, equal pay, holiday leave and the weekend - all seemed impossible, until unions made it happen. But is a four-day week now the future of work? magazine.unison.org.uk/2025/04/14/s...

Unions force university to abandon outsourcing plans morningstaronline.co.uk/article/unio...

The process for nomination someone to attend UNISON's Young Members Conference in Brighton in November is open! Just complete the form before 5pm on Thursday 28 August. 👉 unsn.uk/NYMC25-nom-form

Did you see UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea on BBC Newsnight last night?

Solidarity from @unison.org.uk with peaceful protestors ✊ www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Do you work in Higher Education? Are you struggling after years of low pay, below inflation offers and the cost of living crisis? Your pay should be a priority - have your say on this years pay offer in our consultation. Check your emails and click the link to take part www.unison.org.uk/hepay2526

Remember to vote REJECT in the HE consultation on the 2025/26 pay offer. A real-terms pay cut is simply not good enough. 1.4% does not reflect the essential role played by support staff in higher education, and they deserve better. #fundourfuture #fundourpay #saveuniversities

Online consultation ballot on HE pay is still open! Check your emails for your unique link to vote 🗳️

Solidarity with comrades at Manchester Met on strike this week! ✊

A reminder: you should never need to pay for UNISON membership queries.