LeedsUCU podcast

In today's episode, recorded Thursday 4 September 2025 (and published late): Changes to our branch committee, career pathways, the White paper, changes to university policies.

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 Thursday 26 June 2025: campaigns officer Anja Komatar on the role of the campaigns officer, and some of the campaigns the branch is involved in internationally and in the workplace.

Content note: includes discussion of Israel and Palestine.

With Rachel Walls and Anja Komatar.

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 Wednesday 11 June 2025: AGM, unions meeting with the vice chancellor about the review of the university’s plan, and changes to the university’s trans policy.

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 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 Wednesday 26 February 2025: committee by-elections, new casework officer, university strategic review, reviewing employment relations agreements and processes.

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 getnotified 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 Wednesday 12 February 2025: extraordinary general meeting on university finances and student numbers, short-notice IT system changes, annual leave policy changes, time for caseworkers, Salma al-Shehab released from prison, elections for vacant committee roles, annual meeting of academic -related professional staff.

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 29 January 2025: new casework officer role, vacancies for equality officer and ordinary committee member, future size and shape of the university – vice chancellor’s blog and UCU general meeting, Salma al-Shehab, annual meeting of academic -related professional staff.

With Jenny Rivas Perez and Rachel Walls.

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

Today's episode was recorded 6 December 2024

With Jenny Rivas Perez, Rachel Walls and Alan Smith

Transcript for this episode will be delayed because of strike action by UCU staff

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

Today's episode, recorded 6 November 2024, is an update on the UCU branch’s anti-causalisation work.

With Sandy James, 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