UCU Northern Region Podcast

By UCU Northern Region

This podcast is produced by the Northern Regional Office of UCU - the University and College Union... more

· Education

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about UCU Northern Region Podcast:

How many episodes does UCU Northern Region Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 38 episodes available.

UCU Northern Region Podcast episodes:

June 17, 2025 An interview with Dave Pike, TUC Regional Secretary, Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber
Our podcast returns from an extended break, with an interview with the newly appointed TUC Regional Secretary for the Northeast, Yorkshire and Humber - Dave Pike. Jon Bryan (UCU Regional Support Official) asking the questions.

Dave Pike appointed
https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/dave-pike-appointed-new-regional-secretary-northeast-yorkshire-and-humber-tuc

Regional TUC comment on Higher Education in the NE:
https://www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/stakes-are-high-if-university-funding-crisis-continues
TUC Reps Courses
https://www.tuc.org.uk/training/TUCcourses

Anti-Right and Populism Briefings:
MIDDLESBROUGH 24/06/25
https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/tuc-education-anti-right-and-populism-regional-briefing-middlesbrough
SUNDERLAND 27/06/25
https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/tuc-education-anti-right-and-populism-regional-briefing-sunderland

...more
20min
December 19, 2022 Industrial Action in December 2022 - voices from the picket lines
In the last episode of our podcast for 2022, Jon Bryan (UCU Regional Support Official, Northern Region) visits a number of picket lines involving different trade unions, who are all in dispute with their employer.
More details on the disputes that are mentioned in this episode can be found here:
UNITE at Shelter: www.unitetheunion.org/news-events/news/2022/december/shelter-strike-suspended-following-improved-offer
RCN in Newcastle: www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/events/151222-the-newcastle-upon-tyne-hospitals-nhs-foundation-trust
GMB, Baker Hughes, Newcastle upon Tyne: www.gmbneyh.org.uk/more_than_200_newcastle_energy_workers_over_miserly_pay_offer
RMT Strikes: www.rmt.org.uk/news/picket-line-details-december-13
Darlington College UCU: www.ucu.org.uk/article/12629/Staff-to-strike-at-Darlington-College
Furness College UCU: www.ucu.org.uk/article/12635/Furness-College-staff-to-strike-over-low-pay
...more
28min
November 06, 2022 Pay and Industrial Action in Further Education: Strikes and Pickets at Newcastle College; Balloting for Action at Darlington College
In this episode, we have put together some clips to inform listeners about the disputes in our region on pay in Further Education at Newcastle College and Darlington College.
This episode contains an extract from a speech by Neil Stockton, Branch Chair at Darlington College. It also has extracts from an interview given by the Branch Secretary at Newcastle College, Emma Campbell. Finally, there is an interview on a lively picket line at Newcastle College where one of those on strike tell BBC Radio Newcastle what the issues are. Be warned, this last interview is from a noisy picket line which the Branch had dubbed "Wild Wednesday".
People's Assembly, Darlington
Coverage: https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/23103801.we-members-cant-heat-homes-darlington-protestors-demand-general-election/
Full Speeches: https://www.facebook.com/thenorthernecho/videos/830444605077178
Darlington College UCU Press Release on Ballot for Industrial Action on Pay: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/12597
YouTube Story about Newcastle College Strike Action: https://youtu.be/xVy4Oae6qhs
...more
17min
October 14, 2022 Pay and Industrial Action in Further Education
In this episode, we cover current industrial action in further education, as well as a look back at previous disputes and what we can learn from them. UCU Regional Support Official, Jon Bryan, speaks to UCU representatives at Carlisle College (Matthew Cookson) and Emma Campbell from Newcastle College. They tells us about their current action, and we also hear from people on the picket line. This episode also includes an introduction that Jon Bryan recently gave to a meeting of the Socialist Education Association (North) on current and previous industrial action across the FE sector.
...more
29min
July 02, 2022 Branch President of Durham University UCU, Sol Gamsu, talks about the last 12 months and the future.
In this in-depth interview, Sol Gamsu talks to Jon Bryan about the last 12 months of organising and action by UCU members and reps at Durham University. Sol explains how they have built on the good work of others, and outlines some of the ways that they have managed to keep members engaged through the prolonged industrial disputes that Higher Education has seen.
...more
40min
April 14, 2022 Low Pay in the FE Sector and the dispute and Industrial Action Ballot at Furness College
In this episode, Jon Bryan speaks to Neil Stockton, the UCU Chair of the Northern Region for FE, about the scale and impact of low pay in Further Education. We then speak to the UCU Branch Secretary at Furness College about pay and what they are doing to challenge the below-inflation pay awards that they have been getting. Amanda Rotherham tells us about their ballot result and what’s next for the Branch.
...more
16min
March 03, 2022 A local dispute about job roles and contracts at Northumbria University - March 2022.
In this episode, recorded on the picket lines (02/03/22), Jon Bryan talks to Joe Street about the national Four Fights campaign by UCU. Adam Hansen then explains why the Branch are balloting for action on local issues of concern.
...more
9min
December 15, 2021 Industrial Action: Strike, Ballots, Action short of a strike
In this episode, we speak to trade union reps about industrial action. Speaking to us are Matt Perry from Newcastle University UCU on the Trade Union Act and why they are re-balloting; Laura Campbell from Durham University UCU about their ballot results and strike action; Andy Feeney from Northumbria University UCU talks about the issue of workload - a key part of their industrial action campaign; John Hall from the NASUWT talks about a long running strike at Furrowfield School in Gateshead; and the National Education Union's Brian Metcalf tells us about the attacks on pensions in the independent sector.
...more
38min
October 21, 2021 October Round Up of News and Views
In this episode, there is a regional and national round up of news including: Menopause Awareness Month; the disputes in Higher Education; Tyne Coast College UCU Branch submit a Pay Plus Claim; FE Week produce a new podcast looking at further education and skills; UNISON research on the impact of online learning; Hackers hit the University of Sunderland.
...more
16min
October 06, 2021 A conversation with a UCU representative about how you can help a member who has transitioned.
In this episode, Jon Bryan talks to one of our union reps who has been assisting a member who has transitioned. The conversation looks at what needs to be done, and how you can help someone navigate the processes of change with your employer.
...more
17min

FAQs about UCU Northern Region Podcast:

How many episodes does UCU Northern Region Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 38 episodes available.