Lykara Ryder
@lykarar.bsky.social
Union activist. Conlang enthusiast. Higher education exponent and worker bee. Liberation advocate and campaigner. Disabled immigrant.
Pinned
Lykara Ryder
@lykarar.bsky.social
· Nov 12
I’ve put some thought into how to introduce myself on a new platform. I’ll go with three categories.
1. Activism - I’ll talk about / repost things relating to:
•trade union campaigns
•social + racial + economic justice
•disability pride
•climate emergency
•political exasperation
1. Activism - I’ll talk about / repost things relating to:
•trade union campaigns
•social + racial + economic justice
•disability pride
•climate emergency
•political exasperation
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
Its Time to Win! ✊🏻
📨 UNISON members in their thousands are voting for me. But to guarantee change, we need you to return your ballot. Every vote counts!
📨 UNISON members in their thousands are voting for me. But to guarantee change, we need you to return your ballot. Every vote counts!
November 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Its Time to Win! ✊🏻
📨 UNISON members in their thousands are voting for me. But to guarantee change, we need you to return your ballot. Every vote counts!
📨 UNISON members in their thousands are voting for me. But to guarantee change, we need you to return your ballot. Every vote counts!
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
I recently spoke at the picket line of striking transport workers in Manchester. Those workers are backing my campaign to be next UNISON General Secretary! Thank you and solidarity! ✊🏻
November 9, 2025 at 1:22 PM
I recently spoke at the picket line of striking transport workers in Manchester. Those workers are backing my campaign to be next UNISON General Secretary! Thank you and solidarity! ✊🏻
I’ve had my COVID booster! You can tell my American self has been in the UK for a while, because I was flabbergasted and offended to be charged for a vaccine.
November 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I’ve had my COVID booster! You can tell my American self has been in the UK for a while, because I was flabbergasted and offended to be charged for a vaccine.
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
I can't help but think that capybaras would be immensely chill overlords
Which mammal would make the best benevolent ruler of Earth?
November 7, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I can't help but think that capybaras would be immensely chill overlords
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
Employer contributions to Defined Benefit pension schemes are often included as part of an employee's "total reward package" but these contributions don't actually affect the amount of pension accrued by an employee. Accrual is based on income, not contributions, as set out in scheme regulations.
November 7, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Employer contributions to Defined Benefit pension schemes are often included as part of an employee's "total reward package" but these contributions don't actually affect the amount of pension accrued by an employee. Accrual is based on income, not contributions, as set out in scheme regulations.
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
The conflation of everything under the meaningless and demeaning banner of "reward" is both deceitful and wrong.
No worker should not have to choose between decent pay now or decent pensions later.
No worker should not have to choose between decent pay now or decent pensions later.
November 7, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The conflation of everything under the meaningless and demeaning banner of "reward" is both deceitful and wrong.
No worker should not have to choose between decent pay now or decent pensions later.
No worker should not have to choose between decent pay now or decent pensions later.
100% agree with every point Kath makes here. I’ve already posted my YES vote for industrial action in the Higher Education pay ballot, and I can’t wait to also vote for Andrea Egan for UNISON General Secretary when that ballot hits my doorstep. 🗳️✊📢
Kath Owen, who represents Higher Education members on UNISON's NEC, is backing my campaign for UNISON General Secretary. Thank you Kath! ✊🏻
November 7, 2025 at 10:33 AM
100% agree with every point Kath makes here. I’ve already posted my YES vote for industrial action in the Higher Education pay ballot, and I can’t wait to also vote for Andrea Egan for UNISON General Secretary when that ballot hits my doorstep. 🗳️✊📢
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
Kath Owen, who represents Higher Education members on UNISON's NEC, is backing my campaign for UNISON General Secretary. Thank you Kath! ✊🏻
November 7, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Kath Owen, who represents Higher Education members on UNISON's NEC, is backing my campaign for UNISON General Secretary. Thank you Kath! ✊🏻
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
Glen Williams, Chair of Local Govt SGE, explains why he is backing my campaign to be UNISONs next General Secretary ✊🏻
November 3, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Glen Williams, Chair of Local Govt SGE, explains why he is backing my campaign to be UNISONs next General Secretary ✊🏻
Posting my YES vote for strike action as part of UNISON in Higher Education’s national pay campaign - this year’s dismal 1.4% pay ‘rise’ is the latest in a long line of real terms pay cuts.
We deserve so much better.
Fund our future!
Fund our pay!
@unisonmmu.bsky.social @unisoninhe.bsky.social
We deserve so much better.
Fund our future!
Fund our pay!
@unisonmmu.bsky.social @unisoninhe.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Posting my YES vote for strike action as part of UNISON in Higher Education’s national pay campaign - this year’s dismal 1.4% pay ‘rise’ is the latest in a long line of real terms pay cuts.
We deserve so much better.
Fund our future!
Fund our pay!
@unisonmmu.bsky.social @unisoninhe.bsky.social
We deserve so much better.
Fund our future!
Fund our pay!
@unisonmmu.bsky.social @unisoninhe.bsky.social
Me (extremely online) - shows Dragon a funny TikTok
Dragon (extremely not-online) - carefully studies the TikTok, watching it several times: ‘By the looks of it, this is the same lady talking to herself.’
Me: 😶
Dragon (extremely not-online) - carefully studies the TikTok, watching it several times: ‘By the looks of it, this is the same lady talking to herself.’
Me: 😶
October 29, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Me (extremely online) - shows Dragon a funny TikTok
Dragon (extremely not-online) - carefully studies the TikTok, watching it several times: ‘By the looks of it, this is the same lady talking to herself.’
Me: 😶
Dragon (extremely not-online) - carefully studies the TikTok, watching it several times: ‘By the looks of it, this is the same lady talking to herself.’
Me: 😶
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
I’ve got a good feeling about this
Join the resistance! The rebel alliance needs you - get your ballots posted in the HE pay ballot ✊
@unison.org.uk
@ucu.org.uk
@unitetheunion.bsky.social
@eisunion.bsky.social
(Insert your Star Wars themed ballot puns below ↘️)
@unison.org.uk
@ucu.org.uk
@unitetheunion.bsky.social
@eisunion.bsky.social
(Insert your Star Wars themed ballot puns below ↘️)
October 28, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I’ve got a good feeling about this
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
Join the resistance! The rebel alliance needs you - get your ballots posted in the HE pay ballot ✊
@unison.org.uk
@ucu.org.uk
@unitetheunion.bsky.social
@eisunion.bsky.social
(Insert your Star Wars themed ballot puns below ↘️)
@unison.org.uk
@ucu.org.uk
@unitetheunion.bsky.social
@eisunion.bsky.social
(Insert your Star Wars themed ballot puns below ↘️)
October 28, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Join the resistance! The rebel alliance needs you - get your ballots posted in the HE pay ballot ✊
@unison.org.uk
@ucu.org.uk
@unitetheunion.bsky.social
@eisunion.bsky.social
(Insert your Star Wars themed ballot puns below ↘️)
@unison.org.uk
@ucu.org.uk
@unitetheunion.bsky.social
@eisunion.bsky.social
(Insert your Star Wars themed ballot puns below ↘️)
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
Ballots will be arriving soon! It’s Time To Win ✊🏻
October 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Ballots will be arriving soon! It’s Time To Win ✊🏻
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
Kid has an English assignment, where school has kids first submit essay to an "AI checker." Kid did not use AI. AI checker says the use of the word "devoid" magically turned essay into 18% AI written. Changing "devoid" makes it drop to 0%. We're spending time "un-AI-ing" an essay that has no AI.
August 31, 2024 at 10:29 PM
Kid has an English assignment, where school has kids first submit essay to an "AI checker." Kid did not use AI. AI checker says the use of the word "devoid" magically turned essay into 18% AI written. Changing "devoid" makes it drop to 0%. We're spending time "un-AI-ing" an essay that has no AI.
Excellent energy in the room this evening, and it’s always a treat to hear Andrea speak! I was honoured to be asked onto the panel. Hearing from members across the country about how change is urgently needed made it so clear: we need to get out the vote for @andrea4gs.bsky.social!
I’m at UNISON’s National Disabled Members’ Conference #undmc25 this weekend, and will be speaking at this fringe meeting tonight in support of Andrea Egan for General Secretary @andrea4gs.bsky.social: Albert Suite, Pullman Hotel, L3 4FP - 6.30-8pm.
October 26, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Excellent energy in the room this evening, and it’s always a treat to hear Andrea speak! I was honoured to be asked onto the panel. Hearing from members across the country about how change is urgently needed made it so clear: we need to get out the vote for @andrea4gs.bsky.social!
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
Our chair has posted his ballot have you posted yours? Get it done ASAP and begin the fight back against real terms pay cuts.
October 26, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Our chair has posted his ballot have you posted yours? Get it done ASAP and begin the fight back against real terms pay cuts.
I’m at UNISON’s National Disabled Members’ Conference #undmc25 this weekend, and will be speaking at this fringe meeting tonight in support of Andrea Egan for General Secretary @andrea4gs.bsky.social: Albert Suite, Pullman Hotel, L3 4FP - 6.30-8pm.
October 26, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I’m at UNISON’s National Disabled Members’ Conference #undmc25 this weekend, and will be speaking at this fringe meeting tonight in support of Andrea Egan for General Secretary @andrea4gs.bsky.social: Albert Suite, Pullman Hotel, L3 4FP - 6.30-8pm.
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
A 1.4% pay offer for Higher Education workers is an insult after nearly two decades of below inflation offers.
UNISON’s ballot for strike action opened Monday 20 Oct and will run until Friday 28 Nov.
We urge all members to vote YES for strike action and to get their ballots returned ASAP!
UNISON’s ballot for strike action opened Monday 20 Oct and will run until Friday 28 Nov.
We urge all members to vote YES for strike action and to get their ballots returned ASAP!
October 25, 2025 at 9:52 AM
A 1.4% pay offer for Higher Education workers is an insult after nearly two decades of below inflation offers.
UNISON’s ballot for strike action opened Monday 20 Oct and will run until Friday 28 Nov.
We urge all members to vote YES for strike action and to get their ballots returned ASAP!
UNISON’s ballot for strike action opened Monday 20 Oct and will run until Friday 28 Nov.
We urge all members to vote YES for strike action and to get their ballots returned ASAP!
Dragon (8 years old): ‘Maybe it’s not their cup of tea; not their squeeze of lemon.”
October 25, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Dragon (8 years old): ‘Maybe it’s not their cup of tea; not their squeeze of lemon.”
Quotes from today’s bookclub meeting at work:
•’Why would you want a laptop? Why wouldn’t you want a packet of gravy?’
•’It was quite readable. Listenable? It was quite listenable.’
•’Why would you want a laptop? Why wouldn’t you want a packet of gravy?’
•’It was quite readable. Listenable? It was quite listenable.’
October 23, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Quotes from today’s bookclub meeting at work:
•’Why would you want a laptop? Why wouldn’t you want a packet of gravy?’
•’It was quite readable. Listenable? It was quite listenable.’
•’Why would you want a laptop? Why wouldn’t you want a packet of gravy?’
•’It was quite readable. Listenable? It was quite listenable.’
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
🫵🏻This is your union, and it should be led by the membership!
I will act consistently to build the confidence and campaigning skills of our members to use their power in the workplace to secure wins.
I will act consistently to build the confidence and campaigning skills of our members to use their power in the workplace to secure wins.
October 22, 2025 at 10:45 AM
🫵🏻This is your union, and it should be led by the membership!
I will act consistently to build the confidence and campaigning skills of our members to use their power in the workplace to secure wins.
I will act consistently to build the confidence and campaigning skills of our members to use their power in the workplace to secure wins.
I’m chaperoning Dragon’s school Halloween Disco this evening. The DJ gave her the mic earlier to belt out Golden. She was taking a break, but activated like a sleeper agent when Apt. was played. Now she’s bouncing right in front of the stage like she’s at the barricade at a concert.
She’s eight.
She’s eight.
October 21, 2025 at 6:26 PM
I’m chaperoning Dragon’s school Halloween Disco this evening. The DJ gave her the mic earlier to belt out Golden. She was taking a break, but activated like a sleeper agent when Apt. was played. Now she’s bouncing right in front of the stage like she’s at the barricade at a concert.
She’s eight.
She’s eight.
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
This is why we recommend all members being balloted across any union vote YES for strike action!
October 21, 2025 at 2:52 PM
This is why we recommend all members being balloted across any union vote YES for strike action!
Reposted by Lykara Ryder
We need a new funding model. One that will provide education to all without the need for massive debt and one that will ensure that hardworking HE staff - both in professional services and academia - are rewarded for making our universities happen.
October 21, 2025 at 2:52 PM
We need a new funding model. One that will provide education to all without the need for massive debt and one that will ensure that hardworking HE staff - both in professional services and academia - are rewarded for making our universities happen.