Lykara Ryder
LightNews LightNews
banner
lykarar.bsky.social
Lykara Ryder
@lykarar.bsky.social
310 followers 710 following 360 posts
Union activist. Conlang enthusiast. Higher education exponent and worker bee. Liberation advocate and campaigner. Disabled immigrant.
Posts Replies Media Videos
lykarar.bsky.social
Judged on both her past record and her future plans, Andrea Egan is the leader UNISON needs. Eligible members need to return their ballots as soon as possible - it’s time to win!

@andrea4gs.bsky.social
Graphic with a collage of photos of UNISON members smiling as they post their ballot into a red post box. There is a deep purple background with the words ‘Time To Win’ written in white at the top. At the bottom is the logo for Andrea Egan for General Secretary.
November 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
Andrea is standing to be our first ever lay member General Secretary; a rolling litany of full-time officers and bureaucrats hasn’t served us well. Andrea developed her manifesto through open consultation with fellow members, focusing on *our* priorities.

@andrea4gs.bsky.social
Graphic showing how to return a vote for Andrea Egan. 1 Mark X for Andrea. 2 Put the ballot paper in envelope. 3 Return straight away. At the top, it says ‘it only takes a minute to vote!’ There are pictures of a hand holding the envelope that the ballot will arrive in, and of a hand returning a completed ballot to a red post box. At the bottom is the logo for Andrea Egan for UNISON General Secretary.
November 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
• has pledged to free up resources so branches can better meet members’ needs; and
• will take the wage of a social worker rather than the eye-watering £181,000 pay package our current GS receives, with the difference being donated back to UNISON to help members.

@andrea4gs.bsky.social
Photo of my ballot paper for the UNISON General Secretary Election 2025. There is an X vote next to Andrea Egan’s name.
November 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
Andrea is principled and kind, but also has a wealth of experience and the right plan to get our union delivering wins for members. Andrea
• supports action to end wage stagnation;
• opposes blank cheques to politicians who don’t act in line with policy set by members;

@andrea4gs.bsky.social
Photo of a room full of smiling people holding up leaflets campaigning for Andrea Egan for General Secretary. Andrea with her distinctive red hair is in the front row. Photo of Andrea Egan (white woman with red hair, dressed in a black coat with keffiyeh) standing alongside striking UNISON workers. Andrea took annual leave to support picket lines in the longstanding industrial action by phlebotomists in Gloucester seeking a regrade from band 2 to band 3.
November 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
Even though the return envelope has prepaid 2nd class postage, I’m not risking it: my vote for Andrea Egan for Unison General Secretary got a 1st class stamp after work and is in a postal bag right now!

@andrea4gs.bsky.social
Photo of an envelope and a leaflet. The envelope is addressed to Civica Election Services and has a 1st class stamp added to it. The leaflet shows a smiling picture of Andrea Egan (white woman with red hair wearing a blue shirt with grey cardigan). The leaflet explains that Andrea is asking for your vote based on her strong track record and her commitment to put UNISON members first.
November 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
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
Photo of my hand posting a pre-paid envelope into a red postbox.
November 3, 2025 at 10:35 AM
lykarar.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.
Front page of a leaflet. The background is a purple/grey with a picture of a smiling white woman with bright red hair, wearing a dark blue shirt with vertical stripes. The bottom of the leaflet has a logo reading ‘Andrea Egan for General Secretary’. The main text of the leaflet reads ‘Disabled Members Conference Evening Fringe Meeting — Albert Suite, Pullman Hotel, L3 4FP — Sunday 26th October - 6.30-8pm. Speakers: Lykara Ryder, Branch Secretary & Disabled Member's Officer at Manchester Metro University Branch Tara Thomas, National Black Members Committee Danny Purdie, Co-chair of the Trans, Non-Binary & Gender Diverse Caucus Andrea Egan, NEC Member and UNISON General Secretary Candidate’ Back page of a leaflet. The background colour is a deep purple and the bottom has a logo reading ‘Andrea Egan for General Secretary’. The main text of the leaflet reads ‘There is no place for any form of discrimination in our union. I have consistently opposed all forms of discrimination including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, ableism and ageism and I always will. I know that a commitment to equality for all is shared by the overwhelming majority of our members, particularly our self-organised groups, who have led the charge against prejudice in our union for decades. Regrettably, our union's subservience to the Labour Party has meant that our opposition to discrimination has frequently crumbled in the face of Starmer's reactionary agenda. The current Government has attacked the welfare benefits received by disabled people. If our members' policy meant anything, our General Secretary would have used our union's substantial influence and contributions to Labour to robustly stand up for our values - but all we have seen is mealy-mouthed statements in public and subservience behind the scenes. This has to change. Either we believe in equalities or we don't. I will defend the rights of disabled members, ensuring that reasonable adjustments, equal opportunities and protection from discrimination are non-negotiable. We will challenge ableism, recognising that workplace accessibility and dignity are fundamental rights, not privileges.’
October 26, 2025 at 2:31 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
Brilliant use of All Staff e-mail. 😍 I no longer want to receive notifications of meetings or senior staff appointments; only messages about party games or leftover catering in break rooms, please.
Screenshot of an email that reads: To [workplace redacted] ALLSTAFF Hi all - Apologies for the mass email 😊 I found four sets of Jenga (aka 'Tumbling Tower') in [room redacted] today. If this is yours, please let me know: you can find it in [room redacted] Best,
October 9, 2025 at 11:21 AM
lykarar.bsky.social
I’m afraid the course ended yesterday so I have no more quotes to share today, but please enjoy this dessert plate that the venue presented to me.
Picture of a dessert plate with two slices of some sort of chocolate pie on it. The plate is out of focus, however, as the focus is on a yellow post-it note on the front edge of the plate with the words ‘gulton free’ written in pen. It’s clearly a misspelled attempt at labelling the dessert as gluten-free.
September 12, 2025 at 3:51 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
As a linguist and as someone who lived in Maryland for ~15 years…

*sigh*

No.
Picture of a sleeve of Maryland “s’wich” cookies for sale in a grocery store.
August 21, 2025 at 8:06 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
I asked for ‘a fountain soda’.
Picture of a bottle of Fanta.
August 19, 2025 at 1:55 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
Language in the wild:

Let’s get one thing straight - no matter what this pastry is, it most certainly is not ‘Panna Choc’.
Picture of a label next to a plate of pastries. The printed label says ‘Panna Choc’, but this has been crossed out and ‘Cinnamon Swirl’ is handwritten in pen above it.
August 15, 2025 at 9:46 AM
lykarar.bsky.social
Loved one organised a surprise birthday party for me yesterday, and the cake he ordered had me absolutely CACKLING.
Picture of a birthday cake with teal frosting. The sugar decorations on top include a small graduation cap, a green and purple book labeled ‘UNISON Regs’, a green hammer and sickle, and a sign with ‘STRIKE! STRIKE!’ written in black and red.
July 20, 2025 at 12:35 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
They do that with a dropdown menu, and then dare to ask what the issue is?!
Photo of a computer screen showing a dropdown menu. The prompt is to ‘Please select a floor’, but then the dropdown choices are listed alphabetically as ‘Elevation; External; Fifth Floor; First Floor; Fourth Floor; Ground Floor; Roof; Second Floor’. After the dropdown menu, the next prompt is ‘What is the issue?’
July 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
Day 1 done! We’ll be back bright and early tomorrow, rain or shine.
Picture of ~100 UNISON members in hi-vis vests, waving purple flags. We’re picketing in the rain, but everyone is cheering and chanting - the mood is clearly high. 💪
June 24, 2025 at 12:02 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
Not a terribly well-timed or -framed photo, and it was just taken on my phone, but I liked this and thought others might like it as well.
Photo of a single, fluffy, baby duck swimming after its mother. The mom is heading into some lakeside greenery. Dozens of pink and purple flowers and various yellow and green leaves are floating on the surface of the water. The pond is greenish but the reflection on the water shows it’s a sunny day with a few clouds, and that several trees stand beside the pond. Overall, it’s a picture of nature being cute and colourful on a spring day.
May 29, 2025 at 8:43 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
I don’t have any pets, but I got to see this cute dude yesterday if that’s acceptable? He’s only 8 months old so was hilariously moody with his handler. 😄
Photo of a woman holding a falcon. She is seated on a bench in a grassy field with a large tree behind her. She is wearing a blue sweatshirt that says Bolton Castle. The falcon is 8 months old so is full grown in size but not particularly muscly yet. The falcon’s feathers are predominantly brown with white tips at the end of his tail.
May 28, 2025 at 10:01 AM
lykarar.bsky.social
We’ve done absolutely nothing for our garden. We’ve let the soil do whatever it wants. We don’t pull any weeds. Anything that grows came from seeds that landed on that spot naturally.

Our garden is literally *humming* with bees today. And I think it’s beautiful.
Photo of a small front garden absolutely crammed with native plants and ‘weeds’. There are daisies, vervain, clover, and bugle flowers - and many more. It’s a sunny day and the many shades of green from the stems and leaves are really cheerful.
May 23, 2025 at 10:06 AM
lykarar.bsky.social
I *literally NEVER* want an AI summary when I’m trying to look something up, for all the obvious reasons. But also - what the hell is this? I’ve highlighted the only part that makes sense to me.
Screenshot of an AI Overview provided by Google. Don’t worry if your screen reader has trouble with it because it very simply does not make sense. The part that I’ve highlighted is the final sentence saying ‘AI responses may include mistakes.’ The text of the screenshot reads: Here are a few puns on the word "union": • "They decided to form a 'union' of their shared dreams, but it turned into a real 'un-ion' of headaches.": (Playing on the similar pronunciation and implying a negative outcome). • "He was in the 'union', but he felt like an 'un-ion' in the crowd.": (Again, playing on the sound and implying he didn't fit in). • "The two companies were under a lot of pressure to form a 'union'. Instead, they decided to 'un-ion' and go their separate ways.": (Playing on the idea of joining and then separating). • "I'm all for a good 'union', but I'm not sure we should 'un-ion' the messy with the clean.": (Playing on the idea of combining two things that don't quite mix). Al responses may include mistakes.
May 22, 2025 at 8:01 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
This magnificent e-mail was the highlight of my day. I would be a complete agent of chaos if I had access to a reliable Court Case Spell, I can promise you that.
Photo of a computer screen displaying an e-mail. The message has no subject line and the body of the e-mail reads as follows… GREETINGS: I welcome you to my great spell and spiritual work, I'm a well Certified and professional Spell Caster, l am a Voodoo Priest, herbal cure medicine practitioner and a Psychic Spiritual Leader with over 30 years of experience which i inherited from my forefathers in doing spiritual work and herbal medicine cure for sickness and diseases.. We render the following services such as: 1. If you're always having nightmare 2. Removing blockages 3. Love spell 4. Love spell, get your Ex-Back 5. Lottery spell 6. Financial spell 7. Good luck spell 8. Court Case Spell 9. Spell to Stop Divorce/ Divorce Spell 10. Marry me Spell 11. Obsession/Binding Spell 12. Revenge Spell 13. Cure for sickness and diseases 14. Pregnancy spell 15. Spiritual cleansing and Financial breakthroughs etc. All my services are 99.9% guaranteed and they manifest within 24-48hrs Contact us via Email: spellcaster4023@gmail.com/Google chat for your solutions Thanks Dr Amado
May 14, 2025 at 6:11 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
I took a little stroll during my lunch break yesterday, and this teeny tiny flower cheered me. So I’m sharing it with all of you.
Photo of a teeny tiny flower that has fallen between two textured brick pavers. The flower is mostly white with a hint of pink at the centre, with pale yellow stamen. In the spirit of honesty, the photo isn’t a very good one because it was taken on a phone and would’ve been much better if I’d had a macro lens.
March 8, 2025 at 1:20 PM
lykarar.bsky.social
Our branch aggregate AGMs kick off today; wish me luck! And I have no explanation for why the M didn’t print with the proper colour, but I was DELIGHTED when I saw one on a desk where a member had finished filling the letter in. 😆
Picture of a Manchester Metropolitan University UNISON branch leaflet announcing our aggregate AGM meetings for 2025 (on 6, 11, and 12 March). The letters ‘AGM’ at the top should be entirely green, but the ‘M’ misprinted with only a sliver of green; someone has used a pen to fill in the rest of the outline with crosshatched shading. At the bottom of the leaflet, it says that our Guest Speaker this year is Ameen Hadi, chair of the North West UNISON Black Members Committee and winner of UNISON’s Nelson Mandela Award.
March 6, 2025 at 9:28 AM
lykarar.bsky.social
Disclaimers for the internet:
•No, I have not delved into RBG’s mixed legacy. Dragon’s choice is based entirely on reading this book.
•No, my kid’s name isn’t actually Dragon.
Front cover of the Little People Big Dreams book on Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The artwork is a cartoon drawing of a little girl with her hair in a bun, black-framed glasses, a black judge’s robe with white lace collar, and a wooden gavel.
March 6, 2025 at 9:05 AM
lykarar.bsky.social
Dragon chose to be Ruth Bader Ginsburg for World Book Day / International Women’s Day. (Yes, her hair is in a bun and she’s wearing glasses to match the cover.)
Photo of a child standing in front of her front door. She is wearing a black robe with a white lace collar and is holding a wood gavel. To protect her privacy, she is holding a book in front of her face: it’s the Little People Big Dreams book on Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The front cover also shows a little girl in a black robe with white lace collar carrying a wood gavel.
March 6, 2025 at 9:05 AM
lykarar.bsky.social
Quote post with a picture you took in a National Park.

Olympic National Park is one of my *most favourite places on the planet*. I have taken thousands of beautiful nature photos and made many treasured family memories there. This is a view of Lake Crescent, taken Oct 2023. ❤️
Nature photo. Framed by tree branches in the foreground on all four sides, the view is of a gorgeous blue lake backed by a heavily forested hill in the distance. The sky is bright blue with fluffy white clouds.
February 25, 2025 at 6:50 PM