Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
@vickyblake.bsky.social
♥️education ♥️unions ♥️democracy
Widening Participation @ Leeds Uni
UCU NEC, negotiator, Educ'n Comm Chair, Climate+Ecological Emergency Comm Co-chair
@leedsucu Branch Sec
vickyblakeucu.uk
Neurodivergent, LC
#EduSky #AbortionIsHealthcare #CleanTheAir
Widening Participation @ Leeds Uni
UCU NEC, negotiator, Educ'n Comm Chair, Climate+Ecological Emergency Comm Co-chair
@leedsucu Branch Sec
vickyblakeucu.uk
Neurodivergent, LC
#EduSky #AbortionIsHealthcare #CleanTheAir
Pinned
Hi all new BSky people! When I first arrived it was the thing to do intro posts to find followers & reassure them not a bot! I'm a widening participation professional working in UK #HigherEd v interested in education policy + I'm an active trade unionist with @ucu.org.uk and #Leeds Trades Council.
A "Voluntary Enhanced Retirement" scheme was announced at our place (Uni of Leeds) today with more details due in an FAQ on Monday.
My personal take is that it is, on current information, difficult not to see this as a form of voluntary redundancy scheme. Have we seen similar at other branches?
/1
My personal take is that it is, on current information, difficult not to see this as a form of voluntary redundancy scheme. Have we seen similar at other branches?
/1
A "Voluntary Enhanced Retirement" scheme was announced by the VC at University of Leeds earlier today.
We encourage all members to attend our 13 Nov branch General Meeting (12:45-2pm, online) and to keep watch on your emails for more info/advice and further meetings (incl. email sent today ~13:30)
We encourage all members to attend our 13 Nov branch General Meeting (12:45-2pm, online) and to keep watch on your emails for more info/advice and further meetings (incl. email sent today ~13:30)
October 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
A "Voluntary Enhanced Retirement" scheme was announced at our place (Uni of Leeds) today with more details due in an FAQ on Monday.
My personal take is that it is, on current information, difficult not to see this as a form of voluntary redundancy scheme. Have we seen similar at other branches?
/1
My personal take is that it is, on current information, difficult not to see this as a form of voluntary redundancy scheme. Have we seen similar at other branches?
/1
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
More #UCU branches now added to our starter pack 💞 of formal branch/committee presences we've found (no individuals)
Please let us know if yours is missing (and sorry about the delay @ucugreenwich.bsky.social @brunelucu.bsky.social @ysjucu.bsky.social @uhiucu.bsky.social @ucuimperial.bsky.social!)
Please let us know if yours is missing (and sorry about the delay @ucugreenwich.bsky.social @brunelucu.bsky.social @ysjucu.bsky.social @uhiucu.bsky.social @ucuimperial.bsky.social!)
We made a starter pack!
It’s got all the formal branch and commitee presences we could find so far for #UCU - please let us know if your branch / regional committee / other formal elected committee is missing and we’ll do our best to keep it up to date! (No individuals on here) go.bsky.app/H8xiSXj
It’s got all the formal branch and commitee presences we could find so far for #UCU - please let us know if your branch / regional committee / other formal elected committee is missing and we’ll do our best to keep it up to date! (No individuals on here) go.bsky.app/H8xiSXj
October 28, 2025 at 1:52 PM
More #UCU branches now added to our starter pack 💞 of formal branch/committee presences we've found (no individuals)
Please let us know if yours is missing (and sorry about the delay @ucugreenwich.bsky.social @brunelucu.bsky.social @ysjucu.bsky.social @uhiucu.bsky.social @ucuimperial.bsky.social!)
Please let us know if yours is missing (and sorry about the delay @ucugreenwich.bsky.social @brunelucu.bsky.social @ysjucu.bsky.social @uhiucu.bsky.social @ucuimperial.bsky.social!)
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
Thank you @ducuuo.bsky.social comrades for returning this result.
We will not give up. We care about our university, our students and our city. It has been a very long time since anyone at the top did. That’s got to change.
We will not give up. We care about our university, our students and our city. It has been a very long time since anyone at the top did. That’s got to change.
Our members have voted to support industrial action to fight against job cuts passed today!
In the ballot our 72% of members were in favour of strike action, and 90% in favour of action short of strike. Turnout was 58%.
Thank you to all members, reps and officials for helping us get the vote out.
In the ballot our 72% of members were in favour of strike action, and 90% in favour of action short of strike. Turnout was 58%.
Thank you to all members, reps and officials for helping us get the vote out.
October 6, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Thank you @ducuuo.bsky.social comrades for returning this result.
We will not give up. We care about our university, our students and our city. It has been a very long time since anyone at the top did. That’s got to change.
We will not give up. We care about our university, our students and our city. It has been a very long time since anyone at the top did. That’s got to change.
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
oh, we know how we reacted, because we were advised by UCU HQ on that... Nobody fills this in. Absolutely nobody. People who are not taking action should should that kind of solidarity to ensure this doesn't get implemented because it's going to harm your workplace disastrously if they allow it.
September 22, 2025 at 5:47 PM
oh, we know how we reacted, because we were advised by UCU HQ on that... Nobody fills this in. Absolutely nobody. People who are not taking action should should that kind of solidarity to ensure this doesn't get implemented because it's going to harm your workplace disastrously if they allow it.
Why is @ucu.org.uk engaging in the very behaviour that we/it publicly call out when members’ employers employ such tactics?
It is shameful. It undermines every branch of #UCU
It’s utterly destructive to staff morale and our branches’ leverage
Not in our name.
Solidarity @uniteucu.bsky.social
It is shameful. It undermines every branch of #UCU
It’s utterly destructive to staff morale and our branches’ leverage
Not in our name.
Solidarity @uniteucu.bsky.social
Do you want to know how UCU senior management has responded to UCU branches calling on them to remove their threat of deductions? This is how.
How would you react?
uniteucu.wordpress.com/2025/09/12/u...
How would you react?
uniteucu.wordpress.com/2025/09/12/u...
September 23, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Why is @ucu.org.uk engaging in the very behaviour that we/it publicly call out when members’ employers employ such tactics?
It is shameful. It undermines every branch of #UCU
It’s utterly destructive to staff morale and our branches’ leverage
Not in our name.
Solidarity @uniteucu.bsky.social
It is shameful. It undermines every branch of #UCU
It’s utterly destructive to staff morale and our branches’ leverage
Not in our name.
Solidarity @uniteucu.bsky.social
Really useful pensions thread from @josstified.bsky.social 👇
How much money do I need when I retire?
I found this table in this article moneyweek.com/personal-fin...
Based on a gap between state pension (12,014) and minimum retirement (13,400) of £1,386 that looks doable. 2x state pension already covers the minimum for a couple/ 2 person household.
1/6
I found this table in this article moneyweek.com/personal-fin...
Based on a gap between state pension (12,014) and minimum retirement (13,400) of £1,386 that looks doable. 2x state pension already covers the minimum for a couple/ 2 person household.
1/6
September 20, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Really useful pensions thread from @josstified.bsky.social 👇
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
With another 9 @ucu.org.uk branches now calling on UCU to do the right thing we wonder if @drjogrady.bsky.social is listening to her members.
September 19, 2025 at 1:19 PM
With another 9 @ucu.org.uk branches now calling on UCU to do the right thing we wonder if @drjogrady.bsky.social is listening to her members.
Nottingham colleagues @uonucu.bsky.social and UoN Unison are on strike next week in defence of jobs. Please donate to their hardship fund if you can, and please share the link 👇
#UnionStrong #DefendJobs #DefendHE #WeAreTheUniversity #UCU
#UnionStrong #DefendJobs #DefendHE #WeAreTheUniversity #UCU
Join us on the picked line! And if you can't, show your support by spreading the word on here, letting the university know that you stand with us, and contributing to our hardship fund.
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
Help raise £10000 to support UCU members facing financial hardship taking IA to protect jobs – JustGiving Crowdfunding
Iʼm raising money to support UCU members facing financial hardship taking IA to protect jobs. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.
www.justgiving.com
September 16, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Nottingham colleagues @uonucu.bsky.social and UoN Unison are on strike next week in defence of jobs. Please donate to their hardship fund if you can, and please share the link 👇
#UnionStrong #DefendJobs #DefendHE #WeAreTheUniversity #UCU
#UnionStrong #DefendJobs #DefendHE #WeAreTheUniversity #UCU
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
Strike action is ON!!!
Next week will be the first of 4 weeks of striking from our members as we continue to say NO to the compulsory redundancies forced on us by the university for their poor financial choices.
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
Next week will be the first of 4 weeks of striking from our members as we continue to say NO to the compulsory redundancies forced on us by the university for their poor financial choices.
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
September 15, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Strike action is ON!!!
Next week will be the first of 4 weeks of striking from our members as we continue to say NO to the compulsory redundancies forced on us by the university for their poor financial choices.
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
Next week will be the first of 4 weeks of striking from our members as we continue to say NO to the compulsory redundancies forced on us by the university for their poor financial choices.
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
Problematic (to put it kindly) on so many levels.
1) there isn't really 'unfunded' research. The REF is there to allocate resources so that research is possible without a grant.
1) there isn't really 'unfunded' research. The REF is there to allocate resources so that research is possible without a grant.
Ministers ‘want to shift funds away from low-quality research’ .
Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Ministers ‘want to shift funds away from low-quality research’ - Research Professional News
Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 12, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Problematic (to put it kindly) on so many levels.
1) there isn't really 'unfunded' research. The REF is there to allocate resources so that research is possible without a grant.
1) there isn't really 'unfunded' research. The REF is there to allocate resources so that research is possible without a grant.
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
Our sister unions will also be balloting soon so we stand together in the sector.
Paul Nowak, @tuc.org.uk General Secretary, stands with UCU members.
In October we ballot over pay, agreements, and jobs.
Vote YES.
#WeAreTheUniversity #ucu
In October we ballot over pay, agreements, and jobs.
Vote YES.
#WeAreTheUniversity #ucu
September 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Our sister unions will also be balloting soon so we stand together in the sector.
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
Solidarity
"Edinburgh Uni lecturers walk out on first of five days of industrial action"
Edinburgh Uni lecturers walk out on first of five days of industrial action
The University and College Union said it is ‘taking steps’ to extend its mandate for industrial action, which expires in November.
bit.ly
September 9, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Solidarity
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
Really helpful post here about the upcoming ballot which you'll have seen an email about on Monday. #WeAreTheUniversity - vote yes to:
▶️protect jobs and prevent cuts
▶️defend the agreements that support our work
▶️demand a pay uplift.
▶️protect jobs and prevent cuts
▶️defend the agreements that support our work
▶️demand a pay uplift.
There should be a joint statement from the five unions in the next day or so (which also mentions pay, jobs, and nationally agreed employment conditions).
For now, here is some further detail on what our dispute is about and what we UCU members will be balloted on nationally:
#WeAreTheUniversity
For now, here is some further detail on what our dispute is about and what we UCU members will be balloted on nationally:
#WeAreTheUniversity
September 9, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Really helpful post here about the upcoming ballot which you'll have seen an email about on Monday. #WeAreTheUniversity - vote yes to:
▶️protect jobs and prevent cuts
▶️defend the agreements that support our work
▶️demand a pay uplift.
▶️protect jobs and prevent cuts
▶️defend the agreements that support our work
▶️demand a pay uplift.
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
We will be balloting in October!
Remember, our dispute with the employers is three-fold: pay, protection of agreements and defence of jobs. Any ballot paper will have all three.
We all know these three issues are intrinsically linked. We know we need to fight them together.
#WeAreTheUniversity
Remember, our dispute with the employers is three-fold: pay, protection of agreements and defence of jobs. Any ballot paper will have all three.
We all know these three issues are intrinsically linked. We know we need to fight them together.
#WeAreTheUniversity
VCs don’t run universities.
We do.
After another real terms pay cut, UCU is launching a UK-wide strike ballot.
Ballot opens October.
Vote YES.
#WeAreTheUniversity
We do.
After another real terms pay cut, UCU is launching a UK-wide strike ballot.
Ballot opens October.
Vote YES.
#WeAreTheUniversity
September 9, 2025 at 9:45 AM
We will be balloting in October!
Remember, our dispute with the employers is three-fold: pay, protection of agreements and defence of jobs. Any ballot paper will have all three.
We all know these three issues are intrinsically linked. We know we need to fight them together.
#WeAreTheUniversity
Remember, our dispute with the employers is three-fold: pay, protection of agreements and defence of jobs. Any ballot paper will have all three.
We all know these three issues are intrinsically linked. We know we need to fight them together.
#WeAreTheUniversity
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
A tenet of Fascism is keep repeating lies and people will become so confused about what is the truth that they’ll start to believe them. We all have a responsibility to keep repeating the truth in the face of politically-motivated lying. Don’t just roll your eyes, speak up.
September 6, 2025 at 7:32 PM
A tenet of Fascism is keep repeating lies and people will become so confused about what is the truth that they’ll start to believe them. We all have a responsibility to keep repeating the truth in the face of politically-motivated lying. Don’t just roll your eyes, speak up.
Why is our trade union emulating the worst behaviour of our employers towards UCU staff? How many of our letters, motions, attempts to bring motions from lay members pressing for resolution have been ignored now? Solidarity with all @uniteucu.bsky.social #UnionStrong #ReclaimUCU
🚨 Third consecutive vote for industrial action 🚨
✅ strike action: 76%
✅ action short of a strike (ASOS): 80%
✅ turnout: 77%
ASOS begins today with @ucu.org.uk threatening staff: "We'll deduct your wages."
Double standards and vindictive attacks undermine us all.
#ReclaimUCU
✅ strike action: 76%
✅ action short of a strike (ASOS): 80%
✅ turnout: 77%
ASOS begins today with @ucu.org.uk threatening staff: "We'll deduct your wages."
Double standards and vindictive attacks undermine us all.
#ReclaimUCU
September 4, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Why is our trade union emulating the worst behaviour of our employers towards UCU staff? How many of our letters, motions, attempts to bring motions from lay members pressing for resolution have been ignored now? Solidarity with all @uniteucu.bsky.social #UnionStrong #ReclaimUCU
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
I have friends who run a shelter near the UN offices in Deir al-Balah. They reached the same decision today. People cannot be moved and there is nowhere to go. They asked me to circulate this message widely. “We received evacuation orders but decided to not evacuate at all. /1
July 22, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I have friends who run a shelter near the UN offices in Deir al-Balah. They reached the same decision today. People cannot be moved and there is nowhere to go. They asked me to circulate this message widely. “We received evacuation orders but decided to not evacuate at all. /1
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
Please support @bcu-ucu.bsky.social and sign our petition to stop the threat of compulsory redundancy for 342 staff. chng.it/nKTdm2RCZ7
@ucu.org.uk branches we need your support!
@ucu.org.uk branches we need your support!
Sign the Petition
Stop redundancies and cuts to student support at Birmingham City University
chng.it
July 8, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Please support @bcu-ucu.bsky.social and sign our petition to stop the threat of compulsory redundancy for 342 staff. chng.it/nKTdm2RCZ7
@ucu.org.uk branches we need your support!
@ucu.org.uk branches we need your support!
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
🚨 Lobby the BCU governors! 🚨
On Wed 16th BCU governors are meeting for an update on the current review, which has put 342 staff at risk of redundancy & cuts student support in multiple ways.
Join our lobby: 1pm outside Parkside Building
Bring your solidarity and your sun cream! #SaveBCU
On Wed 16th BCU governors are meeting for an update on the current review, which has put 342 staff at risk of redundancy & cuts student support in multiple ways.
Join our lobby: 1pm outside Parkside Building
Bring your solidarity and your sun cream! #SaveBCU
July 10, 2025 at 9:52 PM
🚨 Lobby the BCU governors! 🚨
On Wed 16th BCU governors are meeting for an update on the current review, which has put 342 staff at risk of redundancy & cuts student support in multiple ways.
Join our lobby: 1pm outside Parkside Building
Bring your solidarity and your sun cream! #SaveBCU
On Wed 16th BCU governors are meeting for an update on the current review, which has put 342 staff at risk of redundancy & cuts student support in multiple ways.
Join our lobby: 1pm outside Parkside Building
Bring your solidarity and your sun cream! #SaveBCU
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
We @ucu
are at the #DurhamMinersGala to honour the
@DurhamMiners
and the TU movement across the four nations.
I am representing every post-16 education member today, every branch defending jobs and demanding better pay and conditions.
are at the #DurhamMinersGala to honour the
@DurhamMiners
and the TU movement across the four nations.
I am representing every post-16 education member today, every branch defending jobs and demanding better pay and conditions.
July 12, 2025 at 9:38 AM
We @ucu
are at the #DurhamMinersGala to honour the
@DurhamMiners
and the TU movement across the four nations.
I am representing every post-16 education member today, every branch defending jobs and demanding better pay and conditions.
are at the #DurhamMinersGala to honour the
@DurhamMiners
and the TU movement across the four nations.
I am representing every post-16 education member today, every branch defending jobs and demanding better pay and conditions.
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
Current Leeds branch officers and our former hon sec reunited at #DurhamMinersGala today. Stay cool comrades!
July 12, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Current Leeds branch officers and our former hon sec reunited at #DurhamMinersGala today. Stay cool comrades!
Marching with Agnes today because we promised we’d come to this year’s #DurhamMinersGala together. Rest in power comrade, we miss you x
📸 for poster photo Chris Tregenza
@uonucu.bsky.social @leedsucu.bsky.social @redhillsdurham.bsky.social #BigMeeting #DurhamMiners
📸 for poster photo Chris Tregenza
@uonucu.bsky.social @leedsucu.bsky.social @redhillsdurham.bsky.social #BigMeeting #DurhamMiners
July 12, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Marching with Agnes today because we promised we’d come to this year’s #DurhamMinersGala together. Rest in power comrade, we miss you x
📸 for poster photo Chris Tregenza
@uonucu.bsky.social @leedsucu.bsky.social @redhillsdurham.bsky.social #BigMeeting #DurhamMiners
📸 for poster photo Chris Tregenza
@uonucu.bsky.social @leedsucu.bsky.social @redhillsdurham.bsky.social #BigMeeting #DurhamMiners
I've been deliberately taking more breaks from posting here / checking feeds recently (had some leave!) and came back for a scroll this evening to the reports of full on nazism from Grok over on X/Twitter 😑🫠
So someone at Twitter deleted Grok’s original antisemitic post from earlier today, and now Grok is defiantly defending the antisemitism and mocking the mods.
July 8, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I've been deliberately taking more breaks from posting here / checking feeds recently (had some leave!) and came back for a scroll this evening to the reports of full on nazism from Grok over on X/Twitter 😑🫠
Reposted by Vicky Blake UCU (she/her)
A delegation from our branch joined our comrades at University of Bradford, striking over plans to make £16m of cuts, slash hundreds of jobs and close multiple courses. Solidarity!
June 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM
A delegation from our branch joined our comrades at University of Bradford, striking over plans to make £16m of cuts, slash hundreds of jobs and close multiple courses. Solidarity!