♥️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 #CleanTheAirhttps://bsky.app/profile/vickyblake.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/vickyblake.bsky.social/post/3mipca7hs7s2hA lovely thing: I found a small bottle of Mum’s long discontinued perfume from when she was a young woman into the 90s, in good condition on eBay. Gave it to her today and she sniffed it on her wrists with a gorgeous smile and said “it’s me”. Looking for the bright spots where we can really helps.04 Apr 2026 22:35 +0000at://did:plc:4pf57o7nda3r5sqwclqwpgp2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mipca7hs7s2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/vickyblake.bsky.social/post/3mif2f2lt4k24The Certification Officer has issued his decision in Blake & McGaughey v UCU. My initial response is here: https://vickyblakeucu.uk/2026/03/31/the-certification-officers-ruling-blake-mcgaughey-v-ucu/ I urge members to read the full ruling rather than relying on the summary emailed to all members by HQ today. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69cbcbc4a60a12ca3913c649/25_3_26_McGaughey___Blake_v_UCU_decision_-_FINAL.pdf31 Mar 2026 20:48 +0000at://did:plc:4pf57o7nda3r5sqwclqwpgp2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mif2f2lt4k24https://bsky.app/profile/vickyblake.bsky.social/post/3mhktgmbse22tAt the beautiful Pitman’s Parliament (@redhillsdurham.bsky.social) in Durham for the North East, Yorkshire & Humber TUC AGM this weekend representing @ucu.org.uk with colleagues from our region. Got here early to take some pics before we got started - conference is now underway …21 Mar 2026 10:34 +0000at://did:plc:4pf57o7nda3r5sqwclqwpgp2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhktgmbse22thttps://bsky.app/profile/vickyblake.bsky.social/post/3mhigdlbzis2hI’d really love to know how the decisions to remove references in public health information to the possibility of airborne transmission of a disease like meningitis are made, and accounted for, especially when there is an outbreak. H/t @peteuk7.bsky.social who posted these on X/twitter:20 Mar 2026 11:34 +0000at://did:plc:4pf57o7nda3r5sqwclqwpgp2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhigdlbzis2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/vickyblake.bsky.social/post/3mhb24hvzwc27Solidarity with @hwucu.bsky.social, @ducuuo.bsky.social, Strathclyde and Aberdeen UCU all striking in Scotland today @ucuscotland.bsky.social17 Mar 2026 13:07 +0000at://did:plc:4pf57o7nda3r5sqwclqwpgp2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhb24hvzwc27https://bsky.app/profile/vickyblake.bsky.social/post/3mg3srx6lts26Our Certification Officer hearing (Blake & McGaughey v UCU) resumes tomorrow (Tue 3 March 2026) online As before, it is open to the public if you have requested a link from the CO’s office (info [at] certoffice [dot] org) @ewanmg.bsky.social and I continue to represent our own case in this process [contains quote post or other embedded content]02 Mar 2026 17:47 +0000at://did:plc:4pf57o7nda3r5sqwclqwpgp2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg3srx6lts26https://bsky.app/profile/vickyblake.bsky.social/post/3mfqzts22ms2y#UCU annual meeting for Academic Related & Professional Services (ARPS) staff today. We began with heartfelt thanks to our former committee secretary Jenny + introductory speech from current president Maria @chondrogianni.bsky.social recognising the breadth of work ARPS members undertake across HE.26 Feb 2026 10:54 +0000at://did:plc:4pf57o7nda3r5sqwclqwpgp2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfqzts22ms2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/vickyblake.bsky.social/post/3meqrqimnrc2uEvery word of @lucyburkemcr.bsky.social thread + this point especially. Why is our own union behaving like this in its capacity as an employer? Why are elected democratic bodies prevented from having the basic discussions about solidarity we ask of everyone else when our members are threatened? [contains quote post or other embedded content]13 Feb 2026 15:04 +0000at://did:plc:4pf57o7nda3r5sqwclqwpgp2/app.bsky.feed.post/3meqrqimnrc2u