UCU Northern Region Podcast

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 appointedhttps://www.tuc.org.uk/news/dave-pike-appointed-new-regional-secretary-northeast-yorkshire-and-humber-tucRegional TUC comment on Higher Education in the NE:https://www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/stakes-are-high-if-university-funding-crisis-continuesTUC Reps Courseshttps://www.tuc.org.uk/training/TUCcoursesAnti-Right and Populism Briefings:MIDDLESBROUGH 24/06/25https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/tuc-education-anti-right-and-populism-regional-briefing-middlesbroughSUNDERLAND 27/06/25https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/tuc-education-anti-right-and-populism-regional-briefing-sunderland

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode, Jon Bryan updates us on recent news and commentary in post-16 education in the region and across the UK. Including: the row over pay in FE and the upcoming strikes; the new Northern TUC Regional Secretary; UCU motion on a three-day weekend at the TUC Congress; UCU workload survey at Newcastle University; and the end of Gavin Williamson…..

In this episode, UCU's Joyce McAndrew talks about the steps that trade union reps need to take to when negotiating a policy. Also, Jon Bryan provides an update of industrial action ballots across England on pay in further education colleges.

Chris Robinson (Caseworker) and Jon Bryan (Regional Support Official) discuss how to represent UCU members, plus the latest round up of news.

In this episode, Jon Bryan speaks to Fiona McGarry, the Chair of the union’s Academic-Related Staff Committee. Fiona talks about the motion on working from home that the Committee is taking to UCU Annual Congress and discusses some of the issues to watch out for. Also, Sarah Parry, UCU Organiser, talks about the briefings she is running, and there’s also a round up of news from the region and across the union.

In this episode, Jon Bryan, Regional Support Official in the Northern Region, outlines some ways that UCU representatives can help members facing issues at work to do with their mental health. There are also a few updates about some Colleges and Universities in the region.

In this episode, we speak to Dr. Jonathan Saha, and Associate Professor at Durham University. Jonathan talks to us about the growing crisis in Myanmar, and discusses the sorts of things we can do in Universities and Colleges in this country to offer support and solidarity.

To mark International Women’s Day - 8 March 2021 - Jon Bryan asks Dr Sarah Hughes to talk about her research into how precarious employment in Higher Education impacts on when to start a family. Victoria Murray talks about some of the other challenges facing women as we discuss how we #ChooseToChallenge

In this episode, we speak to Victoria Murray, the UCU Equality Officer at Northumbria University - looking back at LGBT History Month (2021); and to Andy Clark, from Newcastle University UCU, about their campaigning (and the outcomes) from the anti-casualisation work over the last three years.

Dr Marek Szablewski was born and brought up in the UK, but his family are from Warsaw, Poland. A scientist by trade, Marek researched some of the stories from his family during the second world war, and talks to Jon Bryan from UCU about their lives and experiences.

In this episode, Jon Bryan and Joyce McAndrew discuss the impact of the latest Lockdown on UCU members working in Colleges & Universities. Including: Critical Worker Status; Furlough for Parents/Carers; Remote Learning.

In this episode of the podcast, Jon Bryan talks to some of our Further Education UCU Reps about what 2020 has been like, and what might we expect in 2021 and the future.

In November 2020, the UCU Branch at Northumbria University achieved a first: they became the first union branch in the UK to win a ballot over health and safety relating to Covid-19. In this episode, we speak to Joe Street, Victoria Murray and Ariane Bogain about how they did it, and what lessons other trade unionists can learn from it.

In this episode, we interview the UCU Branch Chair of Northumbria University, after the strong mandate in their industrial action ballot. Adam Hansen tells us what’s happened and what is next - and we also look at the 2016 Trade Union Act and how that means unions need to get a 50% turnout

An ever increasing workload - in breadth and depth - continues to be an issue for both further and higher education. This podcast looks at some of the issues and considers how UCU Reps could begin to challenge how work is organised and make changes to it.

As Northumbria University announces that 770 students have tested positive for COVID-19, Adam Hansen, (UCU Branch Chair at Northumbria University) speaks to Kait Borsay from Times Radio.

As local lockdown restrictions come into force in parts of the NE, we look at the issue of Face Coverings in communal areas of FE Colleges. What does the government guidance say? What is happening in different colleges? Jon Bryan asks Joyce McAndrew asks what she has found and how Colleges deal with exemptions.

In this episode of the podcast, we look at the impact of local lockdowns, risk assessments, and why Northumbria University UCU have voted to declare a local dispute. Jon Bryan speaks with Adam Hansen, from UCU at Northumbria University

In this episode, we speak to the UCU Northern Regional Secretary, Emma-Jane Phillips, and Regional FE Secretary Jo Potts. We discuss workload implications for our members about working online and delivering "blended learning", as well as what all of this means for staff and learners as the new academic year begins.

As Colleges start to re-open their doors to staff and students, Jon Bryan and Joyce McAndrew talk about Risk Assessments. In this episode, they focus on members who are either vulnerable, or have specific concerns about returning to work. What should members look for in an individual risk assessment? And are there other things that representatives and members of the union should be considering? The advice applies to Universities as well, where staff are still largely working at home, but who may see a return to campus in the coming weeks and months.

In this episode of the podcast, we look at the chaos and confusion that has surrounded exam results this August. We also look at the re-opening of the Further Education sector to staff and students, and look at the advice and guidance that has been provided by the government and the University and College Union. What needs to be done to ensure a safe return to work?

In this episode, we reproduce excerpts from Ed Bailey's talk on using email to organise in a trade union from UCU's Webinar - "Digital Organising for UCU activists"

Tyne Coast College seems to be unique in our region. It did not top up salaries for the staff that it chose to furlough. We have surveyed our members for their experiences. This podcast pulls some of those together.

On 2 July 2020, the government published some new guidance: What FE colleges and providers will need to do from the start of the 2020 autumn term In this podcast, Regional Support Officials Jon Bryan and Joyce McAndrew talk about what UCU Representatives and members should be considering in light of this new guidance.

In this episode, we look at different ways of communicating with UCU members, particularly at a time when everyone can feel isolated under Covid-19 restrictions, and when the workplace is your home. Jon Bryan, David O'Toole and Sarah Parry give some hints on what you can do about producing newsletters, using email, holding meetings via video-conferencing facilities, and conducting surveys.

Jon Bryan and Joyce McAndrew explain and discuss consultation meetings for individuals facing redundancy.

As Colleges and Universities start their planning due to the impact of Covid-19, we ask Regional Support Official, Joyce McAndrew, for some advice on using Phased/Flexible Retirement to avoid or minimise redundancies

Introduction to the UCU Northern Region Podcast

Jon Bryan, Regional Support Official, gives some guidance on what you should do if you are asked to work whilst being on furlough, and beginning to use social media for trade union work