Kerry Lemon – Report To Newcastle College UCU Branch “My First UCU Congress” June 2018

Those of us without very strong political leanings are in danger of sleepwalking into being represented by those who have no interest in our views.

The Charge of the Education Brigade

Anya Cook sits on University and College Union’s National Executive and Further Education Committee and she is Branch Secretary at Newcastle College where she is employed as Higher Education Mentor. Here she tells Transforming Lives why she asked UCU to support her motion to lobby for a Royal Commission into Education in England from Cradle … Continue reading The Charge of the Education Brigade →

Building Strong Unions Conference #TUC150

Good Morning Conference. I am Branch Secretary of UCU - University & College Union - at Newcastle College and I am proud to sit on both its National Executive and its Further Education Committee. I would like to thank Tony Dowling and the organisers for inviting me to speak to you here today. Our theme … Continue reading Building Strong Unions Conference #TUC150 →

“I couldn’t possibly do that!”

I was first asked by a veteran Labour councillor to consider standing as a candidate back in 2007. "I couldn't possibly do that - and there is no way I could go doorknocking". End of conversation.There was no reason for the "I couldn't possibly" other than I had never even considered ... and it was … Continue reading “I couldn’t possibly do that!” →

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned Anya Cook, Higher Education Mentor, Newcastle College, UCU Branch Secretary, National Executive *some names have been changed Working with young people is challenging and tiring but it can also be rewarding; there is always something more that can be learned and I learn as much from them as I would hope they do … Continue reading Lessons Learned →

Newcastle Parks Forum and Save Our Parks Meeting

The information that was released last week, ahead of Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet Meeting at which the parks proposal will be discussed, instigated the decision at the weekend to convene this meeting today. Some of what I say this evening you will have heard me say before – but I believe that some points are … Continue reading Newcastle Parks Forum and Save Our Parks Meeting →

Response to Grenfell

The Grenfell fire is totemic of the politics of neo-liberalism and the drive for profit over any other human consideration. As such totem, it is beyond a local issue and is etched on the national consciousness – the refusal to take health and safety seriously, the shear and unnecessary loss of human life, of working … Continue reading Response to Grenfell →