Trade Unions

UCU

Why join the University and College Union?

UCU is the trade union that is officially recognised by Leeds University to negotiate on behalf of academic and academic-related (professional and managerial) staff. By joining you will be able to:

• Benefit from advice and support (including, if necessary, legal advice) on difficulties that arise in the workplace after you have joined the Union.
• Have your say in shaping UCU's position in negotiations with Leeds University about our terms and conditions.
• Be part of the organisation that negotiates at national level on the pay, pensions, and working conditions of academic and academic-related staff.

The Leeds UCU branch is one of the largest in the country and we have taken a lead role both locally and in terms of national policy in combating casualisation and improving migrant workers' rights.

Our size puts us in a strong position when negotiating to improve the working conditions of our members at Leeds, but this will only remain the case if new staff join!

Join UCU

Find out more about the UCU Leeds Branch

Unison

Unison is the trade union that is officially recognised by Leeds University to negotiate on behalf of support staff and support-related (professional and managerial) staff.

What is the role of a union?

Unions negotiate on behalf of their members for better pay and conditions, help individuals in trouble, and campaign for a safer, fairer University and society. As a member of a union you are also entitled to an array of discounts and benefits.

Why join UNISON?

By joining the University of Leeds Unison Branch, you will be joining over 1,200 colleagues who are members of Unison. Each of these members have their own reasons for joining UNISON and you can see just a few of them on our website.

As a member you will be able to access the following benefits:

• Unrivalled protection and representation at work
• Help with your pay and conditions of service
• Health and safety guidance and support
• Confidential welfare services for you and your dependents in difficult times
• Education and training advice and courses
• Special deals on a range of things from computers, holidays, mortgages, insurance, and car breakdown services to tax returns and credit cards.

As a Branch, we also run regular socials for our members; prize draws; free days out to the seaside and the Durham Miners’ Gala in summer and a free trip to a Christmas market in December.

Our Education Fund offers members one part-time, non-work-related course per academic year, part or fully-funded by the Branch, we send out emails on how to participate throughout the year but we regularly share news updates and information on what is happening around campus on our social media.

Our website provides more information about joining Unison and the costs associated and if you do decide to join, you can join Unison via our website.

If you have any questions about joining, you can contact our membership officer at [email protected] or contact our branch office directly at [email protected].

Unite

The Unite Branch at the University of Leeds is one of the three recognised trade unions on campus. Together with our sister-unions, UNISON and UCU, our Branch works hard to ensure that colleagues’ voices are listened to, and that our rights at work are respected. Our Members are primarily based in Estates and in Technical roles, but are also based in many different areas of the University. By joining our Branch, you will join a vibrant community of colleagues, with shared experiences and a wealth of knowledge, united by the common goal of making the University a better, safer, and more equitable place to work, learn, and grow. From representing individual Members to negotiating with the University’s management on our terms and conditions of employment, Unite will be your friend and your support in our workplace.

There are many benefits to joining Unite: nationally, our Union is one of the largest in the UK and Ireland, and is able to provide great services to Members, from educational opportunities to legal assistance, from will writing to health-related benefits… Our Branch has workplace representatives and officers who are trained to provide health, safety, and wellbeing support as well as confidential advice. Crucially, trade unions are in a unique position to directly escalate our Members’ concerns and suggestions to senior managers.

By joining Unite, you will be able to not only gain a line of communication with the University’s management, but also to shape our Branch and have your say on what we work on: for example, our current priorities include:

• Fair pay and urgently addressing pay gaps;
• Health and wellbeing (including mental health and safe workloads);
• A workers-led just transition and against climate change;
• A transparent, democratic University;
• Equalities, inclusion, and a positive experience for all regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disabilities, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Join our Branch, and you will be able to access brilliant benefits, meet our great Members, and have a direct impact on issues that affect University employees. If you would like to get in touch with one of our friendly Reps or Officers, please email [email protected]. Otherwise, feel free to visit our office in EC Stoner 7.53 during drop-in hours (Monday and Thursday between 10am and 12 noon, and Wednesday between 14:00 and 16:00).