Socialist Students members joined a rally marking just over a week since students occupied the Parkinson building at Leeds University, in protest at university policies in relation to the ongoing war on Gaza. Socialist Party Yorkshire regional secretary Iain Dalton was involved in the hundreds-strong occupation at Leeds Uni in 2010. He spoke to point…
Simone Buitendijk has resigned as vice-chancellor of the University of Leeds, following motions of ‘no confidence’ from all three unions on campus, Unison, Unite, and University and College Union (UCU). Since taking the role in 2020, she has overseen the largest concerted strike action at the university in memory. As part of the national strike…
Uni of Leeds – ‘what is socialism?’ The question “what is socialism?” was asked a lot. When we explained, most agreed that a mass workers’ movement is needed and that they would like to see a socialist society in the future. One international student from the US explained to me how the costs work for…
Days 40 to 42 of strike action by Unison members at University of Leeds, as part of the national pay dispute, targeted the inputting of marks at the university in the run up to the release of students results on Thursday 13th June. Iain Dalton, Leeds Socialist Party Combined with the ongoing marking and assessment…
The following is the text of the lead article of issue 2 of Leeds Socialist Party’s strike bulletin at the University of Leeds. Action works! Despite requesting the Vice-Chancellor of University of Leeds, Simone Buitendijk meet them when putting in the two week notice for beginning their all out strike on 15th June, it took…
Historic action began at University of Leeds on Thursday 15th June with UCU escalating their action to an indefinite strike action following the implementation of 100% pay deductions from university management for staff taking part in the marking and assesment boycott, whilst Unison won a second reballot for the first time and began a programme…
“Is it really that terrible?” were the words of Leeds University Vice Chancellor Simone Buitendijk to students occupying her office a month ago in response to questions about the pay and conditions of university workers. Iain Dalton, Leeds Socialist Party It was also the headline on the leaflet Unison members were handing out explaining why…
A socially distanced protest calling for global justice, aimed at the G7 meeting in Cornwall took an unexpected turn on Friday 11th June. Kevin Pattison, Vice President, Leeds Trades Council & Leeds Socialist Party As we gathered on the Parkinson Steps, the usual place for demonstrations at Leeds University, we were met by police and security…
On Saturday 13th March, in response to the brutal murder of Sarah Everard by a Metropolitan police officer, vigils took place across the country. Kat Gwyther, Leeds Socialist Party In Leeds, a crowd of over 100 people gathered outside Parkinson steps at the University of Leeds, despite the Reclaim the Night organisers moving the official…
Despite being battered over the last week with snow and chilling winds, UCU members at Leeds University are still going strong in their strike over attacks on the USS pension fund. Iain Dalton, Leeds Socialist Party Socialist Party members have visited the picket lines every day of the strike, with this Monday, the beginning of…
