You should always be in a union. If something goes wrong we support each other, because it's often hard to defend yourself well because you're too involved. For an extreme example, this man got fined by an employment tribunal after taking a case there.
peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/186915…

A brilliant bumper edition of the LeedsUCU podcast is out. Over tomorrow's breakfast, listen to Dr Aisha Walker 🇪🇺 #BeTheUnion #EnoughIsEnough, Emily Haikney and Laura Loyola talk with Rachel & mralanjohnsmith about the latest branch news for members of the UCU University of Leeds branch. 1/3

I don't support the smoking ban by age. I find it ludicrous that it will one day be unlawful to sell tobacco to a 35 year old but lawful to sell it to the 36 year old.
To me the emphasis on all drugs should be regulating safety such as regularised purity to reduce deaths, (1/3

Microsoft Office wants to help your manager drag you into the office. We see whose side you're on, Office!

My guess is Liz Truss doesn't believe a word of this but loves how much money the far right has in the USA

We can no longer assume the USA will defend counties against the Russian dictatorship because so many USA Republicans are under the sway of Russian state propaganda.

(Noting also that the union isn't making money from your case so has no interest in telling you it's a great case and just keep going, as this man's lawyers perhaps did to his detriment.)

I'm really pleased with this edition of the 'LeedsUCU' podcast. We're getting much better at the sound quality, my son had a first go at making theme music, and we're getting more confident at it (although I still say 'er' and hesitate a lot).

It concerns me EU and UK haven't mobilised to create enough weaponry for Ukraine without having to rely on the USA. What were we planning for if we end up at war with Russia? Were we relying on USA & that nuclear stand-off would Russia from trying non-nuclear invasions?

regulating sale to properly trained people who can, for some drugs, deliver health advice and support, in appropriate environments for the relative harm of the drug (Beer? Bar. Heroin? Limited to special clinic.) Health support paid for by taxation of the sales. (2/3

'Man is suspicious of change'

Have we got a new name for podcasts yet? I haven't seen anyone with an iPod this decade.

Adding: am I saying everyone should smoke and take drugs? No. I'm saying criminalising it doesn't stop it, it just makes people feel that they've Done Something. And there's actually more useful stuff they could do. (4/3

Criminalising drugs (including alcohol and tobacco) doesn't stop the supply or use, it just creates a profit-making criminal industry that doesn't pay taxes to fund the necessary public health work. And it turns people into criminals. And puts them at greater risk of harm. (3/3

A few months ago I unmuted the town Facebook group (which I muted for the good of my mental health). Now I'm in a row with people who think CCTV of a child stealing £20 from a church should be posted for the whole town to name and shame them. I may need mute it again.

It is incredible to me that, the USA, once the driving force of NATO, is now turning its back to let Russia expand its empire again.
I hadn't expected the USA far right's love of Putin's fascist Russia.

This seems a fair point

Seems Wes Streeting is still begging Labour members to criticise him for wanting more private sector contracting in the NHS. He actively wants the controversy of being 'tough choices' (over 'good choices'), even though there's a general election coming up.
theguardian.com/politics/2024/…

If I was a candidate I wouldn't want this. I wouldn't want someone baiting Labour party members to criticise our offer at the general election. So if I was a candidate I would be writing to Keir Starmer asking him to shut Wes Streeting up or sack him.