Dear comrades,
Happy new year! We hope January is being kind to you so far.
We’re back with a bumper new year’s newsletter – including strike updates, AGM info and upcoming events to look forward to.
📣 Strike update
As most in the branch are aware, we got a resounding mandate in the strike ballot at the end of last year. Many thanks to all members who fed into our strategy and suggested ideas and impactful days.
Last week we met nationally with other striking branches to identify mutual days for national action. Our branch committee voted to take part in the first five days of national action on:
Tuesday 10th February
Wednesday 11th February
Thursday 12th February
Tuesday 10th March
Wednesday 11th March
The February dates coincide with graduation and workplace day of action for Palestine, and one of the March dates coincides with PG open day – this will have great impact.
Please note that these dates are pending approval from Unison’s national Industrial Action Committee. We will be in touch soon with confirmation of these dates and further information.
Read more on our strike information page.
✊ Need a new year’s resolution? Get involved with our branch!
This year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Tuesday 24 February from 1 p.m. (in-person, with refreshments!), with business kicking off at 1.45pm.
The AGM is your chance to get more involved in your union by becoming a branch activist.
Please book the time in your calendar as unfortunately we cannot send a calendar invite this time. You are entitled to time off from your role to attend! If you experience any issues with this, email us at unison-office@bristol.ac.uk.
More info: 2026 AGM – University of Bristol UNISON
🌱 Unison’s Year of Green Activity
2026 is Unison’s Year of Green Activity (or YOGA – isn’t that a wonderful acronym).
Our environmental officer Lucie has written a little bit about how you can be greener at work and beyond:
Message from Your Environmental Officer – Year of Green Activity 🌱 – University of Bristol UNISON.
🎉 Unison’s new general secretary
Unison’s new general secretary is socialist social worker Andrea Egan.
Andrea’s win is a win for us; our branch committee is confident this marks a huge step forward in our fight as a Higher Education UNISON branch.
Read more about how this affects us: A Win for Higher Education & The Left – Our new Gen Sec – University of Bristol UNISON
🚂 Dispatches from York & Brighton
Last year some of our branch committee travelled to York and Brighton to attend Unison’s HE & FE seminar and Unison’s young members conference.
These events left us feeling inspired and confident in our current work as a branch.
Dispatches from York – University of Bristol UNISON
Dispatches from Brighton – University of Bristol UNISON
🗓️ Upcoming union training
Here are some upcoming events from Unison central that may be of interest. Please note that our branch pays for any conference travel/accommodation costs.
See Unison’s full event calendar: Events Archive – UNISON National
Young Member Learning – How does my union work?, 29 January, 6:00pm–8:00pm, Online via Teams
We share your woes that union bureaucracy is CONFUSING! Learn how Unison democracy works, what conferences do, and how you can get more involved.
The Organising Steward 2026 ( Bristol), 27 January – 3 March, Vintry Building, Wine Street, Bristol BS1 2BD
The Organising Steward 2026 (Online), 29 January – 5 March 2026, Online via Teams
Stewarding trains you to take on casework for individual members, supporting them through processes like grievances and disciplinaries. This role is extremely rewarding and allows you to make a real, tangible difference for your colleagues.
The course happens over five full Tuesdays, and you should be granted time off to attend. For more information and to book, please contact co-branch sec Alex: alex.kidd@bristol.ac.uk
Workers Against the Far Right SUTR & TUC Organising Conference, 21 February, 11 am to 4:30 pm, London
For trade unionists and all those in a workplace to come together in workshops, plenaries and training and education sessions to organise, share experiences and educate ourselves. To discuss how to challenge toxic, racist and divisive narratives.
UNISON Year of Green Activity – Climate change & women, 10 March, 12:30pm–1:30pm, Online via Teams
Climate change is not gender-neutral. Around the world, and here in the UK, women are disproportionately affected by its impacts – join us for an insightful discussion with expert speakers as we examine the challenges and opportunities for action.
Upcoming solidarity events
The fight for a free Palestine continues – join us in London to march on Saturday 31 Jan.
Bristol & Weston coach tickets via Headfirst – https://hdfst.uk/e144755
