Public sector workers are the backbone of society and keep essential services we often take for granted ticking over. Even though they’re invaluable to the smooth running of our country…Read more…
ONS pronounce on the future of inflation measurement, with RPI “not a good measure”
Today the National Statistician John Pullinger published advice on the ‘future of consumer inflation statistics in the UK’ (here). The trade union movement has taken a close interest in these issues and has contributed to the debate at various points. The purpose of this blog is to…Read more…
West Bank teachers strike enters fourth week
After three weeks, Palestinian teachers say “Dignity for teachers” and “We continue”…Read more…
Reporting on modern slavery risks: the union factor
Modern slavery is an international phenomenon and comes in many forms ranging from East European migrants in the UK food industry in debt to trafficking gangs, to Nepalese workers on Middle Eastern construction sites with no access to their ID documents. The UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 not only…Read more…
South Africa: the long campaign for justice for silicosis sufferers
The announcement of a settlement for 4,365 former gold miners in South Africa suffering from silicosis is welcome news. Anglo American South Africa and AngloGold Ashanti have agreed to put up to 464m…Read more…
The zero-hours nightmare is spreading: 800,000 now on zero-hours contracts.
Zero-hour contracts may be a dream for cost-cutting employers. But they are all too often a nightmare for workers. And despite widespread condemnation from politicians, they’re growing, with this year’s official statistics showing a 15% rise. 104,000 more people are now employed on zero…Read more…
NHS cash crisis reaching a turning point for the worse
We are at a turning point in the growing cash crisis of the NHS. In many areas the threat of cuts and closures could soon be a reality. The NHS cash freeze has barely increased spending in real terms since 2010 while the population has grown and costs …Read more…
UNISON manifesto launch in North Wales
Union puts the case for public services with manifesto launch in Mold
The article UNISON manifesto launch in North Wales first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Is the EU a Guarantor of Workers’ Rights?
In the autumn of 1988 Jacques Delors, the then President of the European Commission, addressed the British Trade Union Congress, promising that the Commission would be a force to require…Read more…
The Neo-Colonial Nature of the European Union As One More Reason Britain Must Leave
The current debates in the monopoly controlled media concerning the future of Britain’s membership of the EU are presented from the perspective of falsifying its essential character. The EU remains…Read more…
Stampeding the “Yes” Vote to Continue Britain’s Membership of the EU
The fact that David Cameron has had to declare that his current tour of the country in the referendum for a “Yes” vote to remain in European Union (EU) is “Project Fact” rather than “Project Fear”…Read more…
Mary Locke for Bournville, Birmingham Council Elections 2016
Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE …Read more…
Updated Unite Rulebook
Unite has now published on its web site the union rulebook as updated at the 2015 Rules Conference, along with the Executive Council guidance on various rules. The same page has the branch standards and model Standing Orders.
You can find more informa…Read more…
Children’s charity strike off
The strike over pay due to take place tomorrow (March 9) at the charity Action for Children, by members of Unite and UNISON, has been suspended. This is to allow talks to continue with…Read more…
The inequality challenge
First written in 1980, this book now covers the period from the 1830s to 2010. Sarah Burton reveals that at the advent of industrialisation much of the workforce, particularly in…Read more…
Keep the lights on
Confirmation that Npower is cutting a total of 2,400 jobs is a ‘bitter blow’ for workers and the energy sector Britain’s largest union, Unite said today (Tuesday 8 March) as it vowed to protect…Read more…
Trumbo: Stalinists as Victims
“Trumbo” is a the latest in a series of Hollywood films that looks back nostalgically at the McCarthy era, a time when the good guys were blacklisted writers accused of membership in the Communist…Read more…
The young mother penalty
Women who have children at a younger age suffer a significant pay penalty throughout their careers compared to older mothers, a new TUC analysis published today (March 8) has revealed. The TUC…Read more…
Protect Northern rail services and Northern jobs!
Rail services, jobs and passenger safety in Northern England are under threat by a new Northern Rail franchise beginning on 1 April. The TUC and rail unions’ Action for Rail campaign is calling…Read more…
A beacon of shining light
If black pioneering nurse Mary Seacole was alive today she would probably be in action on the Greek-Macedonian border or helping those trapped in the twilight hell that is the so-called ‘jungle’ in…Read more…