When I started this blog, a little over ten years ago, I explained why I was doing so, and said; “ I believe that this blog is entirely within UNISON Rules and I don’t intend to carry any content which attacks our Union. This is not to say that I won’t publish criticisms of policies or decisions…Read more…
Some inconsequential information
At a meeting of UNISON activists in London last week I shared with colleagues my decision not to seek an eighth term on UNISON’s National Executive Council (NEC) in the next round of elections.
I was pleased to learn that my friend and comrade, Sean Fox, the experienced and committed Secretary of…Read more…
Park Library petition – Catch 22 Swindon style
Swindon Council has refused to table Parks and East Walcot Community Forum’s petition for discussion at the November council meeting. The petition, which has more than 1,100 signatures, calls on the council to amend their proposal to include Park Library in the core provision of the new…Read more…
Defend our libraries!
Good luck to all those marching to defend our libraries today.
I won’t be amongst the lively Lambeth contingent as I am not in London, but am confident of strong support locally and nationally for this timely and important demonstration.
The Tory assault on our library services is not letting up –…Read more…
Len McCluskey On Brexit & Immigration
Britain’s exit from the European Union must deliver a migration policy that changes the UK from a ‘race-to-the bottom to a rate-for the-job country’, Len McCluskey of Unite will say today….Read more…
When Sir Alex Ferguson met UNISON’s Tom Hart
Union steward and football legend feature in Scottish government lung cancer awareness film
The article When Sir Alex Ferguson met UNISON’s Tom Hart first appeared on the UNISON National site.Read more…
The independent review of online voting for trade unions is finally happening
As someone working in digital services in trade unions, the legal ban on using online voting for union statutory ballots has always wound me up. So I’m very pleased at the news that the government are finally starting their promised independent review into online voting for unions. Sir Ken Knight,…Read more…
Welcome announcement
Caving in to pressure from all sides, including lobbying and campaigning from Unite, the UK government has finally announced today (November 4) that work on the long-awaited Type-26 frigates would…Read more…
Public oil investment call
Scotland’s biggest offshore union is calling on MSPs to back a Holyrood motion calling for public investment in the oil and gas industry. Unite is to ask every MSP to support a motion by North…Read more…
Farewell to conference
For Neil Marsden, who finally retired after one career in the police and then another in the police staff, winter is going to be about serious relaxation…
The article Farewell to conference first…Read more…
‘Shameful’
“Downplaying serious toxic fume events on board aircraft as ‘odour events’ smacks of spin and an attempt to manipulate official statistics to downplay how widespread the problem really is in the…Read more…
Transport strategy for all
“We think transport is at the heart of our communities and transport workers are at the heart of our communities”, explained Unite assistant general secretary for transport Diana Holland. …Read more…
Results against the odds
While the numbers of people illegally being paid below the minimum wage is a relatively minor phenomenon, in the West Midlands the problem is a more worrying one. That’s because it tops the…Read more…
Fujitsu Manchester strikes on Mon 7 and Tue 8 November
All employees of Fujitsu Services Limited in the Manchester bargaining unit are entitled to take part in the industrial action,…Read more…
Nursing professionals ‘more likely to experience domestic abuse’
Cavell Trust research shows importance of union’s support for members as well as campaigning and negotiation on ‘an issue for everyone’
The article Nursing professionals ‘more likely to…Read more…
‘Plane truth’ on toxic fumes plea
Unite has told British Airways to stop classifying the release of toxic fumes into plane cabins as ‘odour events’ and warned that downplaying such incidents risks masking an industry-wide problem….Read more…
IT workers strike again
Up to 300 workers at IT giant Fujitsu in Manchester will be staging a further two days of strike action next week in the continuing dispute over pay, pensions and job security. The workers,…Read more…
Young worker’s Challenge #2: Poor quality jobs
This month we’re counting down the ten most significant challenges faced by young workers. Number two is poor-quality jobs. Ever heard of the shrinking middle? No it’s not the latest weight loss fad,…Read more…
Councillor Yvonne Maxwell: Hoxton West
Fantastic news. Yvonne (aka Stroppy) has been elected! My former blogging pal and daughter of former Newham Councillor Doris Maxwell, was elected last night in a Hackney Council by-election.
Hoxton West (Hackney) result: LAB: 68.3% (+11.6) CON: 13.3% …Read more…
Fuel poverty rising
Unite says politicians need to support public ownership of energy companies if they are serious about tackling the country’s fuel poverty crisis. Yesterday (November 3) Scottish Housing…Read more…