25 May 2017
By Gregor Gall, Professor of Industrial Relations, the University of Bradford
The Conservative Party manifesto was launched last Thursday, 18 May. In the first section, entitled ‘A…Read more…
The ‘curse of knowledge’ and what to do about it
Dear Colleagues,
I am in the process of writing-up my doctoral thesis and have taught myself two valuable lessons, primarily as a result of (a) nor being able to maintain a schedule of output and (b) feeling that my writing just isn’t good enough. Wha…Read more…
As real wages fall, household debt is set to reach record highs
This year, household debt is set to be higher than ever before. TUC analysis finds that unsecured debt per household is set to reach £13,900 in 2017. In 2016, unsecured debt per household was already £13,200 – higher than at any other point since the financial crisis and only marginally below…Read more…
Re-elected to UNISON NEC for a 4th term
I was really pleased to get confirmation on Tuesday that I had been re-elected unopposed as the UNISON Community representative on our National Executive Council (General seat) for a 4th two year term of office.
I did think that I had an opponent agai…Read more…
UNISON’s leadership is losing its grip on the National Executive Council
After seven times winning a seat on the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC) against right-wing opposition I chose not to stand in the elections, the results of which were declared yesterday. As I have already observed, I am very happy to stand down undefeated and get on with life – and I am…Read more…
What were the four recommendations to UNISON from the (Assistant) Certification Officer?
The decision of the (Assistant) Certification Officer, issued now online following a lengthy hearing, and including considerable criticism of some conduct associated with the last UNISON General Secretary election (and a declaration that UNISON breache…Read more…
UNISON Certification Officer decision published in full
The decision of the (Assistant) Certification Officer in the recent case involving the UNISON General Secretary election is now available online.
Diligent readers can now decide for yourselves whether my earlier assessment of the implications of the ru…Read more…
What should the political parties be offering whistleblowers at work?
24 May 2017
Dave Lewis, Professor of Employment Law, Middlesex University
Dave Lewis, Professor Employment Law at Middlesex University and a whistleblowing expert looks at what is needed to…Read more…
U.S. Steel Faces Historic Necessity for Change
– K.C. Adams – Ruling oligarchy blocks resolution of economic problems and continues on failed path U.S. Steel considers the amount it does not spend on renewing its productive force as…Read more…
Manchester Bombing – We stand together
Last night I was just about to go to bed when I saw a “breaking news” email on my IPAD about a bombing in Manchester. I spent the next 30 minutes or so on the BBC news website. Then feeling pretty helpless, I went to bed pretty sick and ashamed that fe…Read more…
‘Totally useless measure’
Unite has slammed suggestions that nearly a million zero-hour contract workers be given the “right to request” fixed hours as “useless”. Responding to reports that a government inquiry will…Read more…
Improving Enforcement of Workers’ Rights
23 May 2017
By Michael Ford, Professor Law at University of Bristol and QC at Old Square Chambers
Both the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats have included in their Manifestos a promise to scrap…Read more…
The UNISON NEC results – in London and beyond
The results of the UNISON NEC elections are out.
I am particularly pleased that Sean Fox has won the seat which I have held for the past fourteen years in the Greater London Region, and that my comrades Sonya Howard and Helen Davies have held their sea…Read more…
NEC 2017-2019: election results
Members will take office at the end of national delegate conference until the end of the 2019 NDC
The article NEC 2017-2019: election results first appeared on the UNISON National site.Read more…
UNISON response to Manchester Arena atrocity
Responding to the terror attack at Manchester Arena, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “This was a despicable act designed to cause maximum pain and suffering. It’s barbaric beyond words…Read more…
Solidarity with Manchester – hatred will never triumph
We pay tribute to the staff who worked throughout the night to save lives, to those who rushed into work when they heard news of the attack and to those who will continue to put Manchester back…Read more…
Finnish Unions Create New Industrial Union
Three Finnish trade unions have come together to create a new union – the Finnish Industrial Union. The merger was initially repoerted on this site in December 2016. The industrial and general…Read more…
Keeping workplace pensions working: responding to the government consultation on defined benefit pensions
While the General Election takes centre stage, within Whitehall a process is quietly going on that could affect the living standards of upwards of 11 million people. Last week, a government consultation on the future of defined benefit (DB) pensions – the type that pay an income based on our salary…Read more…
“Rule Book Rogers” demonised and exposed?
Regular readers of this blog (Sid and Doris National Secretary) will be aware that I am the very soul of modesty and am self-effacing almost to the point of vanishing.
It is therefore very difficult for me to have to share with you certain extracts fro…Read more…
The implications of the Certification Officer decision in UNISON’s Greater London Region
UNISON has commented on the outcome of the various complaints made to the Certification Officer by several complainants (including your blogger).
The Union welcomes the decision of the ACO (Assistant Certification Officer) to “uphold the result of the 2015 general secretary election and reject the…Read more…