To mark International Human Rights Day today, 10 December, the TUC has joined 109 other civil society organisations from around the world to call on the government of Thailand to stop businesses…Read more…
Nicaragua dances to South Korean tune as union protest is criminalised
Nicaragua’s good recent reputation on union freedom and workers’ rights has taken a massive blow as twelve workers, including young union activists, face gaol after riot police stormed their protest…Read more…
‘Tis the season… for the work Christmas party
For many of us, the annual Christmas party is a highlight of the work social calendar. A chance to pop on a little black dress or dust off our dancing shoes. A chance to catch up with colleagues – or…Read more…
A bargaining win for disabled workers is what unions continue to fight for
To mark Disability History Month I thought this would be a good time to share the great progress unions have made on disability issues. Community have negotiated an adult apprenticeship agreement and…Read more…
Small claims changes – another attack on workers’ rights
The Government are planning to change the rules for compensation claims that would make it much more difficult for workers to get the money they are entitled to when their employer’s negligence…Read more…
Should Brexit be left to politicians and mandarins?
The online media platform reporting on EU matters, euractiv.com, has published a list of the 50 most influential people in the Brexit debate. Angela Merkel tied with Theresa May for top spot, which…Read more…
WAD – trade unions organising to smash the stigma of HIV and AIDS
The stigma that still surrounds HIV and AIDS is the key barrier stopping people getting tested and allows this epidemic to flourish. World AIDS Day gives us an important opportunity to try and smash…Read more…
YOUNG WORKER’S CHALLENGE #10: NO VOICE IN THE WORKPLACE
This month we’re counting down the ten most significant challenges faced by young workers. The final of our series is voice in the workplace. As TUC Young Worker’s Month ends, we reflect on what…Read more…
Korean unions fight back
As I noted in my blog in July South Korea’s trade unions have been subject to a sustained attack . Under President Park, trade unionists are being sent to prison for carrying out normal trade…Read more…
Young worker’s Challenge #9: Pressure on working parents
This month we’re counting down the ten most significant challenges faced by young workers. Being in low paid, insecure work with limited opportunities for progression is pretty tough. Having a child…Read more…
YOUNG WORKER’S CHALLENGE #8: BULLYING AND HARASSMENT
This month we’re counting down the ten most significant challenges faced by young workers. Today’s is bullying and harassment. There’s no concept I hate more than ’banter’. For me, ‘banter’…Read more…
The role of unions in challenging violence against women – #IDEVAW 2016
25 November marks the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the European Trades Union Confederation (ETUC) is marking the day by launching a new report mapping union initiatives in…Read more…
10 barriers autistic workers face and how to overcome them
Most autistic people want to work, but often encounter difficulties in the workplace which employers can address better. Author and workplace trade union representative Janine Booth, who is on the…Read more…
5 tips for union reps to support disabled workers
I have been a trade union rep for almost a decade and am now the policy officer for disability equality at the TUC. I have also had reasonable adjustments myself. Disability History Month (#UKDHM) is…Read more…
Young worker’s Challenge #7: Precarious working conditions
This month we’re counting down the ten most significant challenges faced by young workers. Young people’s experience of work is increasingly dominated by precarious working conditions. It might be…Read more…
ACT NOW! Freedom for Iranian teacher union leader Esmail Abdi
The international trade union movement continues to deplore the actions of the Iranian government in its heavy handed stance of imprisoning trade unionists on unjust, trumped up charges. One such…Read more…
From gender reassignment to trade union activist – my story
Unions: not them; us. “Think not what your union can do for you but what you can do for your union.” Actually when I went through gender reassignment, my thoughts were very much with what my union…Read more…
Why the ‘National Living Wage’ is bad for Britain’s Young Workers
On the 1st April 2016 the Government brought in the ‘National Living Wage’ – essentially a slight increase on the national minimum wage, with a different name. Employers must now pay workers at least…Read more…
Unions push Qatar’s door open as they secure hard-fought deal with World Cup 2022 Committee
The TUC has welcomed the signing of an MOU between Qatar’s Supreme Committee for the 2022 World Cup and the global construction union BWI. The deal, which will allow access for the BWI to inspect…Read more…
Young Worker’s Challenge #6: Underemployment
This month we’re counting down the ten most significant challenges faced by young workers. Today is underemployment. We all know that the traditional ‘9 to 5’ working day no longer exists for a large…Read more…