“I was attacked at work when I caught a customer stealing – they tried to strangle me.” This is the story of an Usdaw member in Northwich, and it’s not an isolated incident. Life on the frontline of…Read more…
Young worker’s Challenge #5: Weak opportunities for progression
This month we’re counting down the ten most significant challenges faced by young workers. In comparison to young employees in general, Britain’s young core workers find getting ahead at work harder….Read more…
YOUNG WORKER’S CHALLENGE #4: OVERQUALIFICATION
This month we’re counting down the ten most significant challenges faced by young workers. Number 4 is overqualification. Being rejected from a job because you are “too qualified” is a bit of a…Read more…
Turkey’s purges continues
Turkish President Erdogan’s purges of anyone he sees as a threat continues at a pace.He has recently fired a further 10,131 public employees, bringing the total number of public sector…Read more…
Why I joined the Musicians’ Union
I joined the MU because it is the largest organisation representing musicians (over 30,000) in the UK. With this large number comes a community that supports existing and new members with up to date…Read more…
Top US trade unionist responds to Trump election
Richard Trumka, President of the TUC’s equivalent in the USA, the AFLCIO, had this to say about the outcome of the 2016 Presidential election: Donald Trump has been elected president. America…Read more…
British steelworkers take #SaveOurSteel message to Brussels
Steel union members from Scunthorpe, South Wales and other parts of the UK joined over 10,000 steelworkers from all over Europe to demonstrate in Brussels today against Chinese steel dumping, ahead…Read more…
How trade unionism transformed me and my career
My family aren’t trade unionists or activists. In fact I grew up as a daughter of Indian immigrants learning that you don’t make a fuss and you accept your lot. But life has a way of…Read more…
The Great Austerity Debate: Using the power of theatre, unions and communities to explore social policy
The words “an interactive play” would strike fear into the hearts of most people. However, last Friday Unite hosted an initiative at its London and Eastern office that combined the skills of theatre…Read more…
Saving for self-reliance in Cambodia: Credit unions helping garment workers to organise
There is no minimum wage in Cambodia, despite the Labor Law requiring one to be set in the private sector through sub-decree. More than 10 years after the law was passed, this has not been done. The…Read more…
Young worker’s Challenge #3: Lack of training opportunities
This month we’re counting down the ten most significant challenges faced by young workers. If you think about it, you’d expect younger workers to get more training than older workers – after all,…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…
How many legs does a horse have, if you call its tail a leg?
Answer: Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it one! On 8 July 2015, George Osborne – then Chancellor of the Exchequer – dropped a budget speech bombshell: the introduction of a statutory…Read more…
Thai Supreme Court win for migrant rights defender Andy Hall doesn’t end legal fight
It’s great news that, overnight, Thailand’s Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the Natural Fruit Company against Andy Hall, the British born migrant and workers’ rights defender…Read more…
Young worker’s challenge #1: Low pay
This month we’re counting down the ten most significant challenges faced by young workers. We’re kicking off with low pay. It’s no surprise that younger workers are paid less than older…Read more…
As an Uber driver I’m sick and tired of losing out
Drivers won a pivotal victory in a case taken by my union, GMB against Uber that proved that they really are employees and not “partners” as the company always says. Our win is about keeping hold of…Read more…
Night working is a boom industry
Personally, I struggle with mornings. To me, the arrival of daylight savings time and an extra hour in bed is the highlight of autumn, a season that contains my birthday. As you look forward to…Read more…
As an LGBT Christian – I’m glad justice has been served in Asher’s Bakery Case
I am a trade unionist, lesbian and Christian. For me the recent ruling on the Asher’s bakery had a particular resonance. The vote on same sex marriage in the Republic of Ireland was a sea change in…Read more…
Welcome U-turn on HSE board
Last month the Government appointed an employer to represent workers on the HSE board. This totally undermined the principle of an equal voice for employers and workers that is enshrined in the…Read more…
If you can make directors liable for cold-calling, why not for killing workers?
Everyone hates cold callers, especially ones that try to get you to make claims for accidents or PPI you did not know you had. Every year the Information Commissioner gets hundreds of thousands of…Read more…