While GDP growth at the end of the year is up to 0.5% on a rising global tide, this has been a bad year.Read more…
Are we seeing the return of the full-time employee?
There are tentative signs that the long-running shift from conventional employment to self-employment is beginning to reverse.Read more…
Carillion pensions: do not trust the horse, Trojans
With the failure of Carillion, another corporate collapse leaves thousands of workers with uncertain futures and many may face reduced pensions.Read more…
Workers’ rights and social justice in Brazil: the issues at stake in Lula’s trial
On Wednesday 24 January, Brazil’s former President Lula da Silva goes on trial for alleged corruption. In fact, the trial is simply the latest attempt by Brazil’s rich and powerful elites to prevent…Read more…
Digitalisation in the energy sector is about more than smart meters – it must meet the needs of the workforce
Energy generation has had to move with and anticipate the times, from solar panels and wind technology, to smart metering. But with these changes come demand for skilled operatives, engineers and…Read more…
What government, employers and reps can do to challenge transphobia at work
Trans people still suffer high levels of hate crime, violence and discrimination in almost every settingRead more…
Insecure contracts create interlocking pressures both at work and home.
In the absence of workplace security, workers across all sectors reported upon growing pressures at work and widely testified to feelings of worthlessness, vulnerability and fear in the face of…Read more…
Casualisation leaves workers facing a difficult and uncertain labour market
Much of the employment created in the UK in recent years has been low paid and insecure, as reflected in the increasing use of zero hours contracts and the growth in gig economy jobs.Read more…
Preventing suicide – the work connection
There can be few more tragic issues that a union representative has to deal with than the suicide of a fellow worker.Read more…
To respond to Carillion’s collapse, we need a dedicated task force and a new debate on outsourcing
The collapse poses a very real threat to the jobs, pensions and livelihoods of thousands of workers in construction and support services across the public and private sector.Read more…
What are my rights if my employer goes insolvent?
Your questions answered. (Hint: as an employee you’ll still have employment protections, but if you work through an agency, are on a zero-hours or are categorised as self-employed you might lose out…Read more…
Redistribution, social insurance and fairness
Paul Johnson, director of the IFS, wishes politicians would stop talking about ‘fairness’.Read more…
Why investment in public services, skills and working conditions can restore public trust in immigration system
The Home Affairs select committee has released a report today with some good proposals for building a national consensus on immigration.Read more…
UK manufacturing output and global demand
Figures issued earlier this week showed the best manufacturing performance for some time. But will it last?Read more…
Hidden from history: how trade unions championed LGBT+ equality
Unions stood against injustice even when it was unpopular.Read more…
To boost productivity and living standards, Britain needs more automation – not less
From Babbage and Lovelace to Berners-Lee, the UK has pioneered the development of digital technology.Read more…
Real wages are still falling – so why is disposable income (just about) rising?
New ONS figures, released yesterday, show that working households’ disposable incomes have inched above the peak 2006/07 levels for the first time. But the meagre rate of increase – just 0.2 per cent…Read more…
The Customs Bill threatens UK industry and jobs
Leaving the Customs Union would mean businesses faced VAT and other tariffs on imported components and goods, and customs checks that will add to their costs and risk job losses.Read more…
Why the NUJ is backing Carrie Gracie and other women at the BBC
Equal pay in the BBC should not be just an aspiration, it’s something that the NUJ is determined to help our members secure.Read more…
Good work is good for you
In 2017 TUC Northern trained a huge 555 Health Advocates, creating a total network of well over 2000 in the northern region.Read more…