All the union news that's fit to blog...
Unite delegates made passionate contributions in a debate on the rise of global misogyny at policy conference on Tuesday (July 8). Unite delegate Donna McClaskey of the North West region moved the motion on the topic, noting that misogyny takes so many different forms, “both overt and subtle”. She highlighted the many rights women successfully […]
The post Rise in misogyny a ‘wake-up call’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite is calling on the local government ombudsman to investigate whether Birmingham’s government appointed commissioners have a financial conflict of interest in keeping the bin strike going. The strikes are over pay cuts of up to £8,000 impacting around 400 workers who are either former Waste Recycling Collection Officers or bin lorry drivers. At the […]
The post Commissioners obstructed a deal appeared first on Unite Live.
A shocking new report has found sexual harassment is endemic in passenger transport sector. The landmark Unite survey found four in 10 women across the sector, including bus drivers, have suffered work-related sexual assault. The survey was launched at a packed fringe meeting at this year’s Unite Policy Conference in Brighton, and highlighted how the […]
The post Law fails women workers appeared first on Unite Live.
A motion calling for clarification on the union’s policy of the creation of mental health first aiders by employers, was moved by North West’s region Martin Gleeson. However after much heartfelt debate, the motion was overturned by the conference. Martyn Gwyther, spoke on behalf of the Executive Council, “to regretfully ask you to oppose this […]
The post Mental health first aiders appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegates were queuing up to take part in a debate on extreme weather in the workplace, with contributors all having a personal story to share about their employer’s negligence in storms and heatwaves. Moving the composite on Monday (July 7) was Unite delegate Justin Clarke of the Republic of Ireland (ROI). He explained how […]
The post Extreme weather safety call appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegates spoke passionately in defence of a state pension tied to a real living wage on Monday (July 7) at Unite’s policy conference. Moving a composite on a “Living State Pension”, Unite delegate Mike McLoughlin explained how the UK state pension is grossly inadequate, citing statistics showing its value is at the bottom of […]
The post ‘Dignity in retirement’ appeared first on Unite Live.
The future of the NHS was at the top of the agenda in a debate on the first day of Unite’s policy conference on Monday (July 7). Delegates who spoke in the debate all denounced the widespread privatisation threatening the NHS very existence. They also emphasised the importance of pay restoration for NHS workers, and […]
The post Save our NHS appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite’s eighth policy conference opened on Monday (July 7) with a speech by Unite Executive Council (EC) chair Andy Green. Andy highlighted how Unite, under general secretary Sharon Graham, has refocused the union on jobs, pay and conditions. He noted how the union has established a reputation for supporting its members in dispute, and how […]
The post ‘Our wins speak for themselves’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite’s policy conference in Brighton began with a spirited debate on trade union and employment rights, with delegates expressing their anger at the Labour government’s failure to keep its promises. Unite delegate Nancy Taaffe of the London & Eastern region denounced that a Labour council is attacking bin workers in the Birmingham bin dispute. Likewise, […]
The post ‘Let’s bin anti-trade union laws’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Today we gather to honour not just Aneurin Bevan, but all those whose beliefs reshaped our nation – but it is Bevan’s vision that continues to guide our struggle for fairness and dignity. Bevan was born in 1897 in Tredegar, right here in the South Wales Valleys, into a mining family that knew hardship, poverty, […]
The post “Bevan’s fight is now our fight” appeared first on Unite Live.
A festival celebrating trade union solidarity took place in Leyton on Sunday, and Unite Community members were at the heart of it. Unions East took place in Coronation Gardens under the banner of “Celebrating solidarity in our community and our workplaces” and pulled in a big crowd. Despite the heatwave hitting the area there was […]
The post Solidarity in Leyton appeared first on Unite Live.
With thousands of people set to benefit from on-the-job training and career opportunities in the construction sector, Unite has welcomed today’s (June 26) inaugural Construction Skills Mission Board (CSMB) meeting. Unite attended and will sit on the new CSMB, also attended by government ministers and CEOs from across the sector. At the meeting an industry […]
The post Building the construction workforce appeared first on Unite Live.
Glasgow’s Subway was totally shutdown on Wednesday (June 25) – as drivers and station staff mounted the underground railway’s first strike in 20 years. Staff are in dispute with the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport over working conditions, understaffing and inadequate overtime and sick pay. After the latest offer from the employer was rejected last weekend, […]
The post Glasgow Subway workers strike appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite has launched a new mental health support package to help reps who sometimes feel they are struggling with the heavy burden of helping colleagues and fellow members. The new free package offers confidential help and advice to reps and their families from fully qualified mental health professionals, and is available 24/7 at the end […]
The post Support is just a call away appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite has welcomed the publication of Labour’s industrial strategy on Monday (June 23), which contains a key aim that Unite has long been lobbying for – reducing sky-high industrial energy costs. Unite has long been working with government and other stakeholders to tackle the issue of industrial energy costs – the prices that businesses, rather […]
The post Industrial strategy vital appeared first on Unite Live.
Staff at iconic Nottingham music venue, Rock City, are fighting for Unite recognition, and have been given support by comrades in the Musician Union. Workers at the world famous concert hall began their public campaign for union recognition earlier in June, but still have no response from Rock City owners DHP Family. Unite has now […]
The post Rockin’ Solidarity appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite members joined hundreds of people taking to the streets of Dublin on Wednesday (17 June) to protest about the appalling state of affordable housing across Ireland, and demand housing for all. With new government rules in Ireland likely to push rents even further upwards, housing completions falling well short of targets and official definitions […]
The post Raising the roof appeared first on Unite Live.
With the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing a four-day heat health alert to most of England Unite is warning workers to take care, and talk to their union reps if employers do not put in place measures to protect them from the worst of the heatwave. Temperatures are predicted to reach 32C, and the […]
The post Phew! What a scorcher! appeared first on Unite Live.
Each day throughout the holiday season, UniteLive will feature one of our twelve stories of the year. On the fourth day of Christmas, UniteLive highlights the action the union is taking to tackle the dangers of extreme weather in the workplace. As Britain braces itself for the hottest day of the year later this week, […]
The post UniteLive’s 12 days of Xmas – Storm warning appeared first on Unite Live.
In September 2018, during Storm Ali, Unite member and engineer Matthew Campbell was killed by a falling tree after being sent to work in Slieve Gullion Forest Park. In January of this year, two-thirds of Unite members who had to work outdoors during Storm Éowyn did not feel that their employer had taken all reasonable […]
The post “Climate leave” needed appeared first on Unite Live.