All the union news that's fit to blog...
Even as production costs fall, staggeringly high inflation continues unabated, in large part driven by skyrocketing prices of the one thing everyone needs – food. Research by consumer group Which? found that in April, own-brand budget items at the UK’s largest supermarkets jumped by as much as 25 per cent in only a month, hitting […]
The post Going hungry in the food factory appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite policy conference held a spirited debate on Wednesday (July 12) about mental health support for Unite reps and activists, which conference agreed was an absolute necessity. Unite delegate Tom Queen (pictured above) moved the composite, highlighting a key part of the motions’ demand – counselling for reps as and when needed, paid for by […]
The post ‘Solidarity isn’t just at the gate’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegate Stéf Kasprowski gave a stirring speech as she moved a motion on sexual harassment in the workplace at Unite policy conference on Thursday (July 13). She began by highlighting the numbers of people who say they have experienced sexual harassment at work have increased dramatically to three in five women, and 7 out […]
The post ‘Zero tolerance of sexual harassment – end of’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Following Labour leader Keir Starmer’s address to Unite’s policy conference on Thursday (July 13), Unite delegates asked Starmer pointed questions about what a future Labour government would do in power. Unite delegate Steve Surtees (pictured above), a steelworker at Port Talbot, challenged Starmer to outline in detail what he would do as a future prime […]
The post ‘Together we can do this’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Labour leader Keir Starmer addressed Unite delegates on Wednesday afternoon saying, “It’s a real privilege to address you at such a pivotal moment in our country.” He thanked the Unite executive and Sharon Graham, “the first female general secretary of Britain’s biggest private sector union.” He said that he knew from their regular meetings that, […]
The post ‘A Britain with its future back’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Every day over the Christmas period, UniteLive is running a different story from our top stories of 2023. Today, we look back at Unite general secretary Sharon Graham’s barnstorming speech at Unite’s Policy Conference in July. — Wednesday morning’s conference highlight was always going to be Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary’s keynote speech. The hall […]
The post UniteLive stories of the year – ‘This is what a winning union looks like’ appeared first on Unite Live.
News that the High Court has quashed the Government’s decision to allow agencies to supply agency workers to employers to undermine legal strike action was today (July 13) hailed by Unite as a “total vindication”. Following the Government’s decision to reverse the ban on employers hiring agency workers during strike action in July 2022, a […]
The post Agency workers verdict ‘total vindication’ for unions appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegates held a passionate debate about the necessity of workers’ rights to adequate sanitary facilities on the second day of policy conference on Wednesday (July 12). Unite delegate Tracie Clugston (pictured above), who seconded a composite, spoke of her experience as a female bus driver, and said that it was “so frustrating” that in […]
The post The right to dignity appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite policy conference engaged in a wide-ranging debate with many speakers about how automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are already having a huge impact on the workplace – an impact that will only deepen in the months and years to come. Unite delegate Wayne Morgan (pictured above) moved the composite of motions, while Unite delegate […]
The post The future world of work is now appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegates agreed a motion on the second day of conference on Wednesday (July 12) to promote the idea of ‘sourcing, buying, and manufacturing locally’. The motion was moved by Unite delegate Mick Joyce (pictured main) and delegate Steve Phillips seconded the motion (pictured below). They highlighted that if companies, organisations and governments at all […]
The post Sourced, bought and manufactured locally appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegate Paul Maullin moved a motion on the future of manufacturing, which included a debate on Brexit, new technology and collective bargaining on the second day of policy conference on Wednesday (July 12). Conference agreed that manufacturing is facing parallel crises, from the ongoing disruption of Brexit to the transition to low carbon industries. […]
The post Future of manufacturing appeared first on Unite Live.
Composite 2 on co-ordination of industrial action was moved Northern Ireland Hospitality Branch delegate Chris Stewart (pictured above) on the effectiveness of how taking action at the same time can make a massive difference. He said, “With the upsurge in industrial action following attacks on wages, there is an immense power working class people have.” […]
The post Taking industrial action appeared first on Unite Live.
‘Raising pay for everyone’ was a motion submitted by agricultural branch Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and moved by Davorin Dobrovic. Davorin referred to TUC’s plan ‘Raising Pay for Everyone’ which centres around a plan for a high wage economy and a £15 minimum wage. The motion also called on conference to call on the TUC […]
The post Raising pay for everyone appeared first on Unite Live.
On the first day of Unite’s policy conference on Tuesday (July 11), Unite delegate Cecile Wright of the Unite Nottinghamshire NHS branch in the East Midlands moved a motion on rebuilding and protecting the NHS. Delegates noted the difficulty patients now have in getting GP appointments, dental care and emergency or elective hospital care, as […]
The post Rebuild and protect the NHS appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegates put forward a series of motions at Unite Policy conference on Tuesday (July 11) as part of a wider strategy to fight back against Tory trade union laws, including the government’s most recent Strikes (Minimum Services) Bill, which is set to become law in a matter of weeks. One of the delegates moving […]
The post ‘Now more than ever we need solidarity’ appeared first on Unite Live.
On the first day of Unite’s policy conference on Tuesday (July 11) Unite delegate Heather Gilfillan from Scotland highlighted the importance of public services as she moved a motion on a public services minimum wage of £15 an hour. Heather told conference of media reports every day showing public services on its knees, facing massive […]
The post Public services minimum wage call appeared first on Unite Live.
The new chair of Unite’s Executive Council (EC) Andy Green opened Unite’s Policy Conference on Tuesday (July 11). Andy paid tribute to the outgoing EC chair Tony Woodhouse, as he highlighted the major issues facing Unite members now, including the cost of living crisis, profiteering, and Tory anti-trade union laws hindering the fundamental right to […]
The post ‘Commitment, passion and respect’ appeared first on Unite Live.
After a passionate and good-tempered debate at Unite’s rules conference on Monday (July 10), Unite delegates overwhelmingly voted to reject proposals that would have resulted in the union disaffiliating from the Labour Party. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham spoke in support of an Executive Council (EC) statement, which called on Unite to maintain its affiliation, […]
The post ‘Now cannot be the time to walk away’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite Rules Conference 2023 opened its door to Unite reps in Brighton on Sunday, July 9. The conference lasted until the following day and covered a range of issues, including rule changes on health and safety, membership contributions and benefits, young members, election of EC members, funds, equalities issues, inclusivity issues and the accountable representation […]
The post Changing the rules… appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham met with various groups of delegates on the last day of the union’s rules conference in Brighton. See highlights in our photo gallery below.
Sharon with the South West region