Unite today announced (Friday January 22) it is joining forces with European counterparts in a bid to save former Alstom workers from redundancy – in the wake of the recent General Electric (GE)…Read more…
‘National scandal’
As it couldn’t get any worse for beleaguered steelworkers, today’s (January 22) Mirror front page reports that the government could be considering building new Royal Navy warships with cheap imported…Read more…
Act of sheer brutality
Thirty years ago this Sunday (January 24) Rupert Murdoch made his move to Wapping – sacking 5,500 print workers employed on his newspapers overnight. It was an act of sheer brutality…Read more…
Steel: job losses make grim news
The UK steel industry workforce faced one of its worst blows yesterday (January 18) as steel giant Tata announced the loss of just over 1,000 jobs, the majority of which will be axed at the…Read more…
Don’t hold our jobs to ‘ransom’
Ballymena, Co Antrim and Hollywood. Worlds apart you might think. But such is the threat to jobs and the community that Ballymena-born award winning actor Liam Neeson has joined with Unite to fight…Read more…
A workforce dehumanised
When the SSI steel works in Redcar closed in October the 2,200 skilled workers that lost their jobs knew things were going to be tough. Redcar, Middlesborough and all of the surrounding towns…Read more…
‘Step aside’ call
The Post Office is to transfer another 39 Crown Offices to private companies like WH Smith and to close a further three branches. Branches in Shaftesbury Square in Belfast, Antrim in Northern…Read more…
‘Right that wrong’ now plea
Sheffield has been known as the ‘City of Steel’ since the 19th century when innovations like crucible and stainless steels were developed there. Today Sheffield Forgemasters is one of the last…Read more…
Ministers: act to save our steel plea
The UK government’s failure to act swiftly and decisively to support the British industry is leaving it on the verge of wipe out. Tata Steel’s latest announcement to axe a further 1,050 jobs takes…Read more…
Intolerable pressure
A new survey shows that GPs are under ever increasing pressure as patients report waiting more than a week for appointments. Last year patients waited over a week to see their GP on more than…Read more…
Speaking out for Scotland
Unite Scotland held its first ever policy conference last weekend (January 16/17) as the union deepens its commitment to its members and their communities to provide distinctive solutions for their…Read more…
Bellies full of hope
Salisbury isn’t necessarily a community you’d think is plagued by homelessness but that’s because it’s often invisible. Look beyond the town’s picturesque veneer and you’ll find many people down on…Read more…
‘Tyrants fall at every foe’
Unity was at the heart of Unite general secretary Len McCluskey’s speech to Unite Scottish delegates at the first ever Scottish policy conference held in Glasgow on January 16 and 17. Len said…Read more…
Elderly face housing axe
A Gloucestershire district council has been urged to come clean about the future of its sheltered housing accommodation as the current uncertainty is causing ‘a climate of fear’ for elderly…Read more…
‘Fight for survival’
The UK steel workforce faced one of its worst blows today (January 18) as steel giant Tata announced the loss of just over 1,000 jobs, the majority of which will be axed at the steelworks in Port…Read more…
‘Night tube’ strikes suspended
Unite has suspended three days of strike action in the ‘work/life’ balance dispute over the introduction of the ‘night tube’ on London Underground, so that further talks could take place. The…Read more…
Big Boss becomes Big Brother
Bosses can now spy on their workers’ electronic communications, following a landmark decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Wednesday (January 13). Any form of communication…Read more…
A levy too far?
Unite is hoping that government plans to create three million apprenticeships in the coming years will lead to a new generation of youngsters being told: You’re hired. But the Chancellor’s…Read more…
Greatest bar to building is…?
Housebuilding in the UK will be severely hampered by skills shortages in the construction industry, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Construction professionals…Read more…
Bulldozing homes, bulldozing lives
The Tory war on council and social housing has taken a sinister twist this week with Prime Minister David Cameron backing proposals to bulldoze entire council estates. Those evicted will not be…Read more…