The competitiveness of the UK steel industry is being destroyed by weak industrial demand, the strength of the pound, Chinese steel dumping and high business costs, Tata Steel Europe’s chief…Read more…
What future for steel workers?
In a few weeks’ time, hundreds of men and women could be added to the unemployment figures just in time for Christmas. The workers at Tata’s steel plants and Caparo Industries will join the…Read more…
‘Don’t hide behind EU’
UK steel workers are today (November 9) travelling to Brussels to urge business secretary Sajid Javid and his European counterparts to take urgent action to stop the dumping of cheap Chinese steel….Read more…
‘Out of the blue’
Unite will meet with construction workers at the Air Product renewable energy plant, TV2, in the Tees Valley today (November 6) after yesterday’s shock job loss announcement. Unite, which…Read more…
Hanging in the balance
The right to vote is one of the most powerful tools in a democracy. It acts as a great equaliser, enabling any citizen – whether rich or poor, black or white, male or female – to have a say in the…Read more…
Episode 19: ‘As long as we obey the law’
Sounds familiar? If you work in the hospitality industry you can join www.unitetheunion.org – if you earn less than the Living Wage (£9.15ph in London, £7.85 outside) for just £2.10 per week….Read more…
‘Once in a generation’ opportunity
MPs debating the public stake in the Royal Bank of Scotland today (November 5) must ensure the government does not throw away a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to restore trust to Britain’s banks,…Read more…
Anything but apathetic
Thousands of young people from across the country gathered in London yesterday (November 4) to protest government plans to slash maintenance grants, a move that would further shut the door on working…Read more…
Episode 18: ‘It’s the door for union members’
Sounds familiar? If you work in the hospitality industry you can join www.unitetheunion.org – if you earn less than the Living Wage (£9.15ph in London, £7.85 outside) for just £2.10 per week….Read more…
Bleeding jobs
The UK tyre industry is starting to bleed jobs and is facing many of the same problems as the steel industry, says Unite national officer Tony Devlin. He heard the news of plans to axe 860 direct…Read more…
‘Fantastic victory’
Traffic wardens in Hackney in east London have won a major victory after Unite secured them the London living wage and a proper company sick pay policy after last ditch talks to avert strike action….Read more…
Jobs and communities come first
Below Unite’s Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty makes clear the union’s policy on Trident. Luke Akehurst has got it wrong on Unite, I’m afraid. Unite’s policy on Trident is…Read more…
‘Cruel blow’ for tyre workers
Unite is seeking to reverse the devastating announcement of a Michelin tyre factory closure in Northern Ireland, which could mean the loss of nearly 900 jobs. The announcement, made…Read more…
Still a fundamental attack
On the eve of the trade union Bill’s report stage, due to take place next week (November 10), the government suddenly climbed down on some of the legislation’s key elements. Controversial…Read more…
Token move
Late yesterday (Tuesday November 3) the Department for Business insisted the controls on posting to social media – forcing people to seek police approval before posting to social media – would not be…Read more…
Episode 17: Behind closed doors…
Sounds familiar? If you work in the hospitality industry you can join www.unitetheunion.org – if you earn less than the Living Wage (£9.15ph in London, £7.85 outside) for just £2.10 per week….Read more…
‘Believe in our values’
Here is Len McCluskey’s speech he made at the Trade Union Bill rally and lobby of parliament, November 2. The Unite general secretary urged the packed rally to, “Stay solid together and…Read more…
‘Pitiful’ pay offer
Last ditch talks to avoid an escalating pay dispute at the UK’s largest crane hire company, Ainscough, are set to take place this Thursday (November 5) after members of Unite rejected a ‘pitiful’ two…Read more…
The productivity challenge
Earlier this week I participated in an ACAS seminar on building productivity in the UK. I have written previously on the so-called ‘productivity puzzle’ and the critical importance of investment,…Read more…
One in four workers
For the third year in a row, the number of people earning below the Living Wage (LW) has increased, now standing at a record 6m – nearly one in four workers. The news comes as the Living Wage…Read more…