The Tories’ latest right-to-buy housing scheme will spell disaster for London’s already beleaguered housing market. A key part of the Conservative manifesto, extending right-to-buy to housing…Read more…
EU: why Labour has to say yes
With a majority Conservative government that is slim and therefore vulnerable, and a government programme that a Guardian editorial this week described as ‘rag bag’, members in both Houses will be…Read more…
Racism and bullying revealed
Allegations of sexual abuse in the Methodist Church – and now racism and bullying could also be rife, Unite revealed today (May 28). Unite, which includes the 2,500-strong faith workers’…Read more…
The seven deadly bills
The Tories may have run a vague and convoluted election campaign, but now that they’re in with a wafer-thin majority, prime minister David Cameron laid out his policy plans yesterday (May 28) , as…Read more…
Bash, slash, cut and freeze
Bash the unions, slash welfare spending, cut benefits for the young, freeze in-work benefits and add a generous helping of deep austerity cuts. The Queen’s Speech shows the Tories are nasty again….Read more…
Tory ‘toothless’ hours law
A key coalition government measure came into force on Tuesday (May 26) – the banning of exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts. Now, employers cannot block workers who are on the…Read more…
Hanging in the balance
The future of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) hangs in the balance as the new Scottish government look at the option of scrapping it yet again in a consultation set to close at the end…Read more…
People are not your priority, Mr Cameron
Commenting on today’s Queen’s Speech, Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey said, “Given the profound challenges facing this nation, it is staggering that a priority for this government is…Read more…
Fighting the battle of ideas
Richard Angell recalls the moves a couple of years ago to have Progress, the organisation he directs, excluded from the Labour Party. Ungenerously, he omits to record that Len McCluskey spoke…Read more…
Feeding the meter
More than half a million people struggling with debt have forcibly had prepay gas and electricity meters installed by their energy suppliers, a BBC investigation has found. Figures reveal that…Read more…
Housing sell off: ‘sheer stupidity’
David Cameron has confirmed that his right to buy extension to all housing association homes will now be part of the Queen’s Speech tomorrow (Wednesday May 27). The scheme, in effect, is…Read more…
A room at The View
As Unite’s The View Hotel in Eastbourne completes major renovations—from its state-of-the-art conference facilities to a brand new restaurant and a new online booking service – your next summer…Read more…
If not now, when?
As talks between steel giant Tata and unions broke down over changes to members’ pensions scheme, Tata electrician Charlotte Upton, 25, spoke to UniteLive about the upcoming industrial action ballot…Read more…
Practice what you preach
The Church of Scotland is being urged to think again before ratifying a report which would break official links with Unite at its General Assembly in Edinburgh today (May 22). The Central…Read more…
Austerity doesn’t work
Earlier this week, the internationally renowned political scientist and author on world debt Susan George, addressed, the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) conference. Ahead of the…Read more…
UK poverty hits millions
The stark situation for many millions of Britons facing poverty has been outlined by new data from the office for national statistics (ONS). Staggeringly under the last Tory-led government…Read more…
Live from the Tata talks
Just as the Tata talks ended yesterday (May 22) UNITElive reporter Rae Passfield spoke with Unite national officer for steel Paul Reuter about the latest on the proposed changes to Tata Steel…Read more…
This flagrant disregard
Reps from unions including Unite, the GMB, and Community left a meeting with Tata Steel company representatives yesterday (May 21) bitterly disappointed. In a joint statement, the unions said…Read more…
Worst paid job in UK
Waiting tables is, according to the latest figures, the worst paid job in the UK. The vast majority of waiters are on the minimum wage, barely eking out a living from profit-flush companies,…Read more…
‘Pinchers Express’
On National Waiters’ Day (May 21) Unite hospitality members held a protest outside Pizza Express’ flagship restaurant in Charing Cross Road, Leicester Square. Six years ago…Read more…