Young people, especially women, may feel disconnected from Europe but they have the most to lose if Britain Brexits. Parental leave, paid holiday, limits on excessive hours and the right to maternity…Read more…
Culture of fear
Unite is warning of a “culture of fear” stalking North Sea offshore workers as the industry braces itself for more cuts. The union is deeply concerned about the health and safety of workers,…Read more…
‘Backwards vision’ Wales can’t afford
UKIP’s move into Welsh politics was facilitated by fear-mongering and empty promises “in areas that feel abandoned”, according to the campaign group, Hope Not Hate. The right wing party made…Read more…
Brexit won’t save us from #TTIP: Our own government are part of the problem
A common argument from the Vote Leave camp in the upcoming EU referendum is that Brexit could save us from the many negative impacts of the EU-US TTIP trade deal. But unfortunately there isn’t a quick way out. The truth is that outside the EU we would be facing the prospect of even worse…Read more…
Ending impunity & upholding the rule of law
Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, spoke at the Anti-Corruption Summit hosted by the British Prime Minister David Cameron on 12 May. This is what she said: This week governments put themselves in the spotlight at the UK Anti-Corruption Conference, where…Read more…
Ladbrokes: at it again
Last week Ladbrokes saw a 42% vote against its rem report. This was in response to a termination payment, and the company in turn issued a very solemn statement as part of its AGM results acknowledging the vote.
The Board notes the vote in respect of t…Read more…
Irish slavery – fact or myth?
There has been a stupid debate going on for over a year now about whether Irish slaves existed or not. Irish historian Liam Hogan has made a name for himself condemning those who talk about the Irish history of slavery. Firstly, and most importantly, H…Read more…
Use your vote to remain in Europe, UNISON urges young workers
Young people are being encouraged to vote remain on 23 June to safeguard the rights of millions of workers – and their own futures. UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis today (Friday) called on the…Read more…
Nurses have given us so much – they deserve our wholehearted support
They’re the world’s largest group of health professionals, an absolutely essential part of every health service around the world – and we celebrate them each year, on 12th May, International Nurses…Read more…
Len McCluskey On Why Unite Supports EU Remain
Uber Recognises New York Drivers – But Not Full Unionisation.
Uber the platform based ride hailing – taxi company announced an agreement with International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers to create an association for drivers in New York…Read more…
Shotton spirit
Unite steel reps from Shotton rejoiced in the community spirit that’s kept the steel town optimistic, even as the local steelworks faces uncertainty in the shadow of crisis. Schoolchildren…Read more…
Work dress codes, high heels, and patent sexism
There are so many problems with the story of Nicola Thorp, the London receptionist who was sent home by her agency, Portico, without pay because she refused to wear high heels, it’s hard to know where to begin. From a health and safety perspective, heels are bad for feet, joints and back. Sorry to…Read more…
Stobart ballot
The simmering row over Argos’ plans to transfer 96 drivers in Leicestershire to controversial haulier Eddie Stobart Ltd (ESL) has now escalated to a strike ballot of more than 400 workers at the…Read more…
Nudging in the right direction: Behavioural economics to improve workplace safety
On various occasions I have criticised the Government’s reliance on “nudge theory”. The biggest use of it in the workplace health area was the Responsibility Deal which the Government quietly closed…Read more…
Maths of the impossible
The government’s convoluted maths outlining NHS spending is beginning to unravel, as fresh revelations show the health service achieved only £1bn of its £22bn in planned efficiency savings scheduled…Read more…
Brexit bonfire of regulations would be a bonanza for worst kind of financial speculators
It’s amazing how short memories are. The way some people talk, the financial crisis happened under Queen Victoria not Elizabeth. Yet it is less than ten years since the actions of a group of irresponsible, under-regulated bankers brought the world economy to its knees. We all know that we could not…Read more…
Hollande forces change to France’s labour laws
On Tuesday, May 10, despite protests that have lasted for weeks outside the French National Assembly and on the Paris streets, France’s socialist president François Hollande forced through a bill…Read more…
Remain or Leave – trade deals still pose major threats to workers
12 May 2016
By Adrian Weir, Assistant Chief of Staff, Unite the Union
The cat is out of the bag – the publication last week of the LSE report on the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS)…Read more…
“Disciplinary or grievance hearing? It’s dangerous to go Solo…”
This is a great poster. Not sure where I found it now.
One of the worse things that I have to do as a trade union rep is to refuse representation to work colleagues who join the union too late. You cannot join knowing you have a problem and then…Read more…