All the union news that's fit to blog...
#stuc15 The STUC was uncompromising in its backing for a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel until it ends its violations of international law and Palestinian human rights.
Delegates condemned the terrible Israeli assaults on Gaza over the Summer of 2014 which left thousands of Palestinian civilians dead and many more injured and homeless, many of them children.
Sam McCartney, Chair of UNISONRead more…
#stuc15 “Ensuring that an organisation reflects the community which it serves is clear proof of its commitment to equality and inclusion,” UNISON’s Priscilla Maramba told delegates, as they backed a CWU motion calling for a review of trade union activists and officials and action to ensure they are reflective of proportionality.
Priscilla added that the greater the equality of representation,Read more…
#stuc15 The STUC sent solidarity and support to the people of Rojava and Kobane and pledged to lobby the Government to do everything it can to ensure that humanitarian aid gets through to Rojava, to support the refugees from other parts of Syria and to ensure that Kobane can defend itself and its people.
UNISON Scotland’s Depute Convener, Stephen Smellie “was privileged to visit North Kurdistan,Read more…
Review of Securing a pay rise: the path back to shared wage growth, Edited by Gavin Kelly and Conor D’Arcy, The Resolution Foundation This collection of essays is a very valuable overview of progressive opinion on the earnings crisis, a must read for those engaged in any aspects of the debate. Some…Read more…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32406128I doubt any readers of this blog would be daft enough to believe that Nick Clegg’s promise to end real term pay cuts in the public sector can be relied upon any more than his promise on tuition fees five …Read more…
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey has called for a full public inquiry into the safety of air breathed aboard airliners following the death of a cabin crew member and a pilot. Unite member…Read more…
Check out this completely neutral, unbiased and extremely scientific flow chart on how to decide whether or not you should vote Tory. Read more…
SIPTU represents approximately 280 workers in Ladbrookes Ireland.Read more…
#stuc15 First time delegate and speaker, UNISON’s Priscilla Maramba, told Congress that ConDem austerity has worsened the plight of BME workers, and the rise of UKIP and media bias have added insult to injury.
“Equality for BME workers is slowly slipping down the slope and the only hope for BME workers lies in support from their unions.”
Her comments came as delegates backed a campaign toRead more…
Thousands of public transport users in Bradford and Belfast face travel chaos as First West Yorkshire drivers take 48-hour strike action and Ulsterbus, Metro and NI Rail services confirm a second…Read more…
Mark Perryman introduces a night out to mark 70 years on from 1945’s Days of HopeRead more…
Conservative leader David Cameron boasts of getting rid of 20,000 NHS ‘bureaucrats’ and putting that money into more doctors and nurses. But does his claim that there are now 7,000 more nurses…Read more…
#stuc15 UNISON NEC member Jane Carolan reminded the STUC in Ayr today about the need for an international response to the TTIP “assault on democratic government”.
A composite from four unions and…Read more…
Cameron’s welfare system is already abundant with human tragedies and shocking tales of the cruel treatment that people on benefits have faced. Yet it is common knowledge that the Tories will…Read more…
#stuc15 The STUC in Ayr heard a stark warning from UNISON’s Jane Carolan that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) would be “an assault on democratic government”.
TTIP means that public services will face wholesale privatisation, over-ruling any state’s laws or policies through secretive tribunals. Worse still, any service privatised will not be able to be brought back inRead more…
#stuc15 Delegates backed a Fife TUC call to oppose fracking and underground coal gasification (UCG) until their potential impact on local communities and the environment is fully investigated and understood. Instead, the STUC will lobby for the development of sustainable energy including investment in renewables and lower carbon emissions.
This mirrors UNISON’s precautionary approach with regardRead more…
#stuc15 The STUC will work with NGOs and trade unions internationally to press for a Just Transition as part of a binding international deal at the UN Conference on Climate Change due to be held this year in Paris, which is “critical for the future of the planet.”
UNISON’s Pat Rowland told delegates that a Just Transition will ensure that the costs and benefits of switching to a low carbonRead more…
GMB members on strike in long-running dispute over jobs and contractual changesRead more…
#stuc15 UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis took time out at the STUC conference today to visit the Kurdistan Solidarity stall along with Depute Convenor, Stephen Smellie. Dave expressed his solidarity with the efforts to re-build Kobane and the continuing struggle against ISIS.Read more…
A new report has revealed that demand for food banks has soared – thanks to low pay and zero-hours contracts. The TUC study says a record number of families are existing on emergency food…Read more…