A dominant theme in the referendum campaign is the unwillingness of the public to listen to expert advice. The economics editor (Chris Giles) of the Financial Times despairs: “Economists have never been more united in supporting a vote to remain, yet the profession increasingly appears incapable of…Read more…
Save Chorley A&E
Unite members are leading the battle to reopen the Chorley District Hospital A&E. The A&E was closed on April 18, when Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust, which runs Chorley and…Read more…
Passengers want a properly staffed railway, not more driver-only-operated trains
“We were travelling on a Southern train from Shoreham by Sea to Southwick just after 11pm one night when the train suddenly stopped just short of Southwick. Someone had got onto the track, so the power was cut. The guards announced that the lights would be turned off to keep some power in the…Read more…
Being in the EU saved my job
With just days left before the UK makes a historic decision on June 23 – whether to leave the European Union or remain – UNITElive this week speaks to members about what being part of the EU has…Read more…
When we stand together, we thrive
As this referendum campaign draws towards a close, I think everyone can agree on two things. First, it matters. As the moment of decision looms, this will be one of the most important…Read more…
Solidarity with those killed in the Orlando massacre
James Baldwin wrote: “not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced”. We, as trade unionists, have always faced down bigotry, campaigning against…Read more…
No James Herriot idyll
The reasons why almost half the vets regularly think of leaving the profession – with nearly 10 per cent of young vets planning to leave as soon as possible – will be explored at the inaugural…Read more…
Stand and deliver!
Unite Community in Chesterfield staged on Monday (June 13) a protest outside the offices of Best Connection, one of two employment agencies that supplies Sports Direct with labour. Singing a…Read more…
‘Let’s carry on her work’
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey has offered Unite’s most sincere condolences to the family of Jo Cox, the MP who tragically lost her life in her constituency today (Thursday, June 16). …Read more…
European unions take a stand on the platform against undeclared work
Undeclared work, if not properly confronted, threatens to undermine employment, wages and conditions for workers across Europe. The launch of the European Commission’s ‘Undeclared Work Platform’ was a long overdue initiative to tackle the exploitation of workers and unfair competition for…Read more…
women’s health most at risk from long working hours, says 30-year study
Women who put in long hours for the bulk of their careers risk life-threatening illnesses, including heart disease and cancer. Work weeks that averaged 60 hours or more over three decades appear to triple the risk of diabetes, cancer, heart trouble and arthritis for women, according to new research…Read more…
Extra, extra, read all about it?
Newspaper deliveries to newsagents across the UK could be hit as staff at Menzies Distribution gear up for strike action for the first time ever over a ‘pitiful’ pay offer. Unite warned that…Read more…
‘You are welcome here’
Unite will join trade unions and social justice movements from across Britain in a “Convoy to Calais” on Saturday (June 18), to provide aid and show solidarity with desperate refugees prevented from…Read more…
For our children’s future
With less than a week left until the UK makes a historic decision on the day of the EU referendum on June 23, dozens of trade unions, including Unite, have stood together to make the case for Remain….Read more…
‘Enough is enough’
Blue chip finance companies, serviced by Capita, will be hit as nearly 1,000 life and pension workers stage a 24-hour strike today (June 16) in a dispute over ‘poverty pay’. More than 920 life…Read more…
A fragile jobs recovery – not the time for nasty shocks
The latest monthly jobs figures confirm the picture of a cyclical employment recovery that has been strong in some respects but shows worrying signs of running out of pzazz. The last thing we need right now is a vote for years of uncertainty putting a …Read more…
In solidarity
Following the Orlando massacre last week, Unite’s Executive Council has issued the statement below in solidarity with the LGBT community in Orlando and across the USA. Unite expresses…Read more…
‘Insulting’ pay inequality
Weymouth bus drivers in Dorset, fed up with being the ‘poor relations’ in the First Group ‘family’, will be going on strike for a week against ‘poverty’ wages. More than 110 drivers, based at…Read more…
Blacklisters’ public funds bonanza
Companies guilty of blacklisting workers have enjoyed a share in a £1.5bn bonanza of Scottish taxpayers’ money according to Unite. The figure is revealed as Unite Scotland prepares to present…Read more…
Don’t put UK manufacturing at risk
The country’s biggest manufacturing union Unite welcomed the interventions today (June 15) by some of the UK’s blue chip business as they seek to rally support for the UK to remain in the…Read more…