Today’s labour market figures presented yet another iteration of the puzzle of the UK labour market in recent years: why are higher employment rates not pushing up wages? Traditional labour market theory tells us that as unemployment falls, workers feel more secure in their jobs and more able to…Read more…
The truth behind the headlines
In an exclusive interview, filmmaker Morag Livingstone speaks to UniteLive about what inspired her to make an explosive new investigative feature documentary film about where real power lies…Read more…
‘Not worth the paper’
Theresa May’s claim that a Tory government will use Brexit to improve workers’ rights has been met with derision and disbelief by opposition and trade union leaders. May’s election campaign…Read more…
Putting your feet first
There are over 3m people who have been diagnosed with diabetes and there are a large number of people who are undiagnosed. One major complication that people with diabetes often develop is…Read more…
‘Our manifesto is for you’
Labour today (May 16) launched its manifesto to widespread acclaim as the party pledged to reverse seven years of failed austerity, invest in infrastructure and public services, and rebalance the…Read more…
ECJ Singapore ruling adds to case against ISDS in Brexit deal
Today the European Court of Justice (ECJ) gave an important boost to the case for scrapping Investor State Dispute Settlement, as well as other corporate court systems like it, in trade agreements. Part of the ECJ’s ruling today was that trade deals that contain ISDS need to be ratified in EU…Read more…
#GE2017: Why this election matters so much to young people
If you’re under 25, this election matters because it is about securing your future. A massive 2.4m young people are currently missing from the voter register, more than enough votes to swing the election outcome drastically in any direction they chose. We know that turnout for 18-24 year olds has…Read more…
‘Incredible disrespect’
Unite the union has accused whisky giant Chivas Brothers of ‘disrespect’ to workers. The company – owned by French-based multinational Pernod Ricard – confirmed in November last year…Read more…
‘Leopards don’t change their spots’
In a cynical move to falsely rebrand itself as the party of working people, the Tories today (May 15) announced a raft of policies offering greater employment rights and protections. …Read more…
We need family work rights that working families can actually use
Today is the International Day for Families, so it’s timely to think about the types of support that working families need to spend more time together. As a starting point, it’s imperative that working parents don’t see their existing rights undermined following Brexit. EU employment law…Read more…
Manchester council demo
Striking members of Unite employed on social housing maintenance contracts in Manchester will stage a demonstration outside of Manchester Town Hall, on Monday, May 15 at 12pm, demanding the council…Read more…
Picnic protest
Members of Unite will be joining campaigners and concerned families on Sunday (May 14) for a picnic protest over Medway council’s plans to close 19 Sure Start centres and axe up to 50 staff across…Read more…
“Sweatshop of Europe”
The number of people on zero-hours contracts has reached record levels, with 905,000 people on them in the last three months of 2016, up 13 per cent from the same period last year. But the…Read more…
‘Paltry’ accident fine
Unite has criticised a ‘paltry’ fine imposed on a company for health and safety breaches that led to the permanent impairment of a worker. At Dundee Sheriff Court yesterday (May 11), Wallace…Read more…
Workers need legal protection, not voluntary standards
An international standard for health and safety may sound like a good idea to a lot of people, but the current proposals for one would be bad news for many workers. The International Standards…Read more…
Barclays jobs stay pledge
Barclays is not considering moving British jobs to Europe because of Brexit, the bank’s chief executive has said. Jes Staley also said that any internal restructuring that would be needed…Read more…
Transforming Britain
A Labour government would re-nationalise the UK’s energy industry, railways, buses and Royal Mail, the party’s leaked draft manifesto states. In a boost for ordinary people, Labour would also…Read more…
‘Damaging’ school cuts
Unite has warned that damaging school cuts will increase if the Tories regain power on June 8. The warning was issued after education unions, including Unite, condemned plans by an academy…Read more…
Crane strikes loom
The likelihood of strikes this summer at HTC Wolffkran, the UK’s largest tower crane operator, have taken a dramatic step forward after peace talks collapsed in an ongoing pay dispute. Unite,…Read more…
Hull Pride
Unite’s £17,000 sponsorship of a landmark UK Pride event in Hull – 2017 City of Culture – underlines the country’s largest union’s support for gay rights, whether in the workplace or in…Read more…