Today (12 April) Unite and GMB members protested at the Danish embassy in London. The protest (filmed above) focused on several Danish firms who are involved in the funding and…Read more…
More wage pain
The largest fall in living standards since records began is set to continue — and will only further deepen — after figures released today (April 12) show rising inflation but near zero wage growth….Read more…
Devolution and Metro Mayors should prioritise a ‘truly’ inclusive society
In three weeks’ time, six regions across the UK will be electing their new Metro Mayors. Devolution has the potential to radically empower local communities. But several quarters have voiced the same message that on its current track devolution will only serve to further entrench power in the hands…Read more…
100% Business Rates retention should support local economic growth
The government’s Local Government Finance Bill 2016-17 is set to make some radical changes to the way local government will be financed through local business rates (BRs) within England. At present, local government can retain 50% of business rates (BRs), which are essentially a tax on…Read more…
‘Uphill struggle’
Unite – the union fighting for a fair deal for Sports Direct workers – has warned today (April 12) that the company’s newly appointed board member will face an uphill struggle to have workers’…Read more…
In the Budget Philip Hammond said rising real wages were ‘most important’ – what happened?
8 March 2017, Philip Hammond’s Budget Speech: And most importantly, Mr Deputy Speaker, despite higher-than-target inflation, real wages continue to rise in every year of the forecast. [my emphasis] 12 April 2017, only five weeks later, statistics from ONS Labour Market statistics release…Read more…
A ‘real living wage’
Labour will increase the minimum wage to £10 if the party wins the 2020 general election, Jeremy Corbyn said today (April 11). The Labour leader promised “a real living wage” of “at least” £10…Read more…
A future more uncertain?
Serious concerns have been raised again over the future of the Moorside nuclear power station in Cumbria, as it emerged today that its soon-to-be sole investor Toshiba (April 11) is on the brink of…Read more…
Undercutting must end
Construction unions Unite and GMB are to hold a series of demonstrations tomorrow (April 12) over the undercutting and exploitation of construction workers. The protests focus on several…Read more…
Stop Brexit pain
The consequences of a “hard” Brexit have been laid bare in a new report, which shows that manufacturing, agriculture, energy and construction are amongst the sectors which would be hardest hit….Read more…
Stop hostile takeovers plea
A “bargain basement Britain” is no mere exaggeration conjured by fears over what looms on the other side of Brexit. As Unilever boss Paul Polman warned last month, the threat of hostile…Read more…
More Fujitsu strikes
Unite members working for the IT giant Fujitsu will strike for a further four days at sites across the UK in their long-running dispute over plans to axe one in five jobs and pension cuts. …Read more…
Chicken factory at risk
Just a day after Bernard Matthews announced on Thursday (April 6) that it would slash 69 chicken production jobs in Norfolk, the 2 Sisters Food Group said on Friday (April 7) that it plans to shutter…Read more…
Honour agreement call
Unite, the UK’s largest union for construction workers, has submitted a formal challenge to employers due to deep concerns about ‘worker competency’ at the Ferrybridge power station in Yorkshire….Read more…
How Washington D.C. speaks for Roosevelt’s monumental economic vision
“I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people”, FDR accepting his nomination as presidential candidate, 2 July 1932 credit: Ron Cogswell Preamble Every two years an international Trades Union Confederation delegation from across the world meets with officials…Read more…
‘Reckless and destabilising’
Unite the union says controversial energy firm Ineos is being ‘reckless and ‘destabilising’ over pay talks for workers at its plants in Grangemouth. The company – owned by billionaire…Read more…
‘Desperate’ NHS funding plea
There’s no doubt that the NHS is under pressure as it faces rising demand and chronic government underfunding. But seemingly every week new figures reveal just how massive the scale of the…Read more…
‘We will not stand by’
One of the greatest problems afflicting construction workers is the problem of undercutting. Greedy bosses look to boost their profits by exploiting workers by paying them below industry…Read more…
Where ‘vultures’ dare?
Unite is seeking urgent assurances from Unilever bosses after its decision to sell off its margarine spreads business has put 200 jobs in Essex at risk. Responding to Unilever’s decision to…Read more…
Change has to come
Hospitality workers are among the hardest working yet lowest paid, so it’s hardly surprising that low wages and unfair tipping practices are two of the biggest issues facing our members. After all,…Read more…