Unite is seeking to reverse the devastating announcement of a Michelin tyre factory closure in Northern Ireland, which could mean the loss of nearly 900 jobs. The announcement, made…Read more…
Still a fundamental attack
On the eve of the trade union Bill’s report stage, due to take place next week (November 10), the government suddenly climbed down on some of the legislation’s key elements. Controversial…Read more…
Timely call for stewards at Peoples’ March for Climate, Justice and Jobs
The brilliant team organising the national climate demonstration in London on 29/11 has issued an urgent appeal for more stewards here, just as the UN warns that government pledges ahead of the Paris Treaty negotiations cannot prevent dangerous climate…Read more…
Is Britain fairer for black and minority ethnic workers?
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) report ‘Is Britain fairer?’ examines the extent to which equality and human rights are improving in Britain. It reveals that the systemic labour market discrimination suffered by black and minority ethnic (BME) workers is still a major feature of…Read more…
Token move
Late yesterday (Tuesday November 3) the Department for Business insisted the controls on posting to social media – forcing people to seek police approval before posting to social media – would not be…Read more…
Episode 17: Behind closed doors…
Sounds familiar? If you work in the hospitality industry you can join www.unitetheunion.org – if you earn less than the Living Wage (£9.15ph in London, £7.85 outside) for just £2.10 per week….Read more…
Government forced into first climbdown over trade union bill
Yesterday I had the privilege to speak to over 2,500 people at the lobby against the trade union bill. It was a fantastic event, with union members travelling from all over the UK to talk with their MPs in person. Spirits were high, even though the que…Read more…
‘Believe in our values’
Here is Len McCluskey’s speech he made at the Trade Union Bill rally and lobby of parliament, November 2. The Unite general secretary urged the packed rally to, “Stay solid together and…Read more…
‘Pitiful’ pay offer
Last ditch talks to avoid an escalating pay dispute at the UK’s largest crane hire company, Ainscough, are set to take place this Thursday (November 5) after members of Unite rejected a ‘pitiful’ two…Read more…
The productivity challenge
Earlier this week I participated in an ACAS seminar on building productivity in the UK. I have written previously on the so-called ‘productivity puzzle’ and the critical importance of investment,…Read more…
One in four workers
For the third year in a row, the number of people earning below the Living Wage (LW) has increased, now standing at a record 6m – nearly one in four workers. The news comes as the Living Wage…Read more…
The poverty gap between disabled and non-disabled people has got worse
Is Britain fairer for disabled people? No, if you read across all the findings in the report of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published on 30 October, their five-yearly survey into “fairness” in Britain. This will come as no surprise to millions of disabled people living with the…Read more…
Highest prison injury and death figures for a decade reveal system out of control
New statistics released by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) reveal that 267 people have died in prisons in England and Wales in the 12 months up to the end of September 2015, an increase of 33 compared to the 12 months ending December 2014. This number in…Read more…
#MothersWork campaign will challenge pregnancy discrimination
When David Cameron wooed his party conference with a bold pledge to “end discrimination and finish the fight for real equality in our country”, I had great hopes that the Government would turn its mind to the widespread and growing problem of pregnancy discrimination at work. With evidence showing…Read more…
‘Walking away in their droves’
Northern Ireland NHS professionals from every healthcare union are to hold a protest at Stormont tomorrow (Wednesday November 4). The protest has been called over the mounting impact of NHS…Read more…
Episode 16: ‘Keep an eye on Juan’
Sounds familiar? If you work in the hospitality industry you can join www.unitetheunion.org – if you earn less than the Living Wage (£9.15ph in London, £7.85 outside) for just £2.10 per week….Read more…
‘Deeply unimpressed’
Just 14 per cent of UK voters believe the government’s handling of job losses in the steel industry has been effective according to a new poll which also shows that almost seven in 10 (68 per cent)…Read more…
‘A complete bashing of TU rights’
Thousands gathered at a TUC Support the Right to Strike lobby and rally in London today (November 2), where trade unionists from across the country came to fight the trade union Bill. Unite…Read more…
A ‘win-win decision’
Unite hailed Unilever UK’s accreditation as a Living Wage employer today (November 2) as a victory for low paid workers on the road to better pay, but warned the move could be undermined if the…Read more…
Introducing… Young Workers Month
November is the TUC Young Workers Month, a time to promote trade unions to young workers and to highlight the particular issues that they face. To kick off this month, here are some not-so-fun facts about the state of the labour market for young people…Read more…