This piece by Natalie Bloomer originally appeared on Politics.co.uk on Tuesday, February 9. Last Friday, as diners enjoyed a meal at the upmarket London restaurant STK, a noisy protest took…Read more…
New Sentencing guidelines welcomed
This month new guidelines on the sentencing of those who break health and safety laws come into effect. They represent a huge change in attitude to health and safety offences and have broadly been…Read more…
“That’s when I joined the union”
In Part 3 of our Heart Unions series, UniteLive speaks with a young rep working in the retail sector — a growing industry as the economy hurtles towards insecure, low-wage jobs. James*…Read more…
Mum knows best
David Cameron’s own mother has signed a petition against his cuts to children’s services in Tory led Oxfordshire county council. She was persuaded to sign the petition by her sister, Clare…Read more…
‘Start taking the fight to the Tories’
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey hit out at the ‘cabal’ of Labour party malcontents plotting against Jeremy Corbyn, challenging them to embrace the much-needed change his leadership…Read more…
UK goods exports fall for the second year in a row
Today’s trade figures indicated the difficulties faced by the UK’s hard pressed manufacturing industry. In cash terms, exports of goods have now declined for two consecutive years, by £20 billion in total or 7%. The left chart shows the coalition enjoyed the advantage of a trade revival when they…Read more…
Tory fears exposed
The government’s controversial trade union Bill is starting to unravel, as a recently leaked letter exposed Tory ministers fearing a defeat of the legislation as it passes through the House of Lords….Read more…
Talking unions with Eddie Izzard at the #heartunions Big Workplace Meeting
A little known fact about Eddie Izzard: He was elected leader of a newly formed street performers’ association in Covent Garden early in his career, citing this as when he first learned about…Read more…
Tougher economic conditions, but the IFS suggests the Chancellor’s rules are holding back growth
Yesterday the IFS set out a bleaker view for the economy and public finances in its Green Budget, which is published every year in the run-up to the Chancellor’s Budget Statement. Given the gloomy projections, let’s hope the government takes note, especially with regard to the fiscal mandate….Read more…
Breastfeeding crisis
The UK has the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world at one year, according to a recent review of all the evidence on breastfeeding. Rates of starting breastfeeding have been increasing over…Read more…
Never mind the ballots. Daily Mail fail over Government #TUbill eVoting leak
Several papers have picked up on yesterday’s leaked ministerial letter, outlining concessions the Government think they may have to make to head off a trade union bill defeat in the Lords. The Daily Mail have joined the pack, though they have as you might expect a slightly different take from…Read more…
‘You can’t afford not to be in a union’
In Part 2 of our series for Heart Unions week, in which we feature one trade union member each day, we speak to Kieran Duffy, a waiter who’s struggled against bad employers, and through the…Read more…
End black cab ‘race to the bottom’
London taxi drivers fed up with the government’s ‘race to the bottom’ in deregulating the trade, with an adverse impact on passenger safety, will be protesting in central London tomorrow (February…Read more…
We won’t let up
Pressure has mounted against Sports Direct, as Unite community and young members again escalated their campaign in Scotland at the weekend. They took their message to thousands of football…Read more…
Fair tips fight goes on
Unite staged a ‘Fair Tips’ protest on Friday (February 5) outside STK London – the American-style steakhouse inside the five star ME London Hotel over accusations that it is cheating staff out of…Read more…
Cynical Government attack on safety representatives
Today is the beginning of heartunions week. It also sees the House of Lords start discussing the detail of the Trade Union Bill. The first is a celebration of the fantastic work that union…Read more…
Leaked letter shows ministers recognise large parts of #TUbill aren’t fit for purpose
A ministerial letter leaked to the Socialist Worker newspaper has revealed that the government are expecting the House of Lords to defeat “flagship” parts of the Trade Union Bill. The letter was sent on 26 January from BIS minister Nick Boles to Oliver Letwin and Chris Grayling, who…Read more…
‘Match the ambition of our young’
Unite’s ‘Rally for a future’ in Ballymena drew thousands on Saturday (February 6), as the community joined together to demand decent jobs and investment. World-renowned actor…Read more…
‘Management have to listen’
This week (February 8-14) is Heart Unions, a week that celebrates all that we love about our trade unions. Our Heart Unions series on UniteLive will feature one trade unionist’s story each day….Read more…
Dignity and respect
Unite Scotland community and young members have intensified their campaign against Sports Direct calling for decent work for all. Members recently marched through Fife, Dundee, Renfrewshire…Read more…