“Brexit means Brexit” is likely to top the list of most repeated phrases of 2016 (at least in the press). But what does Brexit (means Brexit) mean for the economy, and working people’s jobs, rights and pay? In a new report, we attempt to survey the evidence. The problem is, there’s not that much…Read more…
Seize the opportunity
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey moves composite on the European Union. See and share our film below:
The post Seize the opportunity appeared first on UNITElive.org.Read more…
Out of EU must not mean out of work
Employers must not use Conservative in-fighting and the challenge of Brexit to let a shadow descend over the future of UK workplaces – warned Len McCluskey, Unite general secretary. Moving a…Read more…
More pay clarity call
It takes WPP CEO Martin Sorrell — the UK’s highest paid boss — less than 45 minutes to take home what an average British worker earns in an entire year. This fact was among the shocking…Read more…
Stem poverty and insecurity call
Over the summer, Tony Blair did some thinking. He came to the conclusion that he is baffled by the rise of Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn. The high priest of the third way has confessed that he…Read more…
Government must do more to tackle the investment gap if we’re to make Brexit work
Leaving the EU has raised many significant questions for our economic future. We have to do all we can to protect jobs that may be at risk from this uncertainty. We have already seen hiring freezes and the Bank of England has predicted almost a quarter…Read more…
The 45-minute salary: Why we need worker reps on boards
Sir Martin Sorrell is the Chief Executive Officer of WPP, the multinational advertising and PR firm. He’s also retained his place this year as Britain’s highest paid CEO, drawing nearly £70 million in 2015. For those who are used to somewhat fewer zeroes on their pay slips, this might…Read more…
Keep health visitor promises
Scotland’s leading health visitors’ union says the Scottish government has to keep its promises on fair funding and extra staff if it wants the named person scheme to be a success. The…Read more…
Taking back control of our borders. Unless you’re a city fat cat.
There are over three million EU citizens living and working in the UK who are concerned about their future right to remain in the UK. Many Brits currently living and working in the rest of the EU have the same concerns about their own future. Organisat…Read more…
‘Rank incompetence’
Prudential employees, based in Reading, will stage two 24-hour strikes over plans to offshore an estimated 82 jobs dealing with annuities to India. Staff, members of Unite, will strike for 24…Read more…
‘A big, big victory’
Unite secured a massive victory in its fight against Bromley council’s privatisation agenda, after its campaign forced a main plank of the local authority’s proposals to fall. Bromley has…Read more…
With so much to deal with in 2016, why debate a return to 1950s education?
So my first week as the new AMiE president – and the first of the new academic year – draws to an end. Glancing through the press this week, it’s clear that there will lots of to talk about over the…Read more…
From Uber to Sports direct
The fight to defend the UK’s industrial economy will be spearheaded by Unite at the Trades Union Congress when it gathers in Brighton from September 11 to 14. Taking part in key Congress…Read more…
Cavendish Coalition: tackling the #right2remain for health & care workers
We have read, written and talked much in recent years about the enormous pressures in our health and social care systems – pressures caused by increasing need as people live longer but are not always well; by public spending cuts; by the necessary expenses of modern, high-tech care; and,…Read more…
Is the Daily Mail right about increasing strike action? (Spoiler: No)
The Daily Mail took the TUC to task this week over claims made by our General Secretary, Frances O’Grady that industrial action was not on the increase and that the number of strikes were “very, very low”. Referring to industrial disputes on Southern, ScotRail and Virgin East Coast, the Mail…Read more…
Ghana TUC: building workers’ power for decent work & national development
As delegates head to Brighton for the TUC’s 148th Congress, we’ve received a fascinating report from the Ghana TUC Congress held last month, which we wanted to share. Thanks to Justice Baako Ntarmah,…Read more…
Strong and determined
Security staff at Community Safety Glasgow say they are standing firm against cuts of up to £4,000 in their take-home pay. Around 30 Unite members started strike action today (September 7)…Read more…
Ban zero hours contracts call
While many had predicted that zero-hours contracts (ZHCs) would diminish as the economy picked up again following the financial crisis, successive annual figures show that these work arrangements…Read more…
‘Blue blood’ monopoly
Snobbish investment banks are barring nearly all but the very wealthiest from entering the industry thanks to unforgivable infractions – like wearing brown shoes, speaking with the wrong accent and…Read more…
The fight that can never rest
Top former footballers including Les Ferdinand MBE and Paul Elliot MBE will be among those coming together at Unite’s headquarters this Friday (September 9) to promote the 20th anniversary of the…Read more…