Although the Chancellor said today, “We will be bold in delivering the Northern Powerhouse,” he had little to add on his big, unifying idea of “connectivity.” The theory (that I’ve not been able to track down to its evidence base) is that “a transformation in connections between the great cities of…Read more…
National Living Wage – good news, but some important questions
George Osborne announced today that the government would introduce a new National Living Wage of £7.20 per hour for workers aged 25 and above, to apply from April 2016 onwards (Budget Report, p32, Para 1.121). This will take the form of an initial 50p supplement to the existing adult rate National…Read more…
What is a bird-in-the-bush worth to pension savers?
It’s a hard sale to make. “See that bird in your hand? Well I am taking it away. But don’t worry – in 50 years time you will get two, actually make that one, pecking around over there in the bush.” This is the scenario the Treasury is effectively exploring with its…Read more…
Campaign Against Euro-Federalism (CAEF)Statement on Greek, “No!” vote
caef@caef.org.uk Greece No! to austerity CAEF statement [7.7.15] The position of the Greek Government and No! vote to austerity in the referendum does not alter the eurozone operation or the thrust…Read more…
Letter from Fidel to Alexis Tsipras, Prime Minister of Greece
The historic leader of the Revolution congratulated the Hon. Mr. Alexis Tsipras for his political victory and courage regarding the current situation facing the country Author: Fidel Castro Ruz…Read more…
‘Step forward’ for fair employment
Unite today (July 8) welcomed new arrangements with North Ayrshire Council (NAC) to improve the rights of casual workers across the local authority’s operations, calling the agreement a step forward…Read more…
Budget ‘will punish millions’
George Osborne’s budget risks taking Britain backwards with further austerity and fails to realise the government’s ambition of boosting productivity, Unite warned today (Wednesday July 8). …Read more…
A plan for working people that leaves them worse off (on the basis of the OBR figures)
There is a lot to absorb in this astonishing budget where those who have suffered most in the recession appear to be paying most for a partial ending of austerity. But in spite of the claimed ‘plan for working people’, it appears that the OBR think households will end up worse not better…Read more…
Summer Budget 2015 has little to say on industrial policy
The headlines from today’s Budget are pretty clear to see: the National Living Wage, an apprenticeship levy for large employers, a further squeeze on benefits. There is little to say on industrial policy and whilst today’s Budget can be viewed as a statement about big themes, concerns that the…Read more…
Osborne’s “ugly political debate” on green subsidies spooks investors
Another unhappy budget for the green economy, confirming the sale of the Green Investment Bank, a sovereign wealth fund for communities that host shale gas development, more roads investment, and expanding the North Sea allowances to include additional…Read more…
#Budget2015 gives with one hand but takes with the other
George Osborne is giving with one hand and taking away with the other in today’s Budget. The Chancellor has finally woken up to the fact that Britain needs a pay rise. The TUC has long campaigned for the minimum wage to rise faster and it’s good to see that the Chancellor has listened…Read more…
Drug firm workers to strike
Workers at the United Drug Sangers NI are set to take their first day of strike action on Wednesday, July 15, after members rejected a management pay offer. Large majorities endorsed the 24…Read more…
Nae Paseran
In a small Scottish town in 1974, factory workers refuse to carry out repairs on warplane engines in an act of solidarity against the violent military coup in Chile. Four years pass then the engines…Read more…
RMT SLAMS ANOTHER DOSE OF RAIL FRANCHISE CHAOS ON SW TRAINS
RMT SLAMS ANOTHER DOSE OF RAIL FRANCHISE CHAOS ON SW TRAINS
7 July 2015RMT Press OfficeGeneral Secretary Mick Cash said;”For some time now we have been told that Dft would be agreeing a direct award…Read more…
Unite Rules Conference – day two
Tuesday’s business was less contentious than Monday’s, but covered a wide range of issues.
In the debate on retired members, Assistant General Secretary Steve Turner clarified that “Executive Statements”, if passed, do actually change rules – it is up…Read more…
Unite commits to Labour
Unite reaffirmed its commitment to the Labour Party on Monday (July 6), after members from across Unite engaged in a wide-ranging and passionate debate at the union’s rules conference. An…Read more…
Take action on Iran’s crackdowns on teachers & journalists
Perhaps upset that it somehow missed out on inclusion in the ITUC list of the ten worst countries to be a trade unionist last month, Iran has made a strong early bid to be included next year by…Read more…
Hypocrisy of Eurozone leaders, refusing to admit austerity has failed Greece
It’s difficult to write anything about the Greek crisis without it being immediately out of date although the crisis itself, and the suffering of the Greek people, continues unabated. After the stunning 22% “no” majority in Sunday’s Greek referendum (like Britain’s…Read more…
Long-termism in executive pay = more pay overall
The news that some companies are sounding out investors about steep increases in base salary in response to longer deferral periods should come as a shock to no-one. Here’s The Grauniad from yesterday:
Some of the UK’s biggest companies are sounding out shareholders about pay rises for their bosses…Read more…
UNISON Labour Link 2015: Motion on “Union busting by UK public service providers”
This was the speech for London motion 18 on Union busting which was delivered by our delegate James Beckles.
Hopefully, anti-union rogue employers in our sector such as Catalyst Housing and Creative Support will take note.
“Forum, everyone her…Read more…