I understand, and sympathise with, reluctance to be seen to be “playing politics” with the global pandemic as the daily death toll rises.
However, the coronavirus pandemic is unavoidably political. Its origins speak of the pressure placed upon our glob…Read more…
Bluebells in Chalet Wood, Wanstead Park
For our hour’s exercise yesterday, Gill and I went for a walk in Wanstead Park to see the bluebells in Chalet Wood. They are simply magnificent this year and appear to be at or near their peak.
The park was not crowded at all and the the pathways in t…Read more…
Needless deaths
The announcement by the government that they are writing off £13.4 million debt is welcome. However, this so-called debt is … MoreRead more…
“Bloody foreigners, coming over here, saving our lives”
Hat tip my UNISON Police staff comrade Tony Green for this brilliant photo from 2018 reminding us that so many of our front line NHS (& Social Care) heroes were not born in the UK. Read more…
‘I’m so proud’. Dave Prentis on the first weeks of the COVID-19 crisis
‘We know it’s not business as usual. We’re doing the best that we can, because our members deserve our protection’
The article ‘I’m so proud’. Dave Prentis on the first weeks of the COVID-19 crisis…Read more…
‘Dignity, justice, solidarity for all’
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey sends a personal video message to members. In the short video below he says, “There’s no manual for how we approach this crisis. But we…Read more…
Bwthyn Unig / Lone Cottage by Kyffin Williams: Ebrill April 2020
Another lovely painting from this 2020 calendar by Welsh artist Kyffin Williams. Read more…
Keir Starmer appoints Labour frontbench
Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, said: “This is a new team that will take the Labour Party forward in a new era. Under my leadership, the Labour Party will be utterly focused on working in…Read more…
Coronavirus news round-up
The post Coronavirus news round-up appeared first on UNITElive.org.Read more…
Heroes and zeroes
In our latest ‘heroes and zeroes’ list of the coronavirus crisis, we hear from more unsung legends who are keeping the country going. And as ever, we never shy away from calling out the…Read more…
Furloughing and fundamental rights: The case of paid annual leave
The post Furloughing and fundamental rights: The case of paid annual leave appeared first on IER.Read more…
Thousands of public service workers contact UNISON with ‘harrowing’ stories around protective kit as government asked to step up over Easter
Ministers need to get to grips with supply problems
The article Thousands of public service workers contact UNISON with ‘harrowing’ stories around protective kit as government asked to step up over…Read more…
UNISON secures PPE win for Scotland’s care workers
Joint unions warned that previous advice from Scotland’s chief nursing officer increased risks for home and social carers
The article UNISON secures PPE win for Scotland’s care workers first…Read more…
Unite artist Jamie Caldwell pays tribute to NHS heroes
Unite’s Jamie Caldwell has been creating a bit of happiness during the coronavirus lockdown by drawing cartoons of NHS heroes who have been nominated by their friends and family. As well as being…Read more…
Shining a spotlight on precarious work
The coronavirus crisis has shone a spotlight on the precarious nature of jobs across the UK, especially in counties such as Dorset. More workers than ever are on zero-hours contracts in the…Read more…
Ask Alys: what are my rights at work as a parent?
As the Easter break approaches with the UK still in lockdown, many parents working from home will breathe a sigh of relief at having some time off from the competing demands of homeschooling and home…Read more…
Bus worker deaths – Unite speaks out
Unite officials joined in today’s (April 9) BBC news and Sky News coverage on the union’s demands for safe working conditions for bus workers following the recent tragic deaths of 10…Read more…
Heroes of the year – Brompton Bikes workers
Every day over the festive period here on UniteLive, we highlight a different ‘hero of the year’. Today, we pay tribute to Brompton bikes workers, many of whom are Unite members, who joined in the…Read more…
Surviving lockdown with kids and work
When the government announced that schools would be closing on Friday March 20 I remember breathing a sigh of relief while dread and horror also crept over me. As much as I knew school closures were…Read more…
“Coronavirus: Newham Council approves more than £60m worth of council tax and business rates relief”
Headline is from the Newham Recorder and picture of Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz at our 2nd “urgent” Council Cabinet meeting of the current crisis on Friday (3rd April).
Because of legal requirements that all Cabinet meetings had to have at least 3 mem…Read more…