Union’s president describes how a decade of austerity damaged the UK’s ability to protect workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
The article UNISON takes COVID-19 inquiry call to TUC Congress first appeared on the UNISON National site.
UNISON takes COVID-19 inquiry call to TUC Congress
Union’s president describes how a decade of austerity damaged the UK’s ability to protect workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
The article UNISON takes COVID-19 inquiry call to TUC Congress first appeared on the UNISON National site.
‘Retail banks are community services’
Speaking on behalf of Unite members in the finance and legal sector, Unite delegate Vanessa Williams gave an impassioned speech in support of a composite on financial services on the last day of Congress on Wednesday (September 13). She told Congress that the composite “outlines the impact of an industry which prioritises profiteering over communities […]
The post ‘Retail banks are community services’ appeared first on Unite Live.
TUC Congress 2023: Day Two
Congress started again on Monday at 9.30. The ACC Liverpool conference centre is in the Kings docks area and it was a pleasant 10 minute walk from the hotel. Outside the conference centre there was a few people canvassing delegates, selling news …Read more…
War ‘never in interests of working people’
Speaking on a composite on the war in Ukraine, Unite executive head of operations Gail Cartmail gave an impassioned speech in which she said Unite “unreservedly condemns Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and stands in full solidarity with the millions who are victims of that attack”. Gail highlighted the UN General Secretary’s report on children and […]
The post War ‘never in interests of working people’ appeared first on Unite Live.
‘No hiding places’
‘No hiding places’
Unite Covid inquiry call
Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner spoke supporting a motion calling for a a public inquiry into Covid-19.
Welcoming the composite he said, “Unite was one of the unions that first called for a full and independent public inquiry and we continue to provide evidence to assist the TUC in coordinating our collective input.
“Like all of us we lost members to Covid … disproportionately from our Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities communities. In transport through retail to health and social care.
“Congress it’s no surprise after 13 years of austerity, cuts to public services, privatisation and deregulation … it was working class communities, those already struggling with poor health, too often relying on food banks and, living in housing that in many cases should have been condemned long ago that bore the brunt of the pandemic.”
He continued, “We’ve also highlighted that many sectors with the highest number of deaths have a history of both long and unsocial hours and asked that the inquiry investigate whether this made workers more susceptible to the disease.
“So we welcome the call to highlight the equalities impact of the pandemic. Congress, the motion calls for decision makers to be held to account.”
Steve went on to say, “While we can be rightly proud of our collective role in protecting millions with furlough, and our members who returned to work to manufacture the PPE and medical ventilators desperately needed on the front line.
“Government ministers who failed to prepare, went on to fail us at every level. Passing VIP lane contracts to mates who went on to bill us for millions from the bar of the pub they ran.
“While they were pissing it up in Downing Street, across the river loved ones were gasping their last breath.
“So we say let there be no hiding places, no escape routes or collective failure excuses. We demand that those responsible for gross negligence, corruption or a wider dereliction of public duty are identified, prosecuted and locked up. Denied their freedom just as they denied some 229,000 victims a full and healthy life.”
He concluded by adding a final call to Congress. “We pay tribute to the work and determination of Covid Bereaved Families to seek justice and we stand here in absolute solidarity with them.”
By Amanda Campbell
Pic by Mark Thomas
The post ‘No hiding places’ appeared first on Unite Live.
AI in the workplace
Unite delegate Tommy Murphy gave a thought-provoking intervention in a discussion on artificial intelligence in the workplace at TUC Congress on Tuesday (September 12). Tommy said, “Workers in the print industry have long memories – and we remember the charging horses of the Wapping dispute where millionaires imposed automation by force.” He warned that new […]
The post AI in the workplace appeared first on Unite Live.
Blog: Let’s stick together to win the proper pay for the job
‘Wirral NHS clinical support workers just want to be paid the proper rate for the work they do and the responsibilities they take’
The article Blog: Let’s stick together to win the proper pay for the job first appeared on the UNISON National site.
Blog: Let’s stick together to win the proper pay for the job
‘Wirral NHS clinical support workers just want to be paid the proper rate for the work they do and the responsibilities they take’
The article Blog: Let’s stick together to win the proper pay for the job first appeared on the UNISON National site.
A Labour government is what working people need, says UNISON
Change needed after 13 years of declining living standards and harm to public services
The article A Labour government is what working people need, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.
A Labour government is what working people need, says UNISON
Change needed after 13 years of declining living standards and harm to public services
The article A Labour government is what working people need, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.
Windrush victims justice call
Unite delegate Susan Matthews gave a powerful speech in a debate on ending the government’s ‘hostile environment’ on Tuesday (September 12). Highlighting that this year marked the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush arriving in the UK, she said the fight for Windrush victims’ compensation continues. “We have all witnessed this government’s hostile environment […]
The post Windrush victims justice call appeared first on Unite Live.
Devolve workers’ law in Scotland
“Congress, we are living in what we hope will be the last years, or perhaps mere months, of Tory misrule.
“And how typical it is then that they are choosing to use the last of their allotted time to attack workers and their trade unions in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.
The post Devolve workers’ law in Scotland appeared first on Unite Live.
Naval Shipbuilding – UK by Default
I was at the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Maritime and Shipbuilding this afternoon to present a report I wrote for Prospect, Design, build and maintain: Effective defence procurement. The report describes the current defence procurem…Read more…
Steel industry ‘pushed closer to the brink’
Unite delegate Terry Mills seconded a motion on the steel industry and national security on the second day of TUC Congress on Monday (September 11). He called on the government to commit to our steel industry, through investment and procurement, which he called “long overdue”. “It is an indictment that when steelworkers are fighting for […]
The post Steel industry ‘pushed closer to the brink’ appeared first on Unite Live.
‘No-go zone for disabled people’
Unite delegate Martyn Gwyther gave an impassioned speech in defence of ticket offices as he seconded a motion on closures across England. He said government plans to close ticket offices “totally disregards legal duties under the Equality Act”. Martyn noted that a fifth of the entire population is disabled, citing the government’s own data which […]
The post ‘No-go zone for disabled people’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Climate change and jobs
“Congress, this motion raises important ideas about what our movement can do to meet the climate crisis head on.
“But the reality is we must start by recognising a green future will not be won on the conference floor, but on the shop floor.
The post Climate change and jobs appeared first on Unite Live.
‘Position of strength’
He said, “As we meet here the bus industry is in the second year of a nationwide strike wave. Over 40,000 bus workers have been involved in over 150 disputes in every corner of the UK.
The post ‘Position of strength’ appeared first on Unite Live.
‘The time to be bold’
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham moved a motion on public ownership of energy at the TUC Congress on Monday (September 11). Opening her speech to vast applause, she thanked “many of you taking action for the very first time. We stand with you – victory to the strikers – solidarity”. She then paid tribute to […]
The post ‘The time to be bold’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Top 5 ways to help planet Earth this week
From webinars to WhatsApp messages, how to prepare and get involved in Green Week, which starts this Friday
The article Top 5 ways to help planet Earth this week first appeared on the UNISON National site.