In the leadership debate two weeks ago, David Cameron described NHS managers as ‘bureaucrats with clipboards’. He boasted that he’d got rid of 20,000 such managers in England and that somehow this had created more jobs for doctors and nurses. Well yes, they got rid of the managers, in the most…Read more…
When the homeless are criminalised
Hundreds of people took to the streets of London yesterday, bringing traffic to a standstill as they marched on Parliament to raise awareness of the treatment of homeless people in the UK, Ireland…Read more…
Food safety is the priority for Scots
Scots want slaughter houses to be independently inspected by government meat safety inspectors, not handed over to the industry to regulate themselves.
UNISON has commissioned independent pollsters…Read more…
Tory guns loaded and targeted on trade unions
#GE2015 David Cameron’s cocksure comment in last night’s BBC interview that the Tories are ‘only 23 seats short of a majority’ should make every trade unionist reflect on what’s at stake in next…Read more…
Smurfit Kappa strike on hold
The four day strike at corrugated packaging company Smurfit Kappa in Northampton, due to start on Friday (April 17), has been suspended. This is to allow the appeals of the two sacked senior…Read more…
Workers’ Memorial Day 28 April 2015
A powerful video on the history and importance of workers health and safety. Warning: it does contain some disturbing scences. Hat tip unison health and safety.
This year I am organising an event to mark Workers’ Memorial Day at the statute in Three M…Read more…
What polling on working time shows about attitudes to Europe
The High Pay Centre launched the findings of some interesting polling yesterday, showing that social measures like the Working Time Directive and restrictions on bankers’ bonuses introduced by the European Union were popular with British people, but not well-understood to originate in Europe….Read more…
Unite slams “barmy” UKIP
Union says proposal to abolish the Department of Energy and Climate Change would lead to chaosRead more…
Windsor change at the castle as Queen’s workers vote for industrial action
PCS members angry at low wages set to take action from end of the monthRead more…
Scotland’s National Museum hit by strike action
PCS members in National Museum Scotland today begin a two-day strike over the withdrawal of their weekend working allowance. Staff employed since 1 January 2011 do not get the weekend working…Read more…
The truth behind Tory tax policies
TUC analysis shows party has chosen to prioritise unfunded tax giveaways to the wealthyRead more…
NUJ anger at politicians’ “cash for access” election scam
Union to write to all parties to seek assurances that journalists will be granted fair access to general election eventsRead more…
UNISON NEC Elections 2015: London Calling
If you have not received your ballot papers by (14 April) you should ring 0800 0857 857. Lines open 6am to midnight, Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm on Saturday. Ballot closes 15 May.Check out other national, regional and Black Members recommendations …Read more…
Unions together for Labour: Rally for your rights – London Monday 27 April 2015
“Fight for your rights and join us at our Central London rally as we campaign to stop the sell-off of our NHS, for secure jobs – tackling insecurity and abolishing zero hour contracts, decent wages, rights at works –making employment justice a right not a privilege and solving the cost of living…Read more…
FAST FOOD CAMPAIGN
On the 20-22 April the STUC Congress will be meeting in Ayr. The theme of this year’s Congress is Decent Work and Dignified Lives. In the run up to Congress this blog will host a series of…Read more…
Someone on our side
UNITElive spoke yesterday (April 14) with Cardiff mum and Unite member Jo Stevens, a prospective parliamentary candidate for Labour in Cardiff Central. Jo was hitting the campaign trail in Wales with…Read more…
What working for Amazon really does to your health: the truth is starting to come out
We all know about Amazon’s lackadaisical approach to paying its taxes, and its “hire and fire” attitude to the workers who run its giant warehouses, where impossible work standards mean staff are…Read more…
Lewisham lecturers hold jobs protest this afternoon
UCU members fear 150 job could goRead more…
Justice Committee Inquiry finds government reforms have reduced safety and performance of prisons
The Justice Committee recently concluded their first major inquiry on prisons planning and policies in this last parliament, focusing on measures the Ministry of Justice has used to reduce the ‘operational costs’ of the system. The inquiry report reveals the huge strain that the system is under, as…Read more…
‘Beyond barmy’
Nigel Farage had long sought to throw off the spectre of what he himself described as the “drivel and nonsense” of UKIP’s 2010 manifesto. Sadly for the him the 2015 version…Read more…