By Ann Hodgson, UCL Institute of Education. I was invited to chair a session on the Policy Contexts of Professionalism, as part of the in the Developing Collaborative Expertise in the Further…Read more…
Belarus: one of the terrible ten worst countries for workers’ rights (1)
At the ILO conference earlier this month, the International Trade Union Confederation launched its 2015 Global Rights Index, detailing the ten worst countries for workers’ rights abuses in the…Read more…
#TTIP with the US comes second: #CETA with Canada comes first
Trade deals haven’t been so high profile since the 1999 ‘battle for Seattle’, when the World Trade Organisation was met with a wave of anti-globalisation protests. In the US, first the Senate then the House of Representatives have seen pitched battles over ‘Fast Track’…Read more…
Local Government Pay – shall we now have “unity” after the Special Local Government Conference?
As diligent readers of this blog will recollect, UNISON members in Local Government held a Special Service Group Conference in March at which delegates decided that the Union should submit a pay claim for an increase from 1 April 2015.Such a claim was …Read more…
UNISON Conference venue sacks UNISON activist – how shall we respond?
It’s odd to be preparing for the start of a UNISON National Conference at a Conference Centre which not only does not recognise trade unions for collective bargaining, but has just dismissed a UNISON activist. I have just signed a petition in protest at the treatment of Robert O’Donnell by…Read more…
The Bare Necessities of Life…
A member of my UNISON branch has contacted me about a new food co-operative, he is helping to set up in a foyer in Borough, South London.
Due to harsh benefit sanctions many of the young people who live in the foyer are dependent on local food banks a…Read more…
End Austerity Now – National Demonstration Saturday 20th June
Leeds Trades Union Council is helping to organise coach transport to the End Austerity Now – National Demonstration on Saturday 20 June 2015.
You can book a place free on a coach from Leeds West…Read more…
May Day 2015
Thanks to everyone who attended May Day March on 02 May 2015.
It was great to see so many banners there and that no-one was put off by the photo exhibition in Victoria Gardens.
The Leeds public in…Read more…
Ten countries not to go to, if you’re a trade unionist
Although holiday season is almost upon us, this isn’t really the TUC Holiday Show. Over the last fortnight, trade unionists, employers and governments from all over the world have been in…Read more…
Congress deals blow to trade deals as US wakes up to worker concerns
Just a couple of years ago, US unions attacking trade deals because they cost jobs and lowered wages were accused of bogus economics, protectionism and worse (they still are in some circles.) Now their views are expressed even by centrist Democrats and…Read more…
‘Fast track’ defeated – for now! US unions at forefront of campaign
The legislation President Obama needs so that he can drive through the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement being negotiated by the US and twelve Pacific Rim countries is stalled –…Read more…
London against Austerity Conference – 4 July 2015 Islington Town Hall
No acceptance of austerity | March with Labour members
Dear <<First Name>>,LONDON AGAINST AUSTERITY CONFERENCE
Councillors, communities and trade unionists together
GLATUC – the Greater London Association of Trade Union Coun…Read more…
MEPs urge Congress to allow climate action in trade deals
Today, the US House of Representatives is debating whether to allow President Obama authority to negotiate trade deals for the next 6 years without significant Congressional scrutiny. In what is normally referred to as the ‘fast track’ procedure, the House will be asked to agree a…Read more…
UNISON sorely disappointed that SECC refuse to reinstate Robert O’Donnell
UNISON are sorely disappointed that the SECC have up held their decision to dismiss Robert O’Donnell.
Robert is a gardener for the SECC. He was dismissed on 25 May 2015. UNISON represented him at an internal appeal on 10 June. The decision to uphold the dismissal of Robert O’Donnell for gross misconduct was confirmed today (12 June)
UNISON continue to support Robert O’Donnell. We are concernedRead more…
Can an exercise of will effect political change?
Apologies, but it’s been very hot and muggy all day, and I find that makes me less active and more thoughtful. So it was a good time to read this blog by Kemal Dervis, former economics minister…Read more…
Time for a political consensus on local taxation
The funding of local government in Scotland has been a difficult issue for political parties. At best proposals have been sticking plaster solutions because change is viewed as being politically…Read more…
On the road to nowhere
George Osborne’s ‘march of the makers’ is stuck on the ‘road to nowhere’ warned Unite, as official figures released earlier this week (June 10) showed a decline in manufacturing with output still 4.4…Read more…
No justice, no peace
Campaigners from the Orgreave Truth and Justice campaign (pictured) called a press conference today (June 12) in response to the announcement by the Independent Police Complaints Commission that it…Read more…
Caring for Carers
This week is Carers Week and 2015 has been the year of the carer for ATL, and whether we are talking about adult carers or young carers, many of the same issues have been brought to the fore. At all…Read more…
Firefighters sent home as punishment for going on strike
FBU accuses Essex management of making “bizarre” decision that endangers the publicRead more…