During the last few weeks numerous stories about insecure workers – whether those working for agencies, on zero-hour contracts or toiling under bogus self-employment – being ripped off or losing…Read more…
No escape
Low-wage work has for many people become a sinkhole from which there may be no escaping, new research has shown. One in five people who were in low-paid roles a decade ago are still barely…Read more…
The case for a Scottish energy company needs greater ambition
The creation of a Scottish public sector energy company is very welcome initiative, but the suggested model lacks ambition and is unlikely to tackle the failed energy market.
On 10 October last…Read more…
End ‘two-tier’ workforce
Unite members working on contracts by Staffline Recruitment Limited at the Pirelli Tyres site in Carlisle have begun balloting for strike action and an overtime ban this week in a dispute over pay…Read more…
Save CITB training call
Members of Unite employed by the Construction Industry Training Boards (CITB) have launched a petition to reverse a decision which would end unique construction skills training in Scotland. As…Read more…
Unite: ‘Stop this scourge’ call
The scandal of umbrella companies siphoning off the hard-earned wages of temporary workers is continuing to grow, despite wide-spread calls for it be halted. Today (May 3) it was revealed that…Read more…
EFJ survey of its communications effectiveness with regard to NUJ members
The EFJ (European Federation of Journalists) is carrying out a survey of the effectiveness of its communications with regard to NUJ members. As members of an NUJ branch, you are kindly asked to take…Read more…
Vote Labour (& Co-operative)
In West Ham Ward, London Borough Newham. You have 4 votes
Thousands of low-paid retail workers are getting stuck, not getting on
Retail is the worst industry in the UK for pay and progression. Government, employers and unions need to work together to deliver better jobs and opportunities for our retail workers.Read more…
East End May Day Rally – Yiddish, Cockney & Bengali Culture mix of Labour Movement Politics & History
After we finished campaigning in our ward, my Labour & Co-operative colleague John Whitworth and I went to the “East End May Day Rally” in East Ham Working Mens Club. This was organised by the Bangladeshi Workers’ Council and the Morning Star.
We …Read more…
London, Newham and West Ham Labour Action team
My favourite 2018 local election campaign picture so far.
After leafletting a local school, we met up with London Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan, Newham Labour Mayoral Candidate, Rokhsana Fiaz together with the rest of the West Ham Ward Labour Action Te…Read more…
‘Swingeing’ Staffordshire cuts
Services for safeguarding vulnerable children and for those suffering from domestic abuse are under serious threat due to the continuing swingeing cuts by Tory-controlled Staffordshire county…Read more…
Fresh Dial-a-Ride strikes
Workers at Dial-a-ride began a second series of strikes yesterday (May 1) after peace talks to resolve the dispute, over the withdrawal of rest days and imposition of new rosters, failed to make…Read more…
Toxic cabin air warning
The senior coroner in the inquest into the death of Matthew Bass, the much loved member of Unite and British Airways’ cabin crew, has taken the significant step of agreeing to write to the chief…Read more…
Bank branch cull
RBS has continued in its relentless drive to decimate its network of bank branches, after it announced this week (May 1) that it would be closing 162 more outlets – resulting in nearly 1,000 job…Read more…
Blog: If there are elections where you are, don’t forget to use your vote
Recent years have shown clearly that our votes do matter, but in local elections – where turnout is traditionally lower than in general elections or referendums – that’s especially true. If those of…Read more…
Marc Wadsworth and “perceived” anti-Semitism
The expulsion of Labour Party member Marc Wadsworth relates to the press conference in June 2016 announcing the results of the Chakrabarti report on anti-Semitism. As with all events it’s best to place them in their historical context. The press …Read more…
May Day West Hammers putting people at the heart of all we do
Picture collage from this evening. Going up and down our many low rise blocks and basement flats are great for fitness (and recording on my google fit apt) but we are now all getting pretty tired.
Some great sky and cat pictures to cheer everyone up m…Read more…
May Day Workplace Disclosure Initiative – “Improving the quality of jobs”.
I went to fascinating (and packed)”May Day” meeting today as a Pension trustee asset owner on the launch of a new report by the “Workplace Disclosure Initiative” on “Improving the quality of jobs”.
One of its recommendations was that there shoul…Read more…
Derivatives, influence, tax, policy etc
One of the things that was left hanging after the Melrose/GKN bid was the nature of the relationship between hedge funds and similar investors and their counter parties, and how this plays out during bid situations.
When I watched Greg Clark defending…Read more…