Preparing a speech to mark the 45 years since the release of the Pentonville Five, I was struck by what the case of the dockers imprisoned in the cause of trade union freedom then tells us about…Read more…
Turning it round
Nothing remains of the old Shirebrook colliery in north-east Derbyshire. The coal mine closed in 1993 and 12 years later the site became the central hub of leisurewear retailer Sports Direct. …Read more…
When not even dignity remains
Bob Evans* wasn’t the only one feeling frustrated with the staff at his local Jobcentre. A fellow claimant wrenched a computer screen off a desk, hurled it across the office smashing a window….Read more…
International Migrants Day – 18 December 2017
“International Migrants Day is an international day observed on 18 December as International Migrants Day appointed by the General Assembly of United Nations on 4 December 2000 taking into account the large and increasing numbe…Read more…
Why are people dropping out of the workforce?
Employment has fallen and real wages are down for the eighth month in a row.Read more…
What is the Working Time Directive that Boris and Gove are plotting to scrap?
We need to reflect on whether we are working to live, or as the cabinet minority seem to want, merely living to work.Read more…
Update on Newham Council London/Olympic/West Ham FC Stadium loses
On Thursday 14 December I was at the meeting of the Newham Council Investment & Accounts meeting.
I had a chance to question the Newham Council Finance Director on matters arising from the joint audit meeting on the 27 September 2017.
At that time we knew that the £40 million loan (& £4.4…Read more…
Oppose Tory Plans To Scrap Your Woking Time Rights
Well, it finally happened. After promising to protect workers rights, the Prime Minister is now under pressure to begin disamantling basic workers rights once we leave the EU with Boris Johnson and…Read more…
Living on a knife-edge – survey reveals what a pay rise would mean to NHS employees
Being able to feed their families, afford dental treatment, repair their cars or pay off debts are some of the things that health workers could afford if the government gave them a decent pay rise,…Read more…
Boris & Gove's plan to scrap holiday rights for millions
The Sunday Times and Sun have today reported plans by ministers – including Michael Gove and Boris Johnson – to scrap the Working Time Directive. Read more…
On International Migrants Day, let’s fight for the rights of undocumented workers
All too often, undocumented workers suffer exploitative working conditions, because the law doesn’t protect their rights at work.Read more…
Who should elect the Leader of the Labour Group?
Comrade Lloyd Russell-Moyle, the recently elected MP for Brighton Kemptown, has written an interesting article proposing that Labour Group Leaders should be elected by the Party membership, rather than simply by Labour Group Members.
Lloyd argues persu…Read more…
Perils of the Rule Book…
As regular readers of this blog (Sid and Doris Retired) will be aware, your humble blogger spent many years as a troublemaker in the ranks of UNISON, during which time (according to no less an authority than the Assistant Certification Officer) I acqui…Read more…
Manifesto Against Blacklisting
A new report published by independent think tank the Institute of
Employment Rights recommends a public inquiry is conducted into the blacklisting scandal, and sets out a Manifesto Against Blacklisting, proposing changes to the law, includin…Read more…
A helping hand from the government (NOT)
Love it.
A clever message by UNISON exposing the hypocrisy of the Government towards the public sector workforce. Read more…
Budget hangover
To use a seasonal analogy, some of us may be feeling the after effects of the office party. Well, the Scottish budget could have a similar effect on public finances later next year.
I have outlined…Read more…
Hands Off Jerusalem!
All Out to Support the Affirmation of the Rights of the Palestinian People! The Palestinian people have risen in a mighty storm, supported by the peoples of the world, against the declaration by U.S….Read more…
Manchester Mears breakthrough?
There are cautious hopes that the long-running strike action involving housing maintenance workers employed by Mears in Manchester could be moving towards a conclusion. The 180 members of…Read more…
Pay deal win
Rolls-Royce workers at Goodwood, West Sussex have overwhelmingly voted to accept a two-year pay deal that will mean an extra seven per cent in their pay packets. Unite, which represents the…Read more…
More Fujitsu strikes?
Up to 300 Unite members in Manchester are to vote on further strike action at IT giant Fujitsu in one of the longest running industrial disputes in the UK. The ballot comes after the failure…Read more…