UNISON has today (Friday) criticised new government proposals for higher education in England for failing to tackle key issues including funding, student access and increased social mobility….Read more…
‘Out of the blue’
Unite will meet with construction workers at the Air Product renewable energy plant, TV2, in the Tees Valley today (November 6) after yesterday’s shock job loss announcement. Unite, which…Read more…
Cuba – land of problem and promise
Fernando Perez – in Glasgow Saturday!The First Havana/Glasgow Film Festival has started with a bang. The first film La Pericula de Ana, was reportedly a very funny launch, and Conducta – on last…Read more…
Plans for higher education in England are disappointing
UNISON has expressed disappointment at the government’s new plans for higher education in England.
The article Plans for higher education in England are disappointing first appeared on the UNISON…Read more…
Why the Scottish Parliament should demand a Legislative Consent Motion and refuse to comply with aspects of the Trade Union Bill
Calling for the devolution of employment law alone, is not a sufficient response to the Trade Union Bill
The STUC advocates the devolution of workplace protection law to Scotland. This…Read more…
UK exports to China collapse by 40 per cent
UK exports to China appear to have peaked in 2014Q3 at £4.2bn; in 2015Q3 the figure was £2.5bn, a fall of 40 per cent. The chart shows quarterly figures. UK exports to China, £ million The implications for the condition of the Chinese economy are plain. While monthly figures are more volatile,…Read more…
Hanging in the balance
The right to vote is one of the most powerful tools in a democracy. It acts as a great equaliser, enabling any citizen – whether rich or poor, black or white, male or female – to have a say in the…Read more…
Some free bus places for Paris climate demo for members nominated by their branch
UNISON Scotland has a small number of free bus places for the Paris climate rally on 12 December. Please spread the word to interested members.
The Paris event follows key marches in Scotland on Saturday 28 November – the Climate March in Edinburgh, for Climate, Justice and Jobs, and the STUC’s annual St Andrew’s Day march against racism, with its theme this year of Refugees Welcome Here.Read more…
National Minimum Wage must not leave young people behind, says TUC
TUC young workers month is running for the whole of November.* One strand of this work is that the TUC has been campaigning for a higher minimum wage for workers aged up to 25, who are in danger of being left behind by government plans George Osbornes’ plans caused mixed feelings. The TUC was…Read more…
Episode 19: ‘As long as we obey the law’
Sounds familiar? If you work in the hospitality industry you can join www.unitetheunion.org – if you earn less than the Living Wage (£9.15ph in London, £7.85 outside) for just £2.10 per week….Read more…
Are Conservatives ‘now the party of work’? The Trade Union Bill suggests not…
6 November 2015
By Tonia Novitz and Michael Ford, Professors of labour law at Bristol University
This post first appeared on October 12, 2015 on the policybristol website. It analysis the Bill,…Read more…
Lecturers at Open University vote to strike for first time in its history
UCU members concerned at job losses and closure of regional centresRead more…
Activists gather to mock Turtle Bay tipping practice
GMB calls demonstration in Walthamstow this eveningRead more…
The first Indian army VC
In the run up to Remembrance Sunday this is a good time to remember the heroism of Indian Army soldiers, such as Khudadad Khan who was awared the first Indian Victoria Cross in the First World War.
In 1914 Khudadad and his out numbered comrades held o…Read more…
Antrim nurses vote for strike action
UNISON members to take action over staffing shortages that put patients at riskRead more…
Sun states Junior Doctors are on the “Gravy train”
The good news is Murdoch’s Sun readership has halved in just five years
11% pay rise on basic while cutting all allowances actually represents a pay cut
Sun pay lots of money (more than doctors) for third rate journalists (sic)Read more…
The antidote to weariness
I hope it’s ok to be weary sometimes, after a quarter century in the union branch office (with -perhaps deservedly – all too little time off for good behaviour).
I’m weary of (some) youthful Labour Councillors who don’t understand that politics is a game of two sides and that we (the workers and…Read more…
‘Once in a generation’ opportunity
MPs debating the public stake in the Royal Bank of Scotland today (November 5) must ensure the government does not throw away a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to restore trust to Britain’s banks,…Read more…
On the irony of being in London to campaign against the Trade Union Bill during Living Wage week
The new Living Wage rate was announced on Monday and Living Wage week has involved a range of campaigning activities, including events rightly recognising the progress made by some employers in…Read more…
Anything but apathetic
Thousands of young people from across the country gathered in London yesterday (November 4) to protest government plans to slash maintenance grants, a move that would further shut the door on working…Read more…