Commenting on the complete absence of help in the Autumn Statement for social care or the NHS, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Hopes were raised the Chancellor would conjure up extra…Read more…
Autumn Statement: The government is spreading the ‘jam’ far too thinly
Aside from those on the very lowest wages, the pay misery for school, hospital and town hall staff goes on. The government’s stubborn refusal to end the one per cent pay cap means wages are lagging…Read more…
#AutumnStatement: Chancellor goes a little way to meet his investment challenge
Today the Chancellor has finally recognised that spending on infrastructure strengthens the economy. Measures the TUC has long called for were announced, including more cash for housing, high speed broadband, rail and roads. Overall the Chancellor’s measures amounted to £23bn, a big sounding…Read more…
#AutumnStatement: Working people are facing a hit of £1000 per year by 2020
The OBR figures released today for the Autumn Statement showed lower economic growth translating into lower wage growth for the next four years. On top of this, weaker sterling has translated into significantly higher inflation, especially in 2017. For…Read more…
The government has spread the ‘jam’ far too thinly, says UNISON
Commenting on the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement today (Wednesday) UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Despite all the rhetoric, the previous Chancellor’s austerity plan is still very much…Read more…
The #AutumnStatement chose corporate tax cuts over the pay rise Britain’s workers need
In the details of Philip Hammond’s Autumn Statement came a worrying confirmation for those of us campaigning for a pay rise for Britain’s workforce. The Autumn Statement’s accompanying OBR forecast shows that the average annual wage will be £1,000 lower in 2020 than predicted at…Read more…
How much of a risk do new cleaning agents pose to you?
UNISON survey aims to find out scale of problem in wake of concerns over rise in superbugs
The article How much of a risk do new cleaning agents pose to you? first appeared on the UNISON National…Read more…
10 barriers autistic workers face and how to overcome them
Most autistic people want to work, but often encounter difficulties in the workplace which employers can address better. Author and workplace trade union representative Janine Booth, who is on the…Read more…
Support the Kinsley Three – Solidarty Gig 3 December
“3 school cleaners on strike because C&D Cleaning Services cut our pay & conditions and refused to recognise our union…Read more…
We must care for the NHS as it has cared for so many of us
Long waits for both routine and essential NHS care are becoming increasingly common – whether someone is trying to see a GP or a specialist – and yet the Tory mantra remains the same. Like ostriches…Read more…
‘Pothole’ nation?
Speculation over what chancellor Phillip Hammond will unveil in his Autumn Statement on Wednesday (November 23) is running high, but one thing is certain – infrastructure spending will be a top…Read more…
‘Kind words and false promises’
Shameless Theresa May has ruled out installing worker representatives on company boards, just four months after her pledge to do so. The Prime Minister, who after her appointment as Tory…Read more…
‘Sickening blow’
News that crane and plant hire specialist Hewden is going into administration was described as a ‘sickening blow’ by Unite as it today (November 22) pledged to fight to secure as many jobs as…Read more…
‘We are all Daniel Blake’ protest
Members of Unite Community’s West London branch will stage a ‘We are all Daniel Blake’ protest outside four west London job centres tomorrow (November 23) from 11am, as part of a day of action…Read more…
Schools to close as Durham teaching assistants take second two-day strike action
More than 100 primary schools across County Durham will be affected tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday as teaching assistants strike for a second time in a long-running dispute over cuts to their pay….Read more…
Lessons unlearned
Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that the UK will have the “lowest corporate tax rate in the G20” ahead of her government’s first Autumn Statement, while Chancellor Philip Hammond hinted that…Read more…
Chancellor should ensure more money for a fairer deal on migration
Yesterday the TUC released a report calling on the Chancellor to use the Autumn Financial Statement on Wednesday to significantly increase the amount going to a Migration Impacts Fund so that areas that have experienced industrial decline, cuts to services and significant recent increases in…Read more…
5 tips for union reps to support disabled workers
I have been a trade union rep for almost a decade and am now the policy officer for disability equality at the TUC. I have also had reasonable adjustments myself. Disability History Month (#UKDHM) is…Read more…
Women are being held back by unrewarding, low-paid, part-time work
Despite some progress, women still take the lion’s share of domestic and family responsibilities. Over 40% of women, compared to just 12% of men, work part-time. This is part of the reason that progress on closing the gender pay gap has been so painfully slow. There are far too few opportunities to…Read more…
Cutbacks leaving LGBT people without specialist mental and sexual health support
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are facing long waits for appointments at gender identity clinics and being denied specialist mental health counselling because of cutbacks, says…Read more…