All the union news that's fit to blog...
#STUC16 TUC president Liz Snape called for the STUC and TUC to continue to work together ‘to protect our future and fight for our people’ as she addressed Congress this morning.
Liz, who is also a UNISON depute general secretary, said: “Congress, be in no doubt our fortunes and our future will rise or fall as one. And it falls to us – to our generation – to protect our future and fight for ourRead more…
‘Now at least UNISON can concentrate on campaigning to protect public sector employees at work and the services they deliver’
The article Government withdraws plan to stop check-off for subs payment…Read more…
#STUC16 The STUC is to launch a campaign promoting the employment rights the EU has delivered for working people and will oppose attempts to ‘water down the benefits of a Social Europe.’
It also rejected calls to campaign to leave the EU.
Backing the USDAW motion, UNISON NEC member Gordon McKay explained why the union’s leadership had decided to campaign in the referendum to stay in the EURead more…
On 27 April MPs vote on the final Trade Union Bill and decide whether to accept amendments made by Peers.Read more…
Collage is from my last 3 canvassing sessions in West Ham ward, Stratford and Forest Gate North. Our MP Lyn Brown joined us at Stratford. A positive response for Labour and Sadiq as you might expect but also for remaining in the EU (when we remember to…Read more…
https://www.unison.org.uk/news/press-release/2016/04/unison-welcomes-government-change-of-heart-over-check-off/
Although (of course) I am not in the front rank of those who will praise UNISON’s leadership (albeit I am consistently clear that our General Secretary has done no wrong – and that I am…Read more…
This is a change that wasn’t in the interest of public service workers, employers or those who rely upon the services they provide. I’m glad that the government have seen sense at this late…Read more…
We’re nearing the end of the parliamentary process of the controversial Trade Union Bill. It has been a bruising experience for the government, lasting longer than they had hoped, and with a successions of embarrassments, defeats and concessions along the way. Much is still up for grabs, but…Read more…
#STUC16 The STUC will campaign for the new Scottish Government to provide colleges with sufficient funding to return to meeting the full range of educational needs in their local communities.
It will also call for the protection of, or improvement in, the terms and conditions of college staff.
UNISON’s James Corry, backing the Fife TUC motion, asked Congress to celebrate the recent lecturers’Read more…
#STUC16 Disabled young people are massively under-represented in apprenticeships and Congress delegates backed a wide-ranging campaign to address the difficulties they face, to support their educational attainment and to make sure more can access apprenticeships.
Supporting the motion UNISON’s Morag Houston told delegates that times are hard for all our young people – but they are doubly hardRead more…
Commenting on the announcement in the Lords today (Tuesday) that the government is no longer to stop unions from collecting members’ subs via their pay packets, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis…Read more…
First it was cuts to tax credits, then the raid on disability benefits – and now measures in the Housing Bill are facing defeat. The government’s proposed policies, all taking aim at those who are…Read more…
#STUC16 The STUC condemned cuts to education which so often follow on from council cuts, especially attacks on support staff numbers which damage the learning experiences of our most vulnerable young people and called for action to protect education funding.
Supporting the SSTA motion, UNISON’s Susan Kennedy pointed out that the Scottish Government continues with their commitment to providingRead more…
#STUC16 The STUC will press the Scottish Government to adequately fund the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and to properly staff their control rooms, currently being cut from eight to three.
UNISON Police Staff’s George McIrvine spoke in support of the FBU motions and drew parallels with the move to a single police force in Scotland.
He pointed out that, like Police Scotland, the primaryRead more…
The committee, which covers the Graphical, Paper, Media & IT industries, met Monday and Tuesday. This is a summary of some key points. I’ve not included most of the industrial detail (and some other points) in my report because not everything is appropriate to post publicly. For jargon, see…Read more…
The so-called National Living Wage, first announced last year, was offered up as proof that the Tory government was, in fact, on the side of working people. “We back work,” said prime minister…Read more…
#STUC16 The STUC will press the incoming Scottish Government to back Shelter Scotland’s campaign for a radical programme to build more affordable and social rent homes. It will also campaign for such a building programme to create directly employed construction jobs and apprenticeships.
Supporting, UNISON’s Mark Ferguson told delegates that it is a national scandal that estimates show thereRead more…
#STUC16 The STUC will call for an independent enquiry into PFI/PPP funding models for public sector building work, as well as into the Edinburgh schools contracts which has led to such disruption for pupils, families and staff.
Seconding an emergency motion from the EIS, UNISON’s Susan Kennedy told delegates that the issues raised around PPP by what has happened in Edinburgh go well beyond aRead more…
Jobs and public services – the most important issues at the elections on 5 May
The article Use your vote on 5 May first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Labour council raises pay for lowest-paid staff to £8.39 per hour
The article UNISON congratulates Merthyr Tydfil council’s wage rise decision first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…