UNISON offers transgender members invaluable support in the difficult journey to become themselves
The article Putting the ‘T’ into LGBT first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
UNISON statement on announcement that Chief Constable Sir Stephen House is to stand down from his post in 3 months time
Thursday 27 August 2015This announcement is unsurprising. Chief Constable Sir Stephen House was put in an impossible position. The problems which beset Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Board are not down to one individual. They will not be fixed by his departure.The Scottish government’s arbitary political target of maintaining police officer numbers should be ended, as it is leading toRead more…
Setting up shop
A new kind of UNISON office is adding an extra dimension to the union’s organising
The article Setting up shop first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Sharp in word and politics
The Morning Star has published some more of my Festival reviews. Again, and for obvious reasons, they have amalgamated a number of reviews into one piece here. Here is one of the original reviews -…Read more…
Sign The Petition To Oppose The Watering Down Of Freedom Of Information Act
They don’t want you to read this. David Cameron’s government want to water down the Freedom of Information Act – the law that lets us ask tough questions about what the government does behind closed doors. Their plans are dangerous … Continue reading →Read more…
Intervene before it’s too late
Unite called for government action to help Britain’s steel industry as Tata Steel announced it would be mothballing its Llanwern steel mill with the loss of 250 jobs. Today’s (August 26) job…Read more…
SIPTU members in Dublin Fire Brigade vote for strike action
The Dublin Fire Brigade is currently estimated to be 70 firefighters under strength.Read more…
Will the new Immigration Bill throw foreign students that work too many hours in jail?
The Immigration minister James Brokenshire yesterday announced more details about the forthcoming Immigration Bill. He stated that: “Through our new immigration bill, illegal workers will face the prospect of a prison term and rogue employers could have their businesses closed, have their licences…Read more…
UNISON to continue fight over Employment Tribunal fees in Supreme Court
UNISON has today (Wednesday) vowed to take its battle to the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeal rejected its appeal against the government’s introduction of employment tribunal fees. Describing…Read more…
Festival fights intolerance
A vibrant festival shows that celebrating diversity and fostering equality can be fun and inclusive to everyone in the community. And that was certainly the case on Saturday August 22 when…Read more…
‘Where is ‘Your Survey’?’ asks UNISON Police Staff Scotland
Date: Wednesday 26 August 2015
UNISON has demanded that Police Scotland publish the
results of the Police Staff Survey immediately. This survey is
expected to give a true reflection of how police staff and officers
feel about working in the new single service. UNISON members are angry
that the survey results have been delayed for so long.
Branch secretaryRead more…
Do you know an award-winning young member?
Do you know a young UNISON member who has been involved in effective and innovative campaigning – or is just an outstanding trade unionist?
The article Do you know an award-winning young member?…Read more…
Probation staff set for second strike in England and Wales
Employers walk away from ACAS talks – prompting new strike action on 14 September
The article Probation staff set for second strike in England and Wales first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Prentis pays tribute to NI campaigners over NHS homes
Three-year campaign has helped keep many homes open in Northern Ireland, but threats remain as politicians ‘bicker’
The article Prentis pays tribute to NI campaigners over NHS homes first appeared…Read more…
Time for the government to get its priorities straight
Instead of focusing on helping the country at a turbulent time, the government plans to undermine your right to be supported and represented. Will politicians see sense and drop the Trade Union…Read more…
UNISON Champion – June Poole RIP
I was shocked to hear the sad news that UNISON stalwart, June Poole, has passed away after a short illness. We were supposed to meet yesterday at the UNISON centre in London for a Board meeting of the Welfare Trustees.This meeting was cancelled out of …Read more…
Property Versus People
TOGETHER against evictions. Unite union flags on tenants’ demonstration. Which side is Labour on?
HOUSING campaigners and other friends are going to Lambeth County Court on Friday…Read more…
Speech to Cabinet on “Alternative Finance Proposal for Newham Pension scheme” (Special Purpose Vehicle)
Below is the full version of the speech I gave this afternoon at the crowded Cabinet meeting at Newham Dockside in support of last night’s recommendations by our Overview & Scrutiny Committee.The recommendation was that we should not spend up to £500k on a SPV for the pension fund without the…Read more…
Trade Union Bill and Scotland
The Trade Union Bill is an unwarranted interference in devolved public services and will wreck the modern approach to industrial relations in Scotland.
Today’s STUC conference was a first opportunity…Read more…
‘No Minister’
The independent watchdog given the job of monitoring government legislation by business secretary Sajid Javid has told him his own Trade Union Bill is “not fit for purpose”. The watchdog gave…Read more…