Governments must do more to reduce energy bills by improving the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings.
MPs on the Westminster Energy and Climate Change Committee report that the energy…Read more…
How much does the Canadian government want a trade deal with the EU?
Before the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the USA comes the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada. It has been ‘agreed’ several times, but it’s not over yet. And it’s still seriously deficient…Read more…
Looking forward – further education pay campaign
Following the UNISON in colleges one-day strike over pay on 24 February, UNISON’s further education committee met last week and has put out the following statement: The FE & 6th Form Committee…Read more…
‘A credible alternative’
Labour’s announcement of a fiscal responsibility rule to drive investment and tackle the deficit has drawn praise from eminent economists, as well as Unite’s general secretary Len McCluskey. …Read more…
Don’t tell young people that unemployment, low pay and insecure work are good for them
The way in which young workers (or want-to-be workers) is discussed in the media and public debate is something which frequently grates on me, and I can’t be the only young person who feels like this. The article “jobs for the boys and girls” in this week’s Economist was no…Read more…
TUC Budget Statement: Fiscal consolidation has failed. Make it stop.
In their June 2010 Budget the coalition expected the economy over 2010-2015 to grow in cash terms by 29%; instead it grew by only 20%. This amounts to a cash shortfall of £140bn (on the basis of today’s NA definitions, as on the chart). £140bn is a big number that reflects a double hit,…Read more…
Britain, EU and NATO Are Culpable for the Refugee Crisis
Prime Minister David Cameron has been widely condemned for his government’s approach to the refugee crisis that has engulfed Europe. One former senior politician referred to what he called an…Read more…
Government to Ban Political Strike
Government seeks High Court ban on sixth-form strike. Strike plans by sixth-form college teachers are “unlawful”, the Government will argue in the High Court later. Teachers are to be…Read more…
A social pillar to shore up Europe’s cracking foundations
Last week the European Commission suddenly woke up to the needs of working people. After years of almost no initiatives in the social and employment fields, reinforcing the perception of the EU as just a business club, we got something to deal with the pay of workers temporarily sent to work in…Read more…
What’s changed about attitudes to free trade?
I’ve already blogged once about the Wilton Park conference I attended recently on the subject of the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP) in terms of the impact of investor…Read more…
USA & right-wingers: looking for regime change in Venezuela?
Last week, Venezuela’s right-wing opposition launched a new campaign to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power, including by calling for his immediate resignation. The last campaign to oust the…Read more…
The Letting Agencies rip-off
“The problems of high cost and poor standards are not confined to a few “rogue” agencies but are widespread across the industry. Many of the complaints we and other organisations have heard do not only relate to egregiously poor practice by a minority of agencies, but are widespread, and related to…Read more…
LOBOs are a National Scandal
Last week there was extensive coverage in the Standard and Independent on the UK LOBOs scandal. I have posted before on LOBOs (see labels)
Yesterday the Independent published a new report that John Mann MP and Chair of select committee, Clive Betts MP…Read more…
The UK economy is £140bn smaller than the Chancellor planned, says the TUC
The UK economy is £140bn smaller than the government predicted in 2010, according to new analysis published today (Sunday) by the TUC in its Budget statement. The analysis shows that the economy has…Read more…
Private Eye, EU referendums and the Role of Coincidence
Chance and coincidence can be a bit weird and unsettling but you have to accept that it just happens from time to time.
This morning in Newham, by chance I spotted a bundle of papers including musical scores dumped next to a communal recycling b…Read more…
March Scotland in UNISON out now
Council job cuts: Yes it is thousands; Fundamental review of council funding needed; Winning no compulsory redundancy pledges;£1m won for personal injuries; Keeping up the fight against the Anti-Union Bill; COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS 2016 Standard of entries ‘absolutely tremendous’; Changing everything – climate film and more; Young members launch award winning anti-bullying guide; UNISON’s RazaRead more…
Don’t let the curtain fall on English National Opera. Support the striking singers
The professional singers who make up the Chorus of the English National Opera are starting a campaign of industrial action today. They’re protesting drastic plans by ENO management to cut jobs…Read more…
Everyone wins with greater energy efficiency, says UNISON
Commenting on the report published today (Saturday) by the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis said: “Rather than sit on the sidelines and watch as jobs…Read more…
“Death of the Race Equality Movement”: Community Conference 2016
Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE …Read more…
‘No pay, no way’
A consultative ballot of Unite members working for Hertel, the global industrial services company, on the Conoco Philips oil refinery site on Teesside is on the cards after the company’s zero…Read more…