Buffoonery and horseplay … crude characterisation and ludicrously improbable situations. Does the definition of “farce” put you in mind of anything? But the farce that is this Tory…Read more…
Good job UK
Earlier this month we saw the publication of Understanding Society’s Insights 2017 report, which includes new evidence on low pay and work using findings from the UK Household Longitudinal Study….Read more…
A different society
Unite shop floor leaders gathered in Brighton this week to consider the remarkable democratic working-class organisation we have built together. These conferences are a cornerstone of our…Read more…
‘What a mess’
The incompetence of this Tory government is so palpable it is almost embarrassing. It’s an incompetence compounded by a heartlessness to those least able to resist. Chaos at the heart of the…Read more…
The insanity of a no deal Brexit
Gavin Robinson, the DUP MP for East Belfast, didn’t go as far as was trailed by his local media when he asked in parliament whether business secretary Greg Clark had made any approach on the…Read more…
‘Worth fighting for’
The announcement of the closure of the Britvic plant in Norwich and the review by Unilever of its iconic Colman Mustard production has sent shockwaves through Norfolk. Unite, with members at…Read more…
Standing on giant’s shoulders
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey, moved composite 1 on growth and investment – here’s what he said: All motions this week, seek to develop the policy of our Party. But they’re…Read more…
‘Wicked cuts’
Local councils are being bled dry by the government’s manic devotion to austerity. On average councils receive 40 per cent less central funding than they did in 2010. The cuts have not been…Read more…
Why Labour must win
A recent article in The House magazine caught my eye. Tory MP Robert Halfon, the former education minister, was reflecting on the general election outcome. You may remember Halfon as the Tory who…Read more…
‘Kids are going hungry’
It is long past time for a pay rise. The rise of low waged work is widespread. It has also been long-term. For at least 30 years, working people have been getting poorer while those at the top get…Read more…
Trading away the UK
“Can we trust the Tories on trade?” Well the easy answer is – no we can’t! The Tories once spoke about new trade deals ‘putting rocket boosters’ under the UK economy after Brexit. In…Read more…
Courage
Courage can be contagious, Michelle Obama once observed. She was right — we saw it over the summer when Jeremy Corbyn stepped over the smears piled up around him by the Tories, the media and,…Read more…
Labour’s clear strategy
When I worked for ITN during the eighties I would find myself throwing questions at Premier Thatcher and various cabinet members usually outside in Downing Street – decamping to the seaside…Read more…
Divided Scotland
Picture it if you will. You are at a huge wedding reception and 100 guests are assembled in the hotel gardens sipping the Prosecco on offer. The hotel staff wheel out the wedding cake. It is set out…Read more…
What is ‘rolled up’ holiday pay?
Q: I’ve just started a new job at a warehouse via an agency. I’ve been told I’ll get ‘rolled up’ holiday pay. What does this mean? A: When employers (or agencies) refer to ‘rolled up’…Read more…
‘The last resort’
I’ve been working for Birmingham’s refuse service for over 15 years now, or the ‘bins’ as me and my mates call it. I say mates because that’s what my colleagues are. We’re a close knit bunch doing a…Read more…
Tribunal fees win
In 2013 the Tory-led government attacked one of the UK’s most fundamental principles – the ability to pursue justice through the courts. Ministers introduced reforms that meant people looking…Read more…
National debate call
Following the government’s announcement today (July 26) on plans to ban all new petrol and diesel cars from 2040, Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke believes there needs to be a national…Read more…
Beware ‘cashless’ society
Unite’s annual political school in Durham, in the week of the inspirational Miners’ Gala, was one of the best that I had attended. It’s an intense three days. This year was no different in…Read more…
Opportunity to win
This week Theresa May announced the dodgy deal with the DUP to keep her government afloat. The Conservatives’ desire to cling to power has served to illustrate the truth of what many of us…Read more…