Workplace rights was at the heart of UNISON’s campaign to keep Britain in the EU. We may have lost that argument, but our concerns remain. Before the referendum UNISON members told us that rights at…Read more…
“They are not just heroes within our union – they’re heroes to their communities too”
I’m proud of the job people who work in the health service do 24 hours a day, seven days a week. UNISON will always fight their corner against this government – by any means possible.
The article…Read more…
This Living Wage Week, we must fight for the real Living Wage
This year it’s more important than ever to make a noise about the real living wage – a wage people can actually afford to live on – and calling on the government to put their money where their…Read more…
Qatar – fighting for rights and decent working conditions
We will keep on making ourselves heard on this until the death rate in Qatar’s construction sector is reduced to zero, and workers can freely choose employment. No-one should ever be placed in such…Read more…
This week, lets focus on making work healthy and safe for everyone
UNISON has a proud record of supporting health and safety reps in the workplace, and building positive relationships on these issues with employers – that’s why we’re handing out “High 5’s” to…Read more…
It’s time to talk for a change
Days like today make me so proud to be UNISON, and of everything our activists and members do to make each other’s lives better, alongside helping our communities every single day
The article…Read more…
Reading council should stop dragging its heels on equal pay
Today, Reading council – the only local authority in England and Wales to have never settled an equal pay claim – will face 60 women in court, challenging them to cough up the £1.5 million they…Read more…
Together we can end the injustice of massive pay cuts for those who care for our kids
I will be back in Durham, joining the picket lines on the first day of industrial action and I know the whole of our union will give their support and solidarity to Durham members as they have to…Read more…
The battle for decent pay must be fought both at home and abroad
Today is World Day for Decent Work, when the International Trade Union Confederation marks the day in support of decent work for all people of working age across the globe. This year’s theme is…Read more…
Teaching Assistants deserve better than being pushed into poverty by a Labour council
We’ll continue to fight for and alongside striking staff in Derby to win them the pay deal they deserve. And I want to see Durham teaching assistants voting for strike action too, so we can show…Read more…
Theresa May is not a foolish politician. She knows exactly what she is doing
Politics is not an exercise in wish fulfilment. Actions are what matters. Poverty can’t be willed into extinction merely by asking for it. Nor fairness introduced to the economy through platitudes….Read more…
The spirit of Cable Street must live on today, now more than ever
It’s 80y years since one of the pivotal moments in modern British history: key to the anti-fascist struggle; ky to how our country held firm against the rising tide of hate stalking Europe ; key to…Read more…
Tory conference – more weasel words than workers party
Theresa May entered Downing Street three months ago promising to do things differently. She was going to stand up for working people. She was going to be on the side of ordinary families. It’s a…Read more…
Uniting the Labour Party and winning the next election
As we enter conference season, the Labour Party – and Jeremy Corbyn with his renewed mandate – has an opportunity to show those in the country and the party who are skeptical about his leadership…Read more…
Orgreave: time for justice to be served and the truth to be heard
UNISON has repeatedly called for an independent and thorough investigation into what really happened at the “Battle of Orgreave” during the miners’ strike. The official version of events – put…Read more…
In Derby and Durham, this vital resource is under threat
This week I’ve been at Brighton with unions from across the country at the TUC, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to speak to and on behalf of Derby teaching assistants and other school…Read more…
What kind of way is this to run a decent and compassionate care service?
The blame for the social care crisis must be laid at the government’s door. Ministers must get tougher with enforcing the law so firms aren’t able to cheat their staff. More money must be put into…Read more…
Sports Direct must change their ways
I was proud that as a member of the Trade Union Share Owners group, UNISON was able to play a role in holding Sports Direct to account, by pushing them to allow independent investigation of their…Read more…
We must fight to defend our rights at work outside of Europe – starting today
Before the EU referendum in June, our union and countless others warned of the consequences of leaving the EU. For UNISON members, the EU secures rights at work and at home that protect individual…Read more…
Unhealthy development: How DfID promotes health privatisation
UNISON is calling on DFID to reassess its health strategy and end its support for private healthcare schemes. Instead it should focus on the eradication of poverty, through support for quality public…Read more…