All the union news that's fit to blog...
Unite delegate Bridie McCreesh called for an overhaul of public sector pay in a powerful address on the last day of Labour conference (Wednesday, September 30). “When are we going to fix public sector pay?” she asked. “Public-sector workers like me, have had enough of pay cuts and falling living standards. We know restoring that […]
The post ‘We all deserve decent pay’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegate David Oladele tried to get in on a debate on a composite on housing and homelessness at Labour Party Conference on Tuesday (September 29) but he was not called to speak. We’ve included his speech below as a comment piece. I have 22 years’ experience working in homelessness services. I have witnessed firsthand […]
The post Tackle housing crisis call appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegate Cecile Wright, attempted to get into the debate on a Women in politics motion but was unsuccessful. Here’s what she’d hope to say. We’ve included it as a comment piece. “Conference, women being threatened for speaking out and speaking up should never happen – but it does. “When women decide to become candidates, […]
The post All women should be heard appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite largely welcomed prime minister Andy Burnham’s speech to Labour Party Conference on Tuesday (September 29). In a wide-ranging and emotionally charged address, Burnham vowed to push through several measures to benefit working people. Some of these included the biggest council housebuilding programme in a generation, an end to poor quality rented homes; legislating to […]
The post ‘Very good vision for the country’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegate Heather Gilfillan made a powerful contribution in a debate on an emergency motion on Glasgow City Council, which has recently threatened 20,000 of its workers with fire and rehire. Heather called the situation in Glasgow “illuminating”, adding that Unite last year had “made it crystal clear” that “fire and rehire must be completely […]
The post ‘Bring our sisters’ pay up’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite members working in the construction products and materials industry highlighted the challenges facing the sector at a packed fringe meeting at the Labour Conference in Liverpool yesterday (28 Sept). As part of a “Reindustrialising the Regions” event organised by the Construction Products Association (CPA) to launch the “Protecting and Growing the Construction Products Sector” […]
The post Campaigning for construction appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegate and local councillor Lesley Mansell, joined in the debate on knife crime referring to her experience in her work with young people. She said she believed that knife crime was not an isolated issue – it was the “direct result of inequality, exclusion and the collapse of youth services caused by 14 years […]
The post ‘Knife crime is not inevitable’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegate Maria Dickenson spoke in support of a composite on buses. Maria, a bus driver from Cardiff said that bus services were an absolute “lifeline for our communities.” She explained. “Young people, pensioners, disabled people and many working-class people are reliant on regular, affordable bus services to go about their daily lives. “These are […]
The post ‘A useful first step’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegate Caroline Price made a powerful intervention in a debate about violence against women and girls at Labour conference on Monday (September 28). Caroline began by welcoming the government’s commitments on the issue but said that they “must be hard-wired into every decision”. She added, “Across all policy areas, we should ask: does this […]
The post ‘Hold perpetrators to account’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham gave a barnstorming speech at Labour conference on Monday (September 28) that received a standing ovation in the hall. Moving a motion on rebuilding an economy for working people, Sharon Graham highlighted that many in the working class, “believe that the best years are behind them”. She explained, “That their […]
The post Working class must believe ‘best days ahead’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegates continued their strong showing at Labour Party Conference on Monday (September 28). You can view highlights from the day in photos below: Unite delegate Dereck Roberts tries to get in on debate Unite delegate Dave Allen raises a point of order Unite GS Sharon Graham and EC Chair Andy Green consider the debate […]
The post Labour Day 2 – in photos appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegate and steel worker Ian Williams seconded a motion on reindustrialising communities on the second day of Labour conference on Monday (September 28). In a powerful contribution, Ian highlighted the crisis in his industry and how it has impacted his local community in South Wales. “Year after year we have witnessed – and warned […]
The post ‘Let’s buy British’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegates at Labour Party Conference were out in full force, both in the hall and at Unite’s stand. Below are highlights from the first day of the conference today (Sunday, September 27). Unite delegate excited to take part in first day of Labour conference Unite member Kevin Hepworth wins award for Outstanding Contribution to […]
The post Labour Day 1 – in photos appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite is back at Labour Party Conference this year, bigger and bolder than ever. Dozens of delegates from Unite – lay members from sectors across the economy, representing the incredible diversity of our union – are in attendance this year. They’ll by moving, supporting and voting on motions that will directly shape Labour Party policy. […]
The post Unite back at Labour conference appeared first on Unite Live.