All the union news that's fit to blog...
Following Labour leader Keir Starmer’s address to Unite’s policy conference on Thursday (July 13), Unite delegates asked Starmer pointed questions about what a future Labour government would do in power. Unite delegate Steve Surtees (pictured above), a steelworker at Port Talbot, challenged Starmer to outline in detail what he would do as a future prime […]
The post ‘Together we can do this’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Labour leader Keir Starmer addressed Unite delegates on Wednesday afternoon saying, “It’s a real privilege to address you at such a pivotal moment in our country.” He thanked the Unite executive and Sharon Graham, “the first female general secretary of Britain’s biggest private sector union.” He said that he knew from their regular meetings that, […]
The post ‘A Britain with its future back’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Every day over the Christmas period, UniteLive is running a different story from our top stories of 2023. Today, we look back at Unite general secretary Sharon Graham’s barnstorming speech at Unite’s Policy Conference in July. — Wednesday morning’s conference highlight was always going to be Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary’s keynote speech. The hall […]
The post UniteLive stories of the year – ‘This is what a winning union looks like’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegates held a passionate debate about the necessity of workers’ rights to adequate sanitary facilities on the second day of policy conference on Wednesday (July 12). Unite delegate Tracie Clugston (pictured above), who seconded a composite, spoke of her experience as a female bus driver, and said that it was “so frustrating” that in […]
The post The right to dignity appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite policy conference engaged in a wide-ranging debate with many speakers about how automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are already having a huge impact on the workplace – an impact that will only deepen in the months and years to come. Unite delegate Wayne Morgan (pictured above) moved the composite of motions, while Unite delegate […]
The post The future world of work is now appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegates agreed a motion on the second day of conference on Wednesday (July 12) to promote the idea of ‘sourcing, buying, and manufacturing locally’. The motion was moved by Unite delegate Mick Joyce (pictured main) and delegate Steve Phillips seconded the motion (pictured below). They highlighted that if companies, organisations and governments at all […]
The post Sourced, bought and manufactured locally appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegate Paul Maullin moved a motion on the future of manufacturing, which included a debate on Brexit, new technology and collective bargaining on the second day of policy conference on Wednesday (July 12). Conference agreed that manufacturing is facing parallel crises, from the ongoing disruption of Brexit to the transition to low carbon industries. […]
The post Future of manufacturing appeared first on Unite Live.
Composite 2 on co-ordination of industrial action was moved Northern Ireland Hospitality Branch delegate Chris Stewart (pictured above) on the effectiveness of how taking action at the same time can make a massive difference. He said, “With the upsurge in industrial action following attacks on wages, there is an immense power working class people have.” […]
The post Taking industrial action appeared first on Unite Live.
‘Raising pay for everyone’ was a motion submitted by agricultural branch Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and moved by Davorin Dobrovic. Davorin referred to TUC’s plan ‘Raising Pay for Everyone’ which centres around a plan for a high wage economy and a £15 minimum wage. The motion also called on conference to call on the TUC […]
The post Raising pay for everyone appeared first on Unite Live.
On the first day of Unite’s policy conference on Tuesday (July 11), Unite delegate Cecile Wright of the Unite Nottinghamshire NHS branch in the East Midlands moved a motion on rebuilding and protecting the NHS. Delegates noted the difficulty patients now have in getting GP appointments, dental care and emergency or elective hospital care, as […]
The post Rebuild and protect the NHS appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite delegates put forward a series of motions at Unite Policy conference on Tuesday (July 11) as part of a wider strategy to fight back against Tory trade union laws, including the government’s most recent Strikes (Minimum Services) Bill, which is set to become law in a matter of weeks. One of the delegates moving […]
The post ‘Now more than ever we need solidarity’ appeared first on Unite Live.
On the first day of Unite’s policy conference on Tuesday (July 11) Unite delegate Heather Gilfillan from Scotland highlighted the importance of public services as she moved a motion on a public services minimum wage of £15 an hour. Heather told conference of media reports every day showing public services on its knees, facing massive […]
The post Public services minimum wage call appeared first on Unite Live.
The new chair of Unite’s Executive Council (EC) Andy Green opened Unite’s Policy Conference on Tuesday (July 11). Andy paid tribute to the outgoing EC chair Tony Woodhouse, as he highlighted the major issues facing Unite members now, including the cost of living crisis, profiteering, and Tory anti-trade union laws hindering the fundamental right to […]
The post ‘Commitment, passion and respect’ appeared first on Unite Live.
Unite has voted to back proportional representation for Westminster elections. The decision was taken at the Unite Policy Conference in Liverpool which closed today, October 22, after a week of Unite…Read more…
Unite members from across the UK took part today (October 22) in Wear Red Day – the educational charity Show Racism the Red Card’s (SRtRC) national day of action. The charity has called on all of its…Read more…
In a nationwide driver action set for November 1, Unite has called for sector bargaining to bring order to chaos in the lorry driver industry. The country’s leading union for HGV drivers has…Read more…
In her closing remarks to Unite policy conference on Friday (October 22) Unite general secretary Sharon Graham heralded the huge success of the week’s debates and discussions and issued a call to…Read more…
Labour MP and former shadow employment rights secretary Andy McDonald addressed Unite’s policy conference on Wednesday (October 20) calling for a new deal for working people. McDonald thanked Unite’s…Read more…
Unite has celebrated a number of bus dispute victories resulting in significantly improved pay offers after members stood together and threatened strike action. Dozens of bus drivers and cleaners…Read more…
Former Unite general secretary Len McCluskey addressed conference today, October 20. In his final speech he particularly thanked Tony Woodhouse, Unite EC chair and his successor, general secretary…Read more…