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What's life like for young health and safety reps?
The role of union health and safety rep has often been considered one that only members with decades of experience can fulfil. Now, more young trade union members are seeing the benefit of taking on the role – the important rights and responsibilities it brings, and the opportunity to organise for change.
Problem Gambling - a trade union issue
Over the last 15 years the gambling industry has changed beyond recognition. Since the passing of the 2005 Gambling Act the sector has grown at an alarming pace.
How men are taught that their mental health doesn’t matter - we can change that
How men are taught that their mental health doesn’t matter - we can change that
The five-week wait for first payment of universal credit is unnecessary and unacceptable
As more people are forced onto universal credit in the pandemic, the government must act now to end the wait.
This Young Workers Month, let’s remember the importance of young people in trade unions
Today marks the start of Young Workers Month. Alex Graham, chair of the TUC Young Workers Forum tells us what we can expect during November.
Five ways to clamp down on modern slavery
Five years after companies became subject to new modern slavery laws, workers still experience extreme exploitation in many parts of the UK economy.
BME women trade unionists must be at the forefront of today’s fight for equality
We need urgent action to combat the racism and discrimination BME women face in the workplace - and to prevent a roll back of hard-won rights and progress at work.
Key workers keep the country running through the night – they deserve better pay and conditions
Night workers keep our services running at great personal cost. It’s time the government recognises the sacrifices they make and levels up their working conditions.
Levelling up the UK: the role of state aid
Time is running out for the government to agree a trade deal with the EU – with state aid rules a major sticking point. We need an approach which supports the UK’s industrial policy and ensures workers’ rights remain in line with the EU.
Government attacks on TFL are a danger to our entire public transport system
Londoners must not be punished for taking vital measures during the pandemic to keep the system running and to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Covid-19 Firebreak in Wales: what it means for you
Firebreak lockdown regulations will be introduced in Wales from 23 October. Find out everything you need to know about the lockdown and what your rights are as a worker.
Government survey shows sharp rise in employers not offering any training
New statistics reveal a large increase in the proportion of employers not providing any training to workers. The government should give everyone a ‘right to retrain’, to ensure workers can avoid being trapped in unemployment.
Union learning is needed more than ever
The Union Learning Fund (ULF) is a crucial program which provides access to education for workers. But a recent move from the government to revoke its £12 million budget means the future of union learning is at serious risk.
What can we do about Amazon’s treatment of its workers?
If Amazon will not do better for its workers, then unions and governments at all levels must work together to make sure they do.
How to resist the 'resilience' narrative – and organise for less stressful work
If we want to combat harmful work-related stress, we need to start by changing work, not ourselves.
GDP recovery takes a set back
New figures released today showed the pace of the recovery slowing into August, just as more local lockdowns and further restrictions seem likely.
Eat out to Help out in August has exaggerated growth into August, with recovery in several industries stalling or taking a set-back.
Local lockdowns require local furlough schemes
The government needs to move swiftly to safeguard jobs in areas facing stricter local lockdowns.
The Equality Act - more needs to be done
The Equality Act can protect people's livelihoods and their health. We must work to ensure it is properly implemented, improved and enforced.
Black History Month: Let’s choose joy
I think we can all agree that 2020 has been quite a year. The Covid crisis has shown us more clearly than ever that, even if we're all in the same sea, some of us are in very different boats. And some of us are floating in the water just trying our best not to go under.
To tackle unemployment, we urgently need a ‘right to retrain’
Adult skills spending has fallen off a cliff during the last decade. We need an expansive retraining programme that will support unemployed people to get the skills they need to return to employment.
The new job scheme is important – but ministers will need to do far more
The short-time working scheme announced by Rishi Sunak is an important step. But let’s be clear: it’s just one piece in the jigsaw of support we need.
Learning Welsh at work: proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks
All my adult life I’ve made excuses about why I didn’t speak Welsh like “I didn’t learn it in school” or “my family didn’t speak Welsh”. I was embarrassed every time I was asked. But the truth was the real reason I didn’t speak Welsh was that I had never bothered to learn.
Short-time working scheme - a win for unions
Workers at firms hard hit by the coronavirus lockdown are to continue to get wage subsidies, after the government bowed to pressure from trade unions and others.
Employment tribunals need resources, not a sticking plaster
The government has announced a mixed bag of reforms to the creaking tribunal system, but only significant investment will ensure working people receive timely access to justice.
An unemployment crisis is coming. The government must act now to prevent it
With a big drop in employment since the start of the pandemic, the government must do more to avert an unemployment crisis later this year.
The government must give key workers a pay rise and tackle insecure work
Through the minimum wage and public sector pay awards the government controls the pay of more than six million key workers. They must give them a pay rise.
A public sector jobs drive can stop mass unemployment and power an economic recovery
Creating public sector jobs could pave the way to economic recovery and prevent mass unemployment.
GDP rebound continues but very mixed story by industry
GDP shows the economy continuing to come back as the lockdown was eased, but many industries still with massive ground to make up, and danger ahead as the furlough scheme ends.
