Category Archives: Blogs

Impact of austerity policies across EU now toxic

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Tony Burke

The European Trade Union Congress in a report issued this week has warned of the impact austerity policies are having on pay across the European Union. Bernadette Ségol, ETUC general secretary, said such policies will not solve ‘competitiveness’ problems especially … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Economics, Employment Rights, European Trade Unions, Labour Party, Media, Politics, Trade Unions, Unite The Union, Workers Uniting | Leave a comment

BIS slips up on tribunal hearings – the wonder of Wollies!

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Tony Burke

In an important development related to the requirement of an employer to consult on redundancies, a red-faced Department For Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has requested permission to appeal against the recent judgment by the Employment Appeal Tribunal in the … Continue reading →

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Who is to blame for the crisis? Not unions, immigrants or ‘scroungers’

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Tony Burke

By Michael Burke A crisis is an objective fact to which there can essentially be only two responses. The cause can be identified and addressed, or some other explanation can be advanced which effectively shifts the blame for the crisis … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Economics, Labour Party, Politics, Trade Unions | Leave a comment

The State Of The Unions In The USA

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Tony Burke

The following blog was posted by the noted US columnist Harold Meyerson on American Prospect and makes interesting reading, particularly in conjunction with my own recent article in Tribune (also published on Left Foot Forward) which examined the growth of … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Employment Rights, International Trade Unions, Trade Unions, Trades Union Congress, Unite The Union, Workers Uniting | Leave a comment

UPDATED: Unite and the Political Levy – why Ed Miliband’s announcement matters

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Tony Burke

There is some confusion about Unite’s position in relation to the political levy and today’s announcement by Labour leader Ed Miliband. This is because the same words are being used to describe two different things. “Opt in” or “opt out”? … Continue reading →

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Yes, Labour’s selection process has been abused, but not by the unions

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Tony Burke

This week Ed Miliband will spell out his proposals to mend, but not end, the historic relationship between trade unions and the Labour party. Clearly, whatever he proposes will need to be considered seriously. Change is needed, and for reasons that go … Continue reading →

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New EU Compact urges companies to immediately sign Bangladesh Accord

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Tony Burke

A new initiative between the Government of Bangladesh, the European Union and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) today gives full backing to the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Government has pledged to quickly boost employee … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, European Trade Unions, International Trade Unions, Labour Party, Media, Politics, Trade Unions, Unite The Union, Workers Uniting | Leave a comment

Sunday Mirror: Len McCluskey Urges Miliband To “Step back from the brink of ruinous division”

Posted on July 6, 2013 by Tony Burke

Writing in tomorrow’s (Sunday 7th July) Sunday Mirror, the leader of Unite, Len McCluskey urges Ed Miliband to: ‘Step back from the brink of ruinous division’’, not to ‘let the Tories set our agenda’ and that ‘‘it is time to reunite.’ In the piece … Continue reading →

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What Have The Unions Ever Done For Us? US Version

Posted on July 6, 2013 by Tony Burke

At a time when there are siren (and stupid) voices in the Labour Party talking about “breaking the union link” watch this…a US version of an excellent Aussie made video. Think on…..

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Labour And The Unions: “A minority of my Labour colleagues would rather turn the Labour Party into a branch of Sainsbury’s”.

Posted on July 4, 2013 by Tony Burke

By Jim Sheridan Member of Parliament for Paisley and Renfrewshire North. Chair, Unite the Union Parliamentary Group at Westminster  Trade unions – and their relationship with the Labour Party – have been big news this week, whether it be stories about … Continue reading →

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