Category Archives: Blogs

The Logic Of Privatisation Of The East Coast Mainline

By Michael Burke The Coalition government has announced its intention to privatise the East Coast mainline rail network. The network was nationalised 3 years ago when the previous private operators discontinued their franchise because they could not make a profit. … Continue reading

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On Jack Jones’ Centenary

March 29th sees the centenary of Jack Jones, the greatest trade union leader of his generation. Born in Garston, Liverpool in 1913, Jones grew up in poverty. He obtained an engineering apprenticeship but lost his job following the Wall Street … Continue reading

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Chavismo Set for Another Election Victory – Will Venezuela’s Right-Wing Coalition Accept This?

By Lee Brown In three weeks time, Venezuelan’s will vote in their first Presidential contest for 15 years without Hugo Chávez. But Chavismo is set to record yet another victory. There are two frontrunners. Nicolas Maduro, Chávez’s favoured successor, and … Continue reading

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Newspaper Deal: It Was Ed What Won It

One thing is clear from the outcome of the negotiations to secure a deal on Leveson – politically it was Ed Miliband who delivered the deal. Never mind the platitudes of “there being no winners” this was a slam dunk … Continue reading

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Launch Rally: Campaign for Trade Union Freedom

This weekend sees the launch rally of the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom on March 23rd. Formed in December 2012 by a merger between Liasion Commmittee for the Defence of Trade Union and the Campaign for the Repeal of the Anti Trade … Continue reading

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A Woman of Steel Is…..

Video from last weeks USW Women Of Steel Conference in Pittsburgh Rose Ann Woman of Steel

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Lecture at University of Toronto – Global Unions

Sefton Lecture, University of Toronto, 7th March 2013   Tony Burke, Unite Assistant General Secretary “Labour’s Responses to Globalisation – Alternative Forms Of Organisation” Why Unite and the USW created Workers Uniting – the Global Union First of all can … Continue reading

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Shock manufacturing contraction leaves Osborne’s credibility in tatters

Figures published yesterday, (March 1st) showed a shock contraction in manufacturing which rounded off another dire week for the UK economy and signalled yet more misery for ordinary working families at the hands of government austerity. The Markit/CIPS purchasing mangers’ … Continue reading

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A falling pound will lower the living standards of workers and the poor

By Michael Burke  The British pound has begun to fall once more on the international currency markets. It may be further helped on its way by the loss of the AAA credit rating. This will have important domestic economic consequence. The … Continue reading

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Len McCluskey is on your side – Get The Vote Out!

Len McCluskey has secured almost 1100 nominations in his campaign to be re-elected Unite General Secretary. The nominations come from every region of Unite and from every one of Unite’s sectors. I am pleased that many nominations came from Unite’s … Continue reading

Posted in Blogs, Employment Rights, European Trade Unions, International Trade Unions, Labour Party, Media, Politics, Solidarity, Trade Unions, Unite The Union, Workers Uniting | 2 Comments