Category Archives: Economics

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

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 →

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It’s even worse than was thought

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Tony Burke

By Michael Burke First published on the Socialist Economic Bulletin The latest GDP release from the Office For National Statistics was accompanied by a set of revisions to previous data. These now show that the downturn was more severe than … Continue reading →

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Back The Bill To Curb Legal Loan Sharks

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Tony Burke

Unite is backing Paul Blomfield’s bill to curb legal loan sharks. The good news is the bill has already had its first reading, but now the hard work starts. On Friday 12th July the bill has its second reading in the House … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Labour Party, Media, Politics, Solidarity, Trade Unions, Trades Union Congress, Unite The Union, Workers Uniting | Leave a comment

Why do we have ‘austerity’ and what is the alternative?

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Tony Burke

By Michael Burke The national launch of the People’s Assembly Against Austerity is a very welcome development. It brings together a number of the largest unions, anti-cuts group and political forces both inside and outside the Labour Party in opposition to austerity … Continue reading →

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Miliband’s Alternative To “Osborne’s Punishing Experiement”

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Tony Burke

In the coverage of Ed Miliband’s speech at Newham Dockside yesterday, the sections of the speech on the world of work received only minimal media coverage. These included the abuses meted out to agency workers; topping up low paid workers … Continue reading →

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Class In Liverpool & Leeds

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Tony Burke

With the Coalition Government and their programme of austerity and tax cuts for millionaires, it is time that someone ensured that the political agenda was on the side of working people and that policy development branched outside of the Westminster … Continue reading →

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

UK Union Membership Grows

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Tony Burke

Trade Union membership rose by 59,000 to 6.5 million  last year according to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills report published this week. The increase is the first since 2003 and was driven by an increase in membership among workers … Continue reading →

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Bangladesh Garment Tragedy: Gap Hold Out On Union Safety Deal

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Tony Burke

Four hours to deadline and US retailer Gap Inc’s are still refusing to sign the agreement designed to improve safety conditions in Bangladesh’s garment factories. They are rightly being condemned by politicians, unions and charities. Those who have signed up … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, International Trade Unions, Labour Party, Media, Politics, Trade Unions, Trades Union Congress, Unite The Union, Workers Uniting | Leave a comment

German Metalworkers Strike 5.6% Pay Deal

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Tony Burke

Germany’s giant IG Metall union has agreed to a staged wage deal in Bavaria which will see wages in the metalworking and electrical engineering industries rise 5.6% over the next 20 months. The agreement in the southern German state was secured … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, European Trade Unions, Media, Politics, Trade Unions | Leave a comment