Category Archives: Trade Unions

VSC Statement On Venezuela’s Presidential Elections

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Tony Burke

Venezuela’s Presidential elections on Sunday May 20th saw Nicolas Maduro re-elected. With 92.6 percent of the votes counted, Maduro had 5.8 million votes (nearly 68%), with his closest rival, former governor Henri Falcón getting 1.8 million votes.  Two other candidates … Continue reading →

Posted in International Trade Unions, Labour Party, Media, Politics, Solidarity, Trade Unions | Leave a comment

Speech at Labour Party State of the Economy Conference, May 19th

Posted on May 20, 2018 by Tony Burke

Tony Burke – ‘Brexit and the post Brexit economy and Labour’s Industrial Strategy’ Intro – Brexit Thank you for the invite to speak today. I would like to start by saying something very briefly about ‘Brexit’. The main objectives for … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Economics, Employment Rights, Labour Party, Media, Politics, The Digital Economy and Unions, Trade Unions, Trades Union Congress, Unite The Union | Leave a comment

Pay the Rate: how the EU is closing the loopholes used to exploit migrant workers – but is it too late for us?

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Tony Burke

By Jude Kirton-Darling Labour MEP – North East England Concerns about free movement and EU migration were amongst the top reasons why many voted to leave in June 2016. Periodically, a dispute has erupted whether wildcat strikes at the Lindsey … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Employment Rights, European Trade Unions, Labour Party, Media, Politics, Trade Unions | Leave a comment

Nick Cohen’s Attack On Unions and Unite in The Observer

Posted on March 11, 2018 by Tony Burke

Nick Cohen’s astonishing and unprecedented attack in The Observer today on trade unions and in particular Unite cannot go unanswered. His assertion that Unite is at the root of the ‘intrigue’ which is creating the trade union movement’s troubles and … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour Party, Media, Trade Unions, Unite The Union | Leave a comment

Betty Tebbs: 84 years of activism

Posted on March 9, 2018 by Tony Burke

Published on the TUC 150 website celebrating great women trade unionists – Betty was one of the best. She was a teenage activist In 1932, 14-year-old Betty turned up on the first day of her job at the East Lancashire … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, International Trade Unions, Politics, Trade Unions, Trades Union Congress, Unite The Union | Leave a comment

Corbyn To Slam Tories On Short Termism, GKN Takeover Bid and Brexit

Posted on February 20, 2018 by Tony Burke

Speaking at the EEF – The Manufacturers’ Organisation Conference today, 20th February Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, will pledge to stand up to bankers to rebalance the economy in favour of jobs and industry. He will declare that … Continue reading →

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

IG Metall secures far reaching pay and conditions deal in Germany

Posted on February 10, 2018 by Tony Burke

“Workers’ priorities have shifted. Instead of higher wages, work-life balance is now in focus” On 5th February the giant German metal and engineering workers union IG Metall reached a ‘ground-breaking’ national sectoral pay and conditions agreement with engineering employers in … Continue reading →

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Unite South East Sponsor ‘Jazz For Labour’ With Courtney Pine Gig

Posted on February 3, 2018 by Tony Burke

Unite South East Region is sponsoring a unique ‘Jazz For Labour’ event on 3rd March when legendary jazz musician Courtney Pine will be playing in concert in the Leatherhead Theatre. Pine will be playing a full set encompassing the 30 … Continue reading →

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

This corporate takeover will show whether May is really committed to an industrial strategy

Posted on February 3, 2018 by Tony Burke

The government must reject the buy-out of a key manufacturing firm if they are serious about protecting UK manufacturing. When Theresa May first promised a new Industrial Strategy for UK manufacturing, she claimed to be following in the footsteps of her political hero Joseph Chamberlain. … Continue reading →

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Ivan Beavis – A Legend & A Hero

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Tony Burke

Yesterday I was privilaged to attend the funeral of a friend and comrade, the legendary Ivan Beavis, former circulation manager at the Morning Star, trade unionist, music collector, Man United fan, gig goer, and socialist. The ninety minute ‘event’ (Yes … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, European Trade Unions, International Trade Unions, Labour Party, Media, Politics, Solidarity, Trade Unions, Trades Union Congress, Unite The Union | 1 Comment