Category Archives: Blogs

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 →

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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

Tech companies should stop pretending AI won’t destroy jobs

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Tony Burke

The following blog is from MIT Technology Review and puts an alternative view on the current trend by some politicians and techies who argue that automation will  create more and new jobs. Of course there will be ‘new’ jobs – … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Economics, Employment Rights, Politics, The Digital Economy and Unions, Unite The Union, Workers Uniting | Leave a comment

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

Unite Launches Groundbreaking ‘Pay Claim Generator’ To Boost Collective Bargaining

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Tony Burke

Unite, launched a new groundbreakin digital tool to help members to secure better pay deals and help with Collective Bargaining. Unite has dveloped a ‘Pay Claim Generator’ which will help in the fight for increased pay and a fair share … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Economics, Employment Rights, European Trade Unions, International Trade Unions, Media, Trade Unions, Trades Union Congress, Unite The Union | Leave a comment

Fantasy Trade Deals: Welcome To Cloud Cuckoo Land

Posted on January 7, 2018 by Tony Burke

Last weeks latest ‘flight of fancy’ by International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and his Brexit team (cheered on by the pro-Brexit media) that the UK has held informal talks on joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement, if the UK leaves … Continue reading →

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

A Union Voice From Europe

Posted on January 2, 2018 by Tony Burke

By Martin Mayer, UK TUC delegate to EU Economic and Social Committee December 2017  “BREXIT means BREXIT?” Reality check on current status of the BREXIT negotiations On Friday 8th December, Theresa May and Jean-Claude Juncker finally signed the piece of … Continue reading →

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

Barnier’s Slide Shows How The UK Brexit Team Are Running Out Of Trade Deal Options

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Tony Burke

This is a slide presented by Michel Barnier, European Commission Chief Negotiator, to the Heads of State and Government at the European Council (Article 50) on 15th December 2017. Or how the Brexit team and Mrs. May painted themselves into … Continue reading →

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Speech to Unite Manufacturing Delegates, Unite Sector Conferences, November 15th, 2017.

Posted on November 19, 2017 by Tony Burke

Speech to Unite Manufacturing Sector Conference – 15th November 2017 The Challenge of Brexit Conference we meet at a time when manufacturing is being damaged by the Brexit chaos created by a Government who have no idea of how to … Continue reading →

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

Brexit: The EU Thinks We Have A “Cunning Plan”

Posted on August 6, 2017 by Tony Burke

Reports from the EU say some of the EU 27 think that the UK has hatched a cunning plan behind the shambles currently afflicting the Government and our UK negotiating team! This helpful little guide was posted by an “anonymous … Continue reading →

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