Category Archives: Blogs

Japanese & UK union leaders call for Brexit to deliver for workers in the UK and Japan

Posted on July 31, 2018 by Tony Burke

27 July 2018 The TUC and RENGO (the Japanese Trade Union Confederation) have issued a joint statement highlighting the threat that a bad Brexit deal poses to workers, trade and investment. In the shadow of the G7 Summit expressing concern … Continue reading →

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

Marxists, evangelicals, business executives, working class activists — meet Mexico’s strange new ruling coalition

Posted on July 8, 2018 by Tony Burke

“A good overview by a reporter who knows Mexico’ – Ben Davis, United Steelworkers. By Dudley Althaus, Washington Post, July 6th In winning Mexico’s presidency by a landslide, Andrés Manuel López Obrador is carrying with him into office an untested … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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

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 | 2 Comments

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