Deal - of a sort - on fishing
In spite of threats from the French government, agreement has been reached on licences for French fishermen to fish in British territorial waters, within the 6 to 12 mile limit.
News
News
'Reclaim our time' in uni fight
After three days of national strike action from 1-3 December members of UCU, the university workers union, have now moved to a “reclaim our time” campaign underpinned by a form of working to hours.
Hospitals: Scientists strike
Biomedical scientists working for East Lancashire NHS Trust started a third period of strike action on 15 December in their pay dispute with the employer.
Scotland: Energy surrender
20 December 2021
In the latest abandonment of energy sources in Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pressed the button to blow up the chimney of Longannet power station on 9 December.
London Transport: the big battle begins
15 December 2021
London Transport union RMT has begun balloting over 10,000 members after Transport for London refused to give assurances on jobs, pensions and conditions in the midst of an ongoing financial crisis driven by central government.
University workers on the picket lines in pensions fight
2 December 2021
Support is growing for the university staff action over pensions, pay and working conditions taking place at campuses across the country, with picket lines swelling.
Shhh! Don’t mention Britain’s role in the bombing of Yemen...
2 December 2021
What the UN has called the greatest humanitarian disaster in the world is taking place more than 3,500 miles away in Yemen – aided by billions of pounds of arms sales from Britain.
Sheffield refuse workers pay victory
29 November 2021
Refuse workers in Sheffield working for Veolia have won an important victory on pay at a time when real wages are being hit by increased inflation.
Social care – still at risk
28 November 2021
Social care is far from fixed. Sector trade union Unison reports dangerous staffing levels and many care workers thinking of leaving. The long delayed funding question needs urgent attention too.
HS2 – The Great Northern Train Robbery
24 November 2021
Boris Johnson’s decision to scrap vital parts of HS2 and other key rail investment in the north of England met with angry criticism from trade unions and many others.
Rolls-Royce: steps to net zero
13 November 2021
With the COP26 climate conference coming to a close Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Shell called for further collaboration to enable the transition of long-haul aviation towards net zero.
Future of Rolls-Royce plant at Barnoldswick finally secured
13 November 2021
Workers at the Rolls-Royce Barnoldswick have won a commitment that there will be no compulsory redundancies for five years and manufacturing will continue on the site for at least 10 years.
Coal still needed in Wales
12 November 2021
The Welsh government is trying to close Aberpergwm colliery, the only anthracite mine in Europe. Its "net zero" dogma also puts the Port Talbot steel plant at risk.
Most primary schools lack a library, says report
3 November 2021
A report from the National Literacy Trust reveals that one in eight primary schools in England do not have a library – despite the proven link between school library provision and literacy levels.
Budget fails British seafarers, says RMT
1 November 2021
Shipping tax changes are a capitulation to global capitalism and do nothing to reverse long-term decline in seafarer jobs.
Caution on public transport funding
1 November 2021
Extra funds to improve public transport are welcome, but government spending may not reach the right places .
Strike wave greets COP26 [updated]
Road closures and police cordons reminded people in Glasgow of the reality of hosting the city’s biggest ever gathering, the COP26 climate conference.
Nursery funding: Stop cuts, say staff
Over 200 nursery school staff marched from Parliament Square to Downing Street to demand secure long-term funding for the sector.
Swiss nursing referendum [print version]
The Swiss Nurses’ Association has gathered sufficient support to force a national referendum on nurse training and pay and conditions.
Brighton bins: Drivers win victory
HGV drivers on refuse, recycling and commercial waste lorries for Brighton Cityclean have won a dispute over unilaterally imposed daily changes to rounds, and the removal of drivers from long-standing rounds.
Keep repayment threshold for student loans, says UCU
The University and College Union has written to the Secretary of State for Education warning against plans to lower the salary threshold for repaying student loans.
Universities: ballots on pay and pensions
The University and College Union has begun balloting its members in universities over action on pensions and pay.
Barnoldswick fight goes on
National negotiations between the GMB, Unite and Rolls-Royce over the future of the Barnoldswick jet engine turbine plant are at a virtual standstill.
Swiss to vote on nursing self-sufficiency
27 October 2021
The Swiss Nurses’ Association, backed by doctors and patients’ organisations and the country’s trade union confederation, has forced a national referendum on nurse training and pay and conditions.
Union and employers attack relaxation of restrictions on foreign hauliers
17 October 2021
The government is to allow foreign HGV drivers entering the country with a load from abroad unlimited licence to spend two weeks collecting and delivering goods before they return.
Walkout at Stagecoach South West averted as union receives new offer
17 October 2021
The RMT has announced that action on Stagecoach buses in the South West has been suspended while members consider a revised offer made in last-ditch talks.
Fewer and fewer British ratings working at sea, says RMT
8 October 2021
The RMT has released figures revealing a massive decline in the employment of British seafarers, compounded by poverty wages in the maritime sector.
Refinery workers vote for action on pay and pensions
7 October 2021
Essar has picked a dispute at Stanlow refinery during a petrol panic, trying to go back on a pay deal and worsen pensions – provoking a furious and united response from the refinery workers, members of the Unite union.
Just six months left to save ScotRail, say unions
23 September 2021
Four trade unions came together on 22 September to demonstrate in Edinburgh on Wednesday. Their message: that there are just six months left to save ScotRail.
Afghanistan – one woman's positivity
22 September 2021
Tucked away in the columns of the Daily Telegraph on 15 September, though not widely reported elsewhere, was a little gem of a story about one woman in Afghanistan and her determination to be optimistic.