Much done – but far more to do
Workers have made remarkable progress in the past year in asserting the interests of the class. Yet in 2024 we need to do more.
News/Views
Unions united against law
20 December 2023
The first special Congress of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) for over forty years took place in early December. It considered how trade unions should respond to legal attempts to restrict their activity.
Pay progress for some doctors
NHS hospital consultants have secured an offer from the government in their fight for pay. Consultants’ pay had been cut, in real terms, by 35 per cent since 2008-09. Meanwhile, junior doctors' strikes continue
NHS reliance on overseas nurse recruitment unsustainable
20 December 2023
Ninety-three per cent of nurses who joined the NHS in the last four years have been recruited from overseas. This startling fact was revealed by NHS England’s chief nurse in December.
Royal Mail festive “truce” – for now
20 December 2023
Royal Mail workers have called off industrial action over Christmas and the New Year. CWU, their union said there was enough progress to call a “truce” over the holiday period.
Fighting fire service cuts across the country
20 December 2023
Firefighters are fighting attempts across the country to cut staffing, which risks effective response to emergencies. And they have criticised government plans for the fire service.
TUC Special congress [print version]
The first special Congress of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) for over 40 years took place in early December. It considered how trade unions should respond to legal attempts to restrict their activity.
Almost all nurses from abroad [print version]
Ninety-three per cent of the 51,245 nurses who have joined the NHS in the past four years have been recruited from overseas.
Elections - Overseas voters sought [print version]
On 16 January 2024 the eligibility of overseas voters in UK elections will change dramatically – allowing those who don’t live in Britain to influence what happens here.
Cruise operator withdraws conditions threat
1 December 2023
Cruise operator Carnival quickly withdrew an apparent threat to fire and rehire over 900 maritime professionals. After urgent negotiations with their union, the company confirmed it will not do so.
Grangemouth refinery closure threat
1 December 2023
Plans to shut Scotland’s only oil refinery threaten skilled jobs and Britain’s industrial base.
Migration continues to rise
1 December 2023
Recent reports confirm that the government has lost control of immigration as the numbers coming to Britian, legally as well as illegally, continue to rise.