UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Saturday 11 October 2014

Workers’ rights under attack in Italy

‘We want to eliminate the poison that kills investment’ said Italian politician Giuliano Poletti in a debate this week in the Italian senate. Poletti, the labour minister in the supposed centre left Democratic Party led Government, was referring to redundancy protection and other employment rights long enshrined in Italy’s labour code. The main Italian union centre CGIL is pledged to fight the so called Jobs Act and will be holding a national demonstration in Rome on 25 October:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/09/italy-pm-matteo-renzi-wins-confidence-vote-labour-reforms

Never Forget by Attila the Stockbroker

I remember my stepfather moaning
In the first strike in ’72
‘Miners holding the country to ransom…..’
I was fourteen. I thought about you.
You worked underground, often in danger.
Hewed the coal we depended upon.
He earned more checking tax forms in Brighton.
I knew then just whose side I was on.

Thursday 9 October 2014

Individualisation of the work relationship

'Among the most striking features of the new forms of work organisation, in both the public and the private sector, we draw attention to demand-driven supply networks (DDSN), to management’s increased detachment from the practical aspects and details of work performance, and to an intensification of labour that contributes tremendously to the isolation of employees.' Articulating and representing the individual and collective views of workers in this new environment is a major challenge for trade unions writes Philippe Davies on the ETUI blog:
http://www.etui.org/Publications2/Policy-Briefs/European-Economic-Employment-and-Social-Policy/Individualisation-of-the-work-relationship-a-challenge-for-trade-unions

Wednesday 8 October 2014

Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) - promoting the interests of services corporations

Public Services International (PSI) and Our World is not For Sale have launched a new report, written by Ellen Gould, on the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA). The report outlines the way the TISA, the radical extension of GATS, will restrict democratic government’s ability to make laws that protect us. It will tie the hands of governments to deal with important issues such as health care, water, energy, education and climate change. The agreement will stop public services returning to state ownership if privatisations fail and will undermine data privacy laws. Shockingly it will restrict the rights of government to regulate the financial markets, as if nothing has been learned from the financial crisis:
http://www.world-psi.org/en/psi-special-report-really-good-friends-transnational-corporations-agreement

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Time to deliver for working people in Scotland

In the wake of last month's independence referendum, Lilian Macer, Convenor of UNISON in Scotland, has called for maximum unity in the struggle 'to create decent jobs, tackle low pay, end poverty - and deliver for working class people.' Speaking at a Morning Star labour movement conference last Saturday, Lilian said 'the outcome of the independence vote was about change — whether you were in the No or the Yes camp. People have demonstrated that they value public services, they don’t want more cuts, they reject privatisation and they want a fairer and more equal society.'
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-a3bb-Macer-Scots-must-put-referendum-aside-to-fight-poverty#.VDMA8VpwbIU

Monday 6 October 2014

People's Assembly calls on Scotland to unite for more powers to defeat austerity

The People's Assembly has called for the energy both sides put into the referendum campaign to be channelled into ensuring that powers are delivered for Scotland that can be used to "reverse the austerity agenda".

The call was made as community activists, trade unions, trade union councils, politicians and other campaigning groups met for the People's Assembly Scotland AGM in Glasgow on Saturday 4 October 2014.

Sunday 5 October 2014

Tell your MP: VOTE to recognise Palestine

On October 13 MP's will have an opportunity to recognise Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Please urge your MP to vote for Palestine. Even if your MP is not usually supportive please do take the time to send them an email by using this link: http://act.palestinecampaign.org/lobby/Palestine
See more at: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/pscupdatevoterecognisepalestine/#sthash.83BHxNSE.dpuf

Standing Up by Ike Gittlen

Standing up
Don't' want your hatred or your greed
Say it clear
You don't speak for me
Raise my fist
Put me on your list
You are wrong
I'll fight until you're gone