The good news is that you now have more choice than ever before, but let’s take a step back before we get to the list of unions that support proportional representation (PR). A strong, collective voice is at the heart of every successful trade union. A trade union’s power comes from having a united membership, who are clear about what …
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The trade union movement has always led demands for greater democracy, empowering working people and communities, and offering a different vision of society. Today, that demand for greater democracy is vital and urgent. The powerful levers of the state are being used to undo rights and freedoms, give jobs and contracts to cronies, and attack minorities. We need to rewire the …
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In the Commons, the prevalence of ‘safe seats’ under Westminster’s First Past the Post voting system, means that once a seat is in an MP’s hands, it may be their’s for decades. It’s no wonder so many people feel disengaged from politics – in hundreds of seats, only one candidate seems to stand a chance. This has the dual negative …
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This week, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) joined the growing list of trade unions that back proportional representation. USDAW voted in favour of a motion committing it to support a change in the electoral system at its 76th Annual Delegate Meeting (ADM) on the 25th April. The motion was moved by Phil Crooks from the Home …
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Last month saw the publication of the latest IPCC report. The message coming from scientists is clear: We need to dramatically reduce carbon emissions to prevent climate breakdown, and action needs to be taken now. We know that the Tories can’t be trusted to do what’s needed. During their thirteen years in government, they have failed to meaningfully advance climate objectives. …
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I want you to take a trip in the Tardis with me. Hop in whilst I press the button for 2006 and let’s get going. We open the doors to find it’s September, we’re in Manchester and it’s raining. We join hundreds of people with hoods up or huddled under umbrellas, heading over to the G-Mex Convention Centre for the …
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Trade unions are essential for advancing social and economic justice and defending the rights of workers. However, the voices and experiences of trade union members are not adequately represented by the current Westminster system. The prevalence of “safe seats” in Parliament means that MPs may retain their seats for decades, which discourages public participation and reduces the diversity of candidates …
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The late Tony Benn always said we should ask five questions of politicians ending with ‘How can we get rid of you?’ That should be an easy question to answer – go to the post box or visit the ballot box on election day and vote for the person you want to represent you. Unfortunately, the First Past the Post …
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Going on strike is always an action of last resort; but you’d be forgiven for thinking that so many working people taking to the streets to say ‘Enough is Enough’ might get the Government working out how to fix the underlying causes of the problems. A logical response to such a visible cry from the people who keep our financially …
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The government’s Strike (Minimum Service Levels) Bill is “a full-frontal attack on working people and the trade unions they organise within.” say Unison in an article ‘Three things you need to know about the anti-strike bill.’ Since 1980, there have been no less than fourteen employment and trade union acts, restricting and then to a degree, clawing back trade union …
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