The future of work is going to look very different from the world of work at the end of the last century. When trade union membership was at its peak in 1980, jobs were more likely to be full-time, secure and accompanied by a pension and other benefits. Unions helped workers to maintain and improve their terms and conditions. A …
Continue readingThe 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 …
Continue readingTrade 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 …
Continue readingThe 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 …
Continue readingGoing 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 …
Continue readingWhether it’s lies over Partygate or handing out covid contracts to supporters and allies or Boris Johnson’s plans to stuff the Lords with new peers in his final weeks in office, this government are never embarrassed by their own failure to understand the foundations of a good democracy. Trust, transparency, fairness and accountability – this is what people look for …
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