Friday is the unions’ global protest day in solidarity with our colleagues in Iran. Free trades unionists there have been harshly repressed in recent years, with many in prison for organising unions outside the approved ‘puppet union’ structures, or for daring to hold May Day celebrations. I’ll be outside the Iranian embassy on Friday with …
I’m very happy to endorse the campaign for Aunt Sally to be a demonstration sport at the Olympics. Aunt Sally may only be played in Oxfordshire, yet it is the world’s best sport because it is so accessible. This all hinges on the fact that it is quite ludicrously difficult. You lob six batons (like …
Fame at last – I made the cut for Unions Together’s new YouTube video for tomorrow’s elections ;)Â – Make sure you’re not blinking near the start if you want to catch me!
I went to see a solicitor today, something that normally has me worrying about the fees meter running, and whether I can afford to say yes to the offer of a coffee if it comes at £200 an hour. I was getting my signature on a financial document witnessed, but when I asked how much …
It’s expected that the Westminster expenses scandal will earn major parties a thumping at this week’s elections, with UKIP one of the main winners, and the worrying possibility that the BNP could pick up their first seat in Strasbourg. As others have noted though, a big reason these parties are untainted by the other’s dodgy …
The TUC’s new Middlebritainometer (widgeted below) shows you how close (or not) you are to middle income Britain. Give it your income and it will quite possibly give you a surprise! Certain sections of the media are very fond of talking about Middle Britain, portraying an aspirational group of happy Mondeo drivers as the very …
I bought a suit a couple of years back for a conference in the States. I’d arrived and unpacked, only to find my suit had been hanging unused for so long at home that moths had been right through it. Bit of a panic, but I was cheered up tremendously by finding a UNITE union …
Opening my copy of The Journalist, the periodical of choice (or at least of automatic mailing) for unionised media professionals, I noticed this strangely placed ad. Of course, the union certainly needs the cash at the moment from any advertisers who’ll have the space, and it all helps keep the Journo as the good read …
Just back from a lovely May Day march in the sun in central London, celebrating International Workers’ Day 2009 in the company of unionists, socialists and assorted lefties.
Jack Jones died last night, at the age of 96. For those who don’t know the UK labour movement, he was a totem for a great many people – the embodiment of the key virtues of compassion, bravery, integrity, committment and personal modesty. From his life as Labour Party activist (ward secretary at 15, councillor …