Labour party conference in jeopardy after security contract breaks down August 18, 2016 The Labour party conference's go-ahead has been called into question after talks broke down between the GMB union and the remaining bidder for security arrangements. The GMB said that it had asked Labour to cut its ties with Showsec, the last bidder for the contract. Labour's National Executive Committee already voted to boycott G4S last [...]
We may not get an official decision on airport expansion until 2018 October 18, 2016 Theresa May won't hold the final vote on airport expansion until 2017/18 to allow for public debate, she has confirmed. The delay, confirmed in a letter from May to her cabinet colleagues which was seen by City A.M. today, will give cabinet ministers including Boris Johnson and Justine Greening the chance to air their grievances with the choice if Heathrow [...]
A spirits union is calling for Nissan-style guarantees for the Scottish whisky industry during Brexit negotiations February 24, 2017 Workers in the £5bn Scottish whisky industry should be given Nissan-style protections in Brexit negotiations, union works have said. GMB, the union for whisky and spirits workers, has written to Scottish Secretary David Mundell to call for measures to safeguard an estimated 160,000 jobs related to the industry. More than 40,000 UK jobs are directly supported by [...]
GMB members want to back Jeremy Corbyn’s rival Owen Smith August 10, 2016 One of the UK's biggest unions has backed Jeremy Corbyn's rival Owen Smith in the bitterly fought campaign. By 60 per cent to 40 per cent, GMB members voted to endorse Smith over Corbyn, The GMB union represents workers on the Trident nuclear programme. Corbyn has repeatedly voiced his view that renewal of the nuclear [...]
A legal decision on the status of Uber drivers is imminent October 12, 2016 Uber drivers could receive a judgement as soon as today in a landmark legal case that could decide the status of millions of people working across the growing gig economy and potentially disrupt the billion dollar startup's business in Britain. An employment tribunal will make a decision based on the arguments of drivers, represented by law firm Leigh Day and [...]
Energy price cap: Here’s how the City is reacting to the Conservative plan to cap energy prices May 9, 2017 Yesterday, Prime Minister Theresa May promised the Conservative party will put a cap on energy prices if it holds a majority after the election. The decision has caused an eruption of opinions from energy bosses, consumer groups and business firms. Here’s what they’re saying… “Poorly justified political meddling” The Institute of Economic Affairs said the [...]
Ford set to axe 1,160 jobs at Bridgend engine plant, Unite warns as it gears up for strikes March 1, 2017 Unite has said up to 1,160 jobs will go by 2021 after Ford said it will cut investment in a new engine programme. The union has warned workers at Ford's Bridgend plant in Wales will be "one step closer to strike action" if the company doesn't commit to protecting jobs. At the moment, the headcount is [...]
By boycotting G4S and putting its party conference in jeopardy, Labour has cut off its nose to spite its face August 19, 2016 Amid the mud-slinging which has made up the Labour Party’s leadership contest, you might have missed this nugget: Labour’s annual conference is on the brink of being cancelled because it finds itself without a security detail. In doing so, it is potentially alienating thousands of voters – and not just because they won’t be able to [...]
Labour’s opposition to shale gas is economic sabotage of industrial Britain October 3, 2016 The INEOS Insight, holding 27,500 cubic metres of shale gas, docked at Grangemouth in Scotland last week. As a vessel it is as impressive as it is imposing, and yet it is also a tangible symbol of the confusion in Britain’s industrial policy. Manufacturing as a share of UK GDP has halved in the last [...]
Uber’s heading to the UK courts over workers’ rights July 20, 2016 Uber and its drivers will head to court today to battle it out in a legal case over workers' rights. The hearing at an employment tribunal is due to begin in London and is expected to rule on the status of some Uber drivers in the first case of its kind in the UK. The action [...]