Trade Union

We need spending on welfare not warfare Make the super-rich pay not disabled people Since taking office, Keir Starmer’s Labour government have kept the Tory two-child benefit cap and reduced eligibility for the winter fuel allowance. WASPI women were denied pension compensation. Starmer says he wants to “redesign the state”, this means massive cuts to public spending with the worst ...

By Alec Thraves Swansea Unite retired members branch, probably one of the largest and most active trade union branches in Wales, invited our new Swansea West Labour MP and recently promoted Pensions Minister, Torsten Bell, to address our meeting on the performance of first seven months of the Starmer government. Around 30 Unite members, ex- shop stewards, conveners and activists, ...

By Dave Reid Workers and students have reacted with shock, although not so much surprise, at the disgraceful announcement of 400 job losses and the cutting of dozens of courses by Cardiff University. Many staff have been in tears as whole departments that have existed for decades are being closed and others merged: Ancient History, Modern Languages and Translation Programmes; ...

By Dave Reid Unite members at Princes factory in Cardiff took their second round ofindustrial action against the attempt of the company’s new owners, Newlat, torenege on a pay offer of 4.5% and impose a 3% pay deal that does not beginto address the losses of workers from increases in the cost of living. Whilefood companies like Princes have increased ...

By Mark Evans, Retired Members Branch Secretary Carmarthenshire County Unison (personal capacity) Members gave blood,sweat and years to the council pay their pension For approximately the first ten years I was branch secretary of Carmarthenshire County Unison local government branch with around 4,000 members I cannot recall the branch dealing with a case of a member being refused ill-health retirement ...

By Dave Reid Nearly 200 workers at Princes juices in Cardiff are on strike 17 and 24 December as the company reneged on a pay offer. Members of Unite at Cardiff, Wisbech, Long Sutton, Bradford and Glasgow were offered between 4% and 7% by the original owners of the company, Mitsubishi. But the company was sold to Newlat S.p.A. which ...

By Dave Reid Labour-run Caerphilly council has doubled down on its £45 million cuts agenda by announcing 600 job losses at the authority. This follows threats to close meals on wheels, Blackwood Miners’ Institute and Llancaiach Fawr house (as reported in The Socialist Issues 1287-1292). At its latest meeting the Labour administration gave in to pressure not to close the ...

By Alec Thraves, Swansea Socialist Party and Swansea Trades Council Steelworkers in Community and GMB unions  are awaiting the results of a vote on whether to accept a settlement with Tata Steel. Unite the Union representatives decided that the terms were not good enough at that point to be put to the vote. Up to 2,800 direct-employed jobs will be ...

By Mark Evans Around 200 people marched on the demonstration in Llanelli on Saturday 7th of September to get the council to reverse its decision not to fund a new purpose-built school. For years, the council including the previous Plaid leader Emlyn Dole gave an undertaking to staff and pupils that a new school that would replace Heol Goffa which ...

By John Williams Valley Vets workers are continuing their historic strike action with a second week  and many more weeks possibly on the cards. Cardiff and Area Unite Community branch have already donated £500 to the strike fund, with more unite branches hopefully to follow. They’re striking for fair pay, fair fees and smaller profits. And there’s plenty of money ...