Branch Secretary : suz.muna.unite@gmail.com
Branch Chair : info@housingworkers.org.uk
  

Our Reps and Activists are Schooled in Leadership!

Our hardworking reps quite often have to work unsociable hours, evenings and weekends, and any time off is therefore very precious. However, over 20 reps were prepared to give up a Saturday to come along to our first Leadership Forum on Saturday 15th July.

 

Every

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By Suzanne Muna  |   22-07-2017 12:22  |   0 Comments

Catalyst housing: harsh new sick policy

 

Is Sports Direct really a model for housing associatio

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By PK  |   05-07-2017 16:12  |   0 Comments

Mears / Northwards Housing strike escalates

Mears Manchester housing workers set to begin all out strike action

 

Unite, the UK’s largest construction union, announced today (Monday 3 July) a dramatic escalation in strike action as part of a long running dis

VIEW

By PK  |   03-07-2017 13:06  |   0 Comments

Hot and bothered

Is your office too hot?

 

Amanda Campbell, Cross posted from UNITELive


 

You know what it can be like at w

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By Amanda Campbell  |   02-07-2017 15:56  |   0 Comments

Grenfell Tower Independent inquiry plea

Unite concerns over tenants’ fears ignored

 

Ryan Fletcher cross posted from Unite Live

 

Successive housing ministe

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By Ryan Fletcher  |   02-07-2017 15:11  |   0 Comments

After Grenfell: change needed in construction

Unite calls for fresh start on construction regulations following Grenfell fire

 

Unite, the UK’s largest construction union, is calling for a radical new approach to regulations and safety laws, following the Gren

VIEW

By PK  |   29-06-2017 09:40  |   0 Comments

Mears strikers protest at Chartered Institute of Housing

 

£3,500 less for doing the same work

 

Members of Unite in social housing will be demonstrating outside the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Housing 2017 conference at the Manchester Central C

VIEW

By PK  |   28-06-2017 21:43  |   0 Comments

Unite @ Sanctuary - Next Members Meeting

Changing our working conditions at Sanctuary
By Web Editor  |   28-06-2017 16:46  |   0 Comments

Every Rep's a Leader - Leadership Forum

Every rep’s a leader - and every activist is too! We all have to use leadership skills in our role, whether it is in collective bargaining, organising and campaigning, making sure the union is visible in the workplace, or taking on casework. The strange thing about leadership skil

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By Web Editor  |   28-06-2017 16:03  |   0 Comments

Clarion: a fair slice of the cake?

Undervalued, overworked

 

We were going to send some cake round today but decided to eat it ourselves and tell you to know how much we enjoyed it. We’ve heard you’ve got so much work, increased targets and, m

VIEW | DOWNLOAD

By Arti Dillon  |   26-06-2017 13:38  |   0 Comments

Unite steps up Mears strike

Unite steps up action in Mears Manchester housing dispute

 

Unite, the UK’s largest union, is stepping up the pressure in an increasingly bitter dispute with private contractor Mears and joint venture company Manch

VIEW

By PK  |   23-06-2017 22:45  |   0 Comments

Unite seeks action after sharp fall in construction inspections

Unite seeks action after sharp fall in construction inspections revealed

 

Unite, the UK’s principal construction union, is seeking urgent meetings with ministers and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a f

VIEW

By PK  |   22-06-2017 10:09  |   0 Comments

Grenfell: Never again

Numerous branch members attended Friday’s protests to express solidarity and we will be on Saturdays protest from midday at Kensington Town Hall.

 

Below see reports from the national Unite Live w

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By PK  |   16-06-2017 23:34  |   0 Comments

#GrenfellTower: Donate Protest Petition

Residents and housing workers have expressed their shock at the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower, Silchester Estate, last night.

The Unite Housing Workers Branch sends solidarity to all affected and sends deepest sympathies to

VIEW

By PK  |   15-06-2017 13:43  |   0 Comments

Grenfell Tower appeal

Call for investigation

 

There has been a wave of sympathy and help for the victims of this fire.  The housing workwers branch has produced a statement expressing sympathy and noting some of the troubling questions

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By PK  |   14-06-2017 19:45  |   0 Comments

Fire at Grenfell Tower

Need for investigation

 

Residents and housing workers have been shocked by the events in Kensington last night.  Below is an initial statement expressing our sympathy and concern at the incident.

 

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By PK  |   14-06-2017 13:34  |   0 Comments

United We Stand!

Standing shoulder to shoulder with residents help us as trade unionists to achieve more of what we want - better pay, better working conditions, and healthier environments. It's as simple as that!

 

The Housing Association Workers and Residents Network

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By Web Editor  |   09-06-2017 15:54  |   0 Comments

Unite condemns Mears beard ban decree

Penny pinching stupidity

 

Unite has condemned a decree by outsourced housing maintenance company Mears, which bars workers from having beards as ‘penny pinching stupidity’.

 

Members

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By PK  |   01-06-2017 13:56  |   1 Comments

Manchester housing strikers determined

Striking Manchester housing workers in ‘crazy car clamping’ threats

 

Private housing contractor Mears and joint venture company Manchester Working, are accused of issuing ‘crazy car clamping’ th

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By PK  |   18-05-2017 14:55  |   0 Comments

Fighting back at Thirteen Group

Thirteen Group concede and agreement is reached

 

As we reported yesterday RPI inflation has hit 3.5% and is rising, when you conmpare thuis to pay in the sector it is no wonder that Unite members in housing show a g

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By PK  |   18-05-2017 13:43  |   0 Comments

Inflation hits 3.5%

Unite warns of ‘wage squeeze’ as inflation outstrips average earnings

 

Britain’s largest union, Unite warned of a continuing Tory ‘wage squeeze’ not seen since Victorian times as the latest

VIEW

By PK  |   17-05-2017 11:35  |   0 Comments

Striking housing workers to protest outside Manchester Town Hall

Dispute with Mears and "Manchester Working"

 

Striking members of Unite employed on social housing maintenance contracts in Manchester will stage a demonstration outside of Manchester Town Hall, on Monday 15 Ma

VIEW

By PK  |   12-05-2017 11:25  |   1 Comments

Clarion Housing: Unite recommends rejection of pay offer

Offer represents real terms pay cut

 

Clarion housing has offered staff an increase of 2.5% on basic pay rates.  Inflation is currently running at 3.1% measured by the Retail Price Index (RPI) and all analysts proje

VIEW

By PK  |   11-05-2017 11:57  |   0 Comments

Inflation to reach 3.4% CPI this year

NIESR: 'households will feel the pinch'

 

Inflation will hit 3.4% CPI later this year according to the respected National Institute Economic and Social Research (NIESR) in a VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   10-05-2017 17:29  |   0 Comments

Low pay: Housing workers offered financial counselling

Family Mosaic offering staff financial advice to ease mental health concerns

 

Housing association Family Mosaic has announced that in response to the pressures resulting from low pay they will “offer our staff the

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By Paul Kershaw  |   08-05-2017 15:50  |   0 Comments

Book release: New book on housing by branch member

There’s No Place: The American Housing Crisis and what it means for the UK

 

 

Branch member Glyn Robbins has written a new book:

 

My book, There’s No Place: The A

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By PK  |   08-05-2017 13:28  |   0 Comments

Election issue: Rough sleeping rising

New rough sleepers in London soar by 15%

 

The number of new rough sleepers in London has risen by a shocking 15%; new figures from CHAIN (Combined Homelessness Informatio

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By Paul Kershaw  |   03-05-2017 11:35  |   0 Comments

And The Winners Are ...

Ten housing associations were given Tarnished Trophies at the Alternative Housing Awards on the 26th April, to loud jeers by residents and workers. 

  1. Overall Lousy Landlord - Hyde Housing Association Limited

  2. VIEW | DOWNLOAD

By Web Editor  |   28-04-2017 12:26  |   0 Comments

Alternative Housing Awards Surge to 718 Entries!

The online voting for Alternative Housing Awards has closed after receiving an incredible 718 entries. Thank you to all those who have submitted nominations. We are now working through

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By Web Editor  |   23-04-2017 12:42  |   0 Comments

Clarion's Possible Partnership With GLA

The Unite Housing Workers' Branch has condemned the discussions taking place between the Greater London Authority and Clarion Group with the potential to create a strategic partnership ( VIEW

By Web Editor  |   14-04-2017 17:10  |   0 Comments

HAs' Serial Neglect of Residents and Properties

Housing associations have been guilty of 'serial neglect of residents and properties' according to the Guardian. It highlighted allegations against many of the biggest names in the sector, including Catalyst, Sanctuary, Notting Hill Housing, and One Housing Group. Almost all of these

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By Web Editor  |   14-04-2017 16:44  |   0 Comments

Hyde Tops the League of Shame! Nominations for Bad Awards So Far

See also: Lousy Landlords and Bullying Bosses - Welcome to the Alternative Housing Awards - press release

Hyde Housing Group is now topping the league of sham

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By Web Editor  |   01-04-2017 11:56  |   0 Comments

Minimum Wage to Rise by 4%

The Annual National Minimum Wage Rise Recognises The Real Rising Cost of Living

 

The National Minimum Wage for workers aged 25 and over is rising by more than 4%, increasing from £7.20 an hour to £7.50. For those working full-t

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By Web Editor  |   01-04-2017 11:18  |   0 Comments

Keyworkers Condemn One Housing 40% Rent Hike

Keyworkers including teachers and nurses, all residents of One Housing Group (OHG), have condemned the organisation's threat to raise rents by 40%.

 

Many are deeply concerned that they cannot meet such rent increases, particularly a

VIEW

By Web Editor  |   30-03-2017 14:44  |   0 Comments

Nominations Pour in for Bad Awards!

It is clear that despite record surpluses and highly paid executives, our sector is awash with bad landlords and bad employers as nominations flood in for the Alternative Housing Awards.

 

Less than a week since nominations opened, we have already received almost 100

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By Web Editor  |   29-03-2017 23:22  |   0 Comments

Unite says #Jobstownnotguilty

Sit down protest

 

In November 2014, as part of the protests against the privatisation of water in Ireland, an impromptu sit-down protest stopped the car of a minister and her entourage.  Now, those protesters are c

VIEW

By Nick Auvache  |   27-03-2017 11:35  |   0 Comments

Unite responds to Labour MP

Unite response to Jess Philips’ call for candidates to back a women’s charter

 

Members will know that our branch agreed to nominate Len

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By PK  |   26-03-2017 16:21  |   0 Comments

Elections: Your union is run by you

Ballot papers posted from 27 March

 

Elections run until 19th April

 

Following discussion at a recent branch meeting we nominated the following candidates and would encourage members to supp

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By PK  |   25-03-2017 14:46  |   0 Comments

Does Your Association Deserve a Bad Award?

We have regular news items about the misbehaviour of our employers. Now, housing workers everywhere can name and shame them for their bad behaviour. Nominations can be made anonymously and online VIEW

By Suzanne Muna  |   25-03-2017 13:57  |   0 Comments

Jump in inflation rate underlines case for pay claims

4% minimum pay increase in the housing sector needed

 

The headline inflation figure jumped to 2.3% in February.  Figures released today show that inflation has risen by much more than expected; the main drivers of

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By Paul Kershaw  |   21-03-2017 12:23  |   0 Comments

Construction workers have high suicide risk

Construction must radically reform to reduce high suicide rates

 

Unite, the largest union for construction workers, is calling on the industry to take radical action to reduce the high number of suicides among its workf

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By PK  |   20-03-2017 15:35  |   0 Comments

Unite elections and Tom Watson

Unite statement on Tom Watson MP’s claims on Momentum and Unite

 

Unite is holding elections for the positions of General Secretary and for members of the Executive Council.  Voting starts on March 27th.

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By PK  |   20-03-2017 12:17  |   0 Comments

Unite supports #MarchAgainstRacism

London: 12:00 noon, (BBC) Portland Place, W1A 1AA

For information and details for other cities see here

 

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By PK  |   16-03-2017 15:03  |   0 Comments

New evidence that housing associations can afford decent pay

 

Sector optimistic and ready for future challenges

 

'Economic sentiment' among housing associations is at its highest level since the financial crisis according to an VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   16-03-2017 00:16  |   0 Comments

Unite on post Brexit construction workforce

Responding to RICS

 

Commentating on today’s (15 March) Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) survey that warns that the UK construction industry could lose 8% of its workforce due to Brexit, Unite acting g

VIEW

By PK  |   15-03-2017 12:47  |   0 Comments

Housing workers calling for 4% pay increases

Resounding message

 

Unite has agreed to campaign for a minimum 4% pay increase in housing and reps have been getting a resounding message fr

VIEW

By PK  |   15-03-2017 11:17  |   0 Comments

Masking sickness at work?

‘Sickies’ down – but do figures belie real illnes

 

On Friday we reported a

VIEW

By Hajeera Blagg  |   10-03-2017 22:12  |   0 Comments

Clarion back-tracks on denying sick pay

New group to pay sick pay from day one

 

Stung by accusations that the newly created Clarion Housing Group was becoming the Sports Direct of housing associations they have this morning told staff that:  “...st

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   10-03-2017 11:44  |   0 Comments

National apprentiship week & dead end construction apprentiships

Unite for apprentiships

 

National Apprenticeship Week 2017 is taking place from 6-10 March 2017, promoting app

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By PK  |   07-03-2017 23:49  |   0 Comments

Rough sleeper immigration raids and homelessness charities

Homelessness agencies accused of being complicit in coercive deportations

 

Homelessness agencies including St Mungos are identified as complicit in immigration raids and a process that results in some of London’s

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   07-03-2017 20:50  |   0 Comments

Leeds Housing Crisis Summit!

Leeds 'Hands Off Our Homes' has called a meeing to discuss the local housing crisis and to develop a campaign for affordable solutions:

 

Campaign Planning Day
10.30am – 3.30pm,
Sat 25th March
Oxford C

VIEW | DOWNLOAD

By Web Editor  |   07-03-2017 16:27  |   0 Comments

Pay: "Utterly shameful"

Shocking report shows UK nearly bottom for wage growth

 

Housing associations have been booking record surpluses year after year while squeezing

VIEW

By Hajera Blagg  |   28-02-2017 10:22  |   0 Comments

Stop benefit sanctions

National Day of Action Against Sanctions - Thursday 30 March 2017

 

Pushed people into sleeping rough

 

The government’s despised benefit

VIEW

By PK  |   25-02-2017 07:40  |   0 Comments

Work proper hours in housing

Talking point

 

Work your proper hour’s day always gets press coverage and becomes a talking point - this year Friday 24th February.  It’s the day when the average person who does unpaid overtime finis

VIEW

By PK  |   23-02-2017 09:24  |   0 Comments

Next Workers and Residents Meeting Scheduled!

Monday 6th March 6.30pm

Faraday House, 48 Old Gloucester St London WC1N

 

 

VIEW | DOWNLOAD

By Web Editor  |   21-02-2017 21:30  |   0 Comments

Work Your Proper Hours Day, Friday 24th Feb 2017

Housing staff work well over contractual hours

 

Work Your Proper Hours Day, Friday 24th Feb 2017, is the day when the average person who does unpaid overtime finishes the unpaid days they do every year, and starts earn

VIEW

By PK  |   20-02-2017 11:09  |   0 Comments

Housing Associations book record surpluses - again!

£3.4 billion surplus over the last year

 

English Housing Associations have produced a record surplus of £3.4 billion over the last year according to the latest ‘Global Accounts’ for the sector pr

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   19-02-2017 14:02  |   0 Comments

Clarion plan to deny sick pay for first three days of illness

Hardly a way to boost morale

 

Newly created housing association giant, ‘Clarion’ is planning an attack on staff terms and conditions meaning that staff will not receive occupational sick pay for the first th

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   17-02-2017 17:03  |   1 Comments

Housing Association residents and workers form network

Threat from housing act

 

Housing association residents gathered to discuss creating a network with housing workers to fight the threat from the new housing act and from increasing commercialisation.  The meeting wa

VIEW

By PK  |   01-02-2017 12:31  |   0 Comments

New stress guide from the TUC and HSE

Tackling workplace stress

 

A new guide to tackling workplace stress using the health and safety executive management standards has been produced by the TUC and the Health and Safety executive.  Branch members incre

VIEW

By PK  |   31-01-2017 06:52  |   0 Comments

Clarion staff vote for union recognition

Management organised ballot

 

In a management organised vote staff at Clarion have supported union recognition.  Around half the staff participated and a clear majority of 61.4% voted for recognition.  This fol

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   27-01-2017 18:15  |   0 Comments

High heel ‘probe’

Report: discriminatory dress codes widespread

 

Dress codes have been in the news again recently.  The report below is from the Unite Live website.  There are

VIEW

By Hajera Blagg  |   26-01-2017 13:37  |   0 Comments

‘Useful as a chocolate fireguard’

 

Govt’s strategy fails construction’s skills gap

 

After six years of fiddling and relying on the so-called invisible hand of the market to correct industrial imbalances the government has fin

VIEW

By Barckley Sumner  |   24-01-2017 12:08  |   0 Comments

Unite committed to union rights for Clarion staff

Staff concern as management disrupt lines of communication

 

98% vote for industrial action to defend union rights

 

It was disapointing to sta

VIEW

By PK  |   20-01-2017 14:35  |   0 Comments

Money's Too Tight to Mention!

Pay Campaign Training Day a Success!

 

It's probably no surprise to fellow members of the sector that whilst the housing sector grows richer, social house building is curtailed, and our members' wage rises fail t

VIEW

By Arti Dillon  |   20-01-2017 01:08  |   0 Comments

Meet Len McCluskey!

We are delighted to announce that Unite General Secretary Len McClusky will be speaking at our next branch meeting as follows:

 

6pm on Tuesday 7th February
Diskus Centre, Unite HQ
128 Theobalds Rd, London WC1X 8TN
(

VIEW

By Web Editor  |   11-01-2017 16:17  |   0 Comments

End poverty pay at British Airways

#BAlowpaynoway

 

Cabin crew working for British Airways ‘Mixed Fleet’ taking strike action over ‘poverty’ pay levels which are leading to crew sleeping in their cars between shifts.   Th

VIEW

By PK  |   10-01-2017 03:29  |   0 Comments

Cancer all-clear for night work based on ‘bad science’

Methodological flaws "invalidate" conclusions

 

Night shifts are bad for your health, and many of our members who work night shifts have been particularly concerned at the mounting evidence that night work is l

VIEW

By PK  |   17-12-2016 10:13  |   0 Comments

Stop STP's Don't slash trash & privatise our NHS

 

Demonstrate on 4th March 2017 and protest now

 

The NHS faces another wave of drastic cuts, privatisation and reorganisation. This is going to have a massive impact on patients and staff alike. We must f

VIEW

By PK  |   11-12-2016 13:44  |   0 Comments

Union members protest at Clarion launch

 

Union members committed to fighting for workers rights

 

A lobby of the launch party for Clarion met a friendly response as visitors arrived at the Royal Society of Arts.  members of Unite and the o

VIEW

By PK  |   08-12-2016 12:42  |   0 Comments

HA Workers and Residents Meeting

Axe the Act and the Unite Housing Workers Branch have organised a meeting open to all housing association workers and residents to develop a network for greater campaigning strength. As with public services, to defeat the Housing and Planning Act and the austerity agenda, workers and service user

VIEW | DOWNLOAD

By Web Editor  |   07-12-2016 17:01  |   0 Comments

Wishaw housing dispute: Strike fund launched

Housing association wants to slash holiday pay and increase working week

 

Unite the union has launched a strike fund appeal to support workers at Wishaw & District Housing Association.

 

Tod

VIEW

By PK  |   01-12-2016 12:14  |   0 Comments

Mega meger housing association threatens union derecognition

 

Clarion formed as biggest housing association - starts by threatening union derecognition

 

Affinity Sutton and Circle housing associations completed their merger on November the 30th with staff facing t

VIEW

By PK  |   01-12-2016 09:34  |   0 Comments

Call to stop the salary slashing of supported living workers

Please support the call to stop the salary slashing of supported living workers

 

Supported Living (SSL) Workers at Sanctuary staff have received letters from their employer threatening a possible dismissal and re-engage

VIEW

By PK  |   25-11-2016 14:56  |   0 Comments

Sanctuary: We'll Dismiss and Re-Engage Staff

 

Sanctuary Supported Living (SSL) staff have received letters from their employer threatening a possible dismissal and re-engagement if they do not agree to huge pay cuts, even though the project makes an annual surplus. The SSL project contributes to the parent organisation&

VIEW

By Web Editor  |   19-11-2016 13:23  |   0 Comments

Defend domestic violence refuges

 

'Sisters uncut' are organising nationwide protests highlighting the impact of cuts on domestic violence refuges and we as Unite housing workers have sent a message of support.  Below we reproduce an article from their VIEW

By PK  |   14-11-2016 11:12  |   0 Comments

Strikes at the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

 
Unite and PCS members at equality watchdog strike over ‘swingeing’ cuts

 

We agreed to send solidarity and a donation to strikers at our branch meeting on Tuesday night.

VIEW

By PK  |   09-11-2016 10:35  |   0 Comments

Fighting an attack on annual leave at St Mungos

 

"Hey Howard, Leave our annual leave alone"

 

Workers in St Mungos have been faced with a reduction in annual leave, and Unite is supporting their fight back.  They are angry that, once ag

VIEW | DOWNLOAD

By PK  |   03-11-2016 13:40  |   0 Comments

Wishaw Housing Association workers in second four day strike

Stop attacking conditions

 

Unite the union is calling on Wishaw and District Housing Association in Scotland to stop attacking the conditions of hard-working members.  Workers at the housing association will strike

VIEW

By PK  |   28-10-2016 17:41  |   0 Comments

Unite Says: No Salary Slashing at Sanctuary!

The Unite Housing Workers Branch got into the Halloween spirit, doling out money from cauldrons to get across the point that Sanctuary Housing Group (SHG) should not be cutting the salaries of it's frontline workers. 

 

VIEW

By Web Editor  |   27-10-2016 10:44  |   0 Comments

Housing association downgraded because of fire safety

 

Unite reps will remind management

 

The social housing regulator has downgraded another housing association following failures to do with its fire risk assessments.  Manchester based St Vincent&rsqu

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   26-10-2016 15:25  |   0 Comments

Unite victory for breastfeeding mums

Working women’s right to continue breastfeeding after returning to work

 

Unite Legal Services’ ground-breaking easyJet VIEW

By PK  |   25-10-2016 14:04  |   0 Comments

Sanctuary housing

 

 

JOIN THE THUNDERCLAP

 

Sanctuary Housing Group, are planning to cut salaries of workers by up to one third despite hundreds of workers challenging the cuts in the consultation process. T

VIEW

By PK  |   20-10-2016 09:13  |   1 Comments

The Human Reality of Government Housing Policy

Failure to relate abstract policy to peoples' everyday lives

 

The growing mess around the Housing and Planning Act partly results from a failure to relate VIEW

By Glyn Robbins  |   18-10-2016 09:18  |   0 Comments

Axe the housing act - new figures illustrate crisis

43% population in substandard housing

 

Homelessness is rising and by any measure Britain’s housing crisis is getting worse.  Today a new report shows that 43% of VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   17-10-2016 12:18  |   0 Comments

Work stress at record levels - see our new resources

 

Seven in ten reps report problem

 

Findings published by the TUC on 10 October  indicat

VIEW

By PK  |   17-10-2016 10:24  |   0 Comments

Butterfields tenants win

 

We will not move

 

Tenants on the Butterfields estate in Walthamstow, east London, have secured a victory against the housing crisis. They collectively said 'we will not move' and they will now b

VIEW

By PK  |   12-10-2016 14:01  |   0 Comments

Mental health services reeling from funding crisis

Psychologists’ survey highlights NHS mental health funding crisis

 

Mental health services are reeling from a funding crisis, low morale and increased workloads, says a survey of NHS applied psychologists released

VIEW

By PK  |   11-10-2016 13:31  |   0 Comments

Double blow for Bromley council over library sell-off plans

 

Bexley pull out

 

Bromley council has been dealt a double blow to its plans to sell-off the borough’s treasured libraries.

Bexley council has informed Bromley council that it will no

VIEW

By PK  |   03-10-2016 14:24  |   0 Comments

Housing Association slammed by regulator over fire safety

Regulatory notice

 

Tower Hamlets Community Housing Association (TCHA) has been given a “regulatory notice” by the social housing regulator becuase of a failure to adress fire safety issues.

 <

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By Paul Kershaw  |   29-09-2016 01:45  |   0 Comments

Labour conference opposes housing act

Councils should 'pause and review' housing act provisions

 

Labour Party conference passed a resolution opposing the housing act and calling on councils to “pause and review the Act's provisions”

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   28-09-2016 13:15  |   0 Comments

Unite victory in Bromley

Bromley’s volunteer-run library threat is quelled


We have reported on struggles in Bromley and Unite branch secreatary Kath Smith has spoken at our m

VIEW

By Hajera Blagg  |   10-09-2016 08:34  |   0 Comments

Housing crisis roadshow

Only Corbyn has put forth a realistic solution to the present shambles

 

A commitment to build one million homes in five years — half of them to be council homes — and control rents in the private rented sect

VIEW

By Glyn Robbins  |   10-09-2016 07:42  |   0 Comments

New figures: Housing bosses get inflation busting pay increases

Chief Executive pay up 4% on average while services and staff pay are cut

 

Overall pay for Housing Association bosses is up by 4% this year, once again an inflation busting increase according to Inside Housing’s p

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   09-09-2016 11:03  |   0 Comments

Unite ‘dismayed’ at threat to 64 housing association jobs

Riverside job losses

 

The announcement today (Wednesday 3 August) of a possible 64 job losses at the Riverside housing association in Cumbria has been met with dismay by Unite, the country’s largest union.  R

VIEW

By PK   |   03-08-2016 15:57  |   1 Comments

Register To Vote In The Labour Leadership Election!

Unite members can register before 8 August

 

If you register before noon on 8 August Unite members can vote. Unite is affiliated to the Labour Party you do not to pay any money to do this.

 

Unit

VIEW

By PK  |   27-07-2016 20:10  |   0 Comments

Don’t cut our Human Rights!

EHRC facing 25% budget cuts

 

Unite the Union and PCS have launched a joint campaign to highlight the huge budget cuts of 25% over the next four years facing the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) which will res

VIEW

By PK  |   18-07-2016 13:31  |   0 Comments

Bromley Council workers strike against privatisation

Unite demonstration Saturday 23rd July

Libraries strike this week

 

Libraries across the borough of Bromley face another wave of strike action starting this S

VIEW

By PK  |   14-07-2016 16:08  |   0 Comments

Joining Unite and eligibility to vote in Labour leadership elect

Joining Unite the union – eligibility to vote in the 2016 Labour leadership election

 

Unite is a trade union representing working people in most sectors of the economy.  
People seeking to join Unite

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By PK  |   13-07-2016 16:53  |   0 Comments

HCA Pay Dispute - Members Vote on Resolution

Unite members at the HCA are currently voting on whether to withdraw the threat of further strike action after a series of talks with management addressed a number of concerns that had led to strike action in May.

 

The campaign has involved joint action with th

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By Suzanne Muna   |   11-07-2016 09:35  |   0 Comments

Jeremy Corbyn raises housing in Miners Gala speech

#KeepCorbyn #Axethehousingact

 

Jeremy Corbyn speaking today in Durham “People tell me that Labour will be more appealing when it starts talking about these sorts of things and starts talking about something else.

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By PK  |   09-07-2016 17:06  |   0 Comments

Housing: the fight will go on - with Corbyn at our side

 

Housing fight will go on with Corbyn at our side

 

Britain faces dangerous times after the EU referendum campaign and Labour plotters trying to oust their leader, but amid it all there’s the

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By Glyn Robbins  |   04-07-2016 15:09  |   0 Comments

Next branch meeting Tuesday 19th July

 

Branch meeting one week later than usual - NB Changed venue

 

Our next branch meeting is on Tuesday 19th July – not the usual second Tuesday in the month.  As usual all members are welcome, tr

VIEW

By PK  |   04-07-2016 11:48  |   0 Comments

House building by housing associations down

Just 16.6% completions are for social rent

 

Building by the big housing associations fell from 40000 to 31000 last year.  Just 16.6% of them social rent according to new figures today for the top fifty developing a

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By Paul Kershaw  |   01-07-2016 12:17  |   0 Comments

Breaking news - Shadow housing minister resigns

Breaking news - John Healey resigns

 

Housing shadow minister John Healey has joined the resignations along with his team.  Just at the time when it is vital to build a really vigorous campaign to stop the vicious n

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By Paul Kershaw  |   27-06-2016 14:31  |   0 Comments

Housing workers support Jeremy Corbyn

Mandate to fight austerity

 

Jeremy Corbyn attracted enormous support last summer when he stood for the Labour leadership and secured a clear mandate to fight austerity.  The resignation of Cameron and the crisis in

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By PK  |   26-06-2016 18:30  |   1 Comments

Unite Launches 'Work, Voice, Pay' Guides

As part of Unite's industrial strategy, a range of Work, Voice, Pay guides have been produced to assist you, our shop stewards and representatives, in your critical work on behalf of our members.

 

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By Suz  |   17-06-2016 18:44  |   0 Comments

Unite statement on Orlando massacre

Unite expresses its horror and revulsion at the massacre carried out at Pulse nightclub in Orlando last week, and condemns this horrific act. Our thoughts are with the friends and families of the bereaved, and with the many injured.  We extend our hand in solidarity to our brothers and siste

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By PK  |   15-06-2016 17:26  |   0 Comments

#Axethehousingact

The new housing act will help property developers and landlords make profits but it will do nothing for people who need affordable secure homes.  Some housing associations are currently making deep cuts hitting jobs and services while piling up record surpluses; the act prepares the way for

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By Paul Kershaw  |   14-06-2016 13:58  |   0 Comments

Alison Reinstated

It is is good to report the reinstatement of sacked Unite health and safety rep Alison Morris – you can read about her case here

 

“Following lengthy negotiations I can co

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By PK  |   08-06-2016 07:11  |   0 Comments

Access to Justice: Exposing the Myths

Stacks the odds in favour of the employer

A new publication from the Institute of Employment Rights demolishes the saloon bar myths disseminated by neoliberal politicians, employers’ organisations, and the right-wing press on wor

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By PK  |   24-05-2016 12:46  |   0 Comments

Unite in Peabody reject 1.5% pay offer

 

No votes in favour of acceptance

A growing Unite membership in Peabody has decisively rejected a pay offer of 1.5% - with NO votes cast in favour of acceptance.  In just over 10 days,  a staf

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By Arti Dillon  |   23-05-2016 08:57  |   0 Comments

HCA: Government housing staff strike for fair pay

Unite members at Homes and Communities Association (HCA) are striking for fair pay and proper pay negotiations.
 
Unite’s 147 members at two locations will stage a 24 hour strike commencing at 00:00 on Thursday 19 May over an imposed 1 per cent pay deal fr

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By PK  |   18-05-2016 11:03  |   1 Comments

Housing Associations: Friend or Foe?

Housing associations have moved far from their roots in Victorian philanthropy and ’60s radicalism, says GLYN ROBBINS

 

BRITISH housing policy is at a crossroads. Now the Housing Bill has limped through Parli

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By PK  |   18-05-2016 08:05  |   1 Comments

Pushed out for being pregnant #MothersWork

Pregnancy discrimination is shockingly rife

 

Two years ago at Sports Direct’s infamous warehouse in Derbyshire, where working conditions have been described as ‘Victorian’ a woman gave birth in a

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By PK  |   14-05-2016 18:08  |   0 Comments

Unite HCA Pay Strike - Solidarity Appeal Launched

Unite at the HCA has announced that it will be taking strike action on Thursday 19th May and has launched an appeal for solidarity.

 

The dispute has arisen because the Agency ignored the union pay claim submitted in June 2015 and refused to negotiate for eight month

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By Web Editor  |   12-05-2016 14:15  |   0 Comments

Inside Housing survey assaults to housing workers

Have you been physically or verbally assaulted during your work as a housing professional?

Inside Housing has launched a questionnaire for housing staff – it can be completed here.

 


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By PK  |   12-05-2016 07:06  |   0 Comments

PCS Vows to Join Unite Strike if No Speedy Resolution on Pay

As Unite members meet to discuss their plans for a strike following a successful strike ballot announced earlier this week, the PCS union which is also recognised by the HCA has threatened to escalate to an industrial action ballot if the Agency fails to negotiate within the next two weeks.<

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By Web Editor  |   10-05-2016 14:46  |   0 Comments

Reach out recovery heath and safety dispute

3,000 emails in support of Birmingham health & safety rep over sacking by drug charity in ‘fire alarm’ row

 

The boss of a Birmingham drug and alcohol charity, which sacked health and safety rep Alison M

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By PK  |   10-05-2016 12:27  |   0 Comments

Housing Bill ping-pong

Peers stand defiant against government plans

 

 

Hajera Blagg, Friday, May 6th, 2016 Unite Live

 

The government is struggling to push through its housing agenda as its Ho

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By PK  |   06-05-2016 17:04  |   0 Comments

HCA Unite members vote for strike action

Call for fairer allocation refused

 

Unite members at the Homes and Communities Agency have voted in favour of strike action.  Members are angry that once again their call for a fairer allocation of the pay settleme

VIEW

By PK  |   03-05-2016 14:41  |   0 Comments

Housing bill: the fight goes on

A generation has grown up in a world where houses are just assets for investment. We need to express a vision for housing’s future, argues GLYN ROBBINS

 

IN THE face of growing opposition, this week the Torie

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By Glyn Robbins  |   02-05-2016 16:03  |   0 Comments

Anonymous housing worker writes in The Guardian

 

Each 'investment opportunity' means a life of insecurity for the tenants I help

 

An anonymous housing worker writes in Guardian Housing network that each 'investment opportunity' means

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By PK  |   01-05-2016 09:18  |   0 Comments

Resolving Dispute 'Too Much Work for HR' - HCA Staff Told!

Members of Unite, Unison and the PCS protested outside the April HCA Board meeting hours after receiving a letter from the Interim Chief Executive, Mark Hodgkinson, telling them that their pay grievance could not be addressed as it would involve too much work for HR.

 


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By Web Editor  |   29-04-2016 08:04  |   0 Comments

Reach Out Recovery: Reinstate Alison

Victimisation at Reach Out Recovery

 

Alison Morris, Team Leader with years of exemplary experience in the field of substance misuse treatment, was summarily dismissed from her job at Reach Out Recovery on 11th April 201

VIEW

By PK  |   27-04-2016 19:15  |   0 Comments

The Housing Bill has got to be killed

We must restore decent, affordable council housing to the mainstream, return housing associations to their social purpose, control rents and demand secure homes for all, says GLYN ROBBINS

This week my union, Unite, described the

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By Glyn Robbins  |   22-04-2016 11:56  |   0 Comments

Support the Junior Doctors March Tuesday April 26th

Junior Doctors appeal: 'stand with us'

 

Our branch banner will be on the march - come and join us.

 

On 26/27 April, junior doctors will be striking again to stop the government imposing

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By PK  |   22-04-2016 02:14  |   1 Comments

The Guardian on Catalyst: Half the staff, but double the work

Catalyst housing association has a bigger net surplus than Greggs or Foxtons, so why are staff facing job losses and unmanageable workloads?

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By Paul Kershaw  |   21-04-2016 19:07  |   0 Comments

Industrial Action at Catalyst Housing

Plan to halve the number of neighbourhood managers

 

Catalyst Housing plan to halve the number of Neighbourhood Managers it employs.  Unite members at Catalyst say this will result in a drastic decline in service.&n

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By Paul Kershaw  |   18-04-2016 19:26  |   0 Comments

Unite fighting tax scam in construction

Construction bosses in ‘tax scam’ warning amid calls for HMRC to investigate

 

Bosses at Crossrail and some of the UK’s biggest construction firms are being warned against engaging in a ‘scam&rsqu

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By PK  |   15-04-2016 14:07  |   0 Comments

New survey: unmanageable workloads in housing

The Guardian: “Housing staff face 'unmanageable' workloads – poll”

 

In a new VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   15-04-2016 12:41  |   0 Comments

HCA Strike Ballot Dates Confirmed

Unite has confirmed the dates of its ballot for industrial action at the Homes and Communities Agency. The official Notice of Intention to Ballot was sent to the employer on Monday 11th April and it will run until mid-day on the 2nd May. If the ballot is returned in favour of industrial acti

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By Web Editor  |   13-04-2016 18:52  |   0 Comments

New mega merger: L&Q, Hyde and East Thames

Fourth biggest house builder

 

This morning L&Q, Hyde and East Thames housing associations announced merger plans that would create the biggest housing association in the UK, one of the biggest social landlords in Eu

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By Paul Kershaw  |   06-04-2016 14:34  |   0 Comments

Bromley ‘in dock’ over victimisation of Unite branch secretary

 

"...Unite said that these allegations have to be seen in the context that the council is fully committed to becoming a commissioning council and reducing the number of council employees from 4,000 to 300 – despite having £320 million in reserves...."

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By PK  |   31-03-2016 14:39  |   1 Comments

Health, Homes, Jobs Education! March and Rally

Save the date, book your seat for the march and rally

 

Saturday 16 April 2016 - London

 

March with the People’s Assembly on Saturday 16 April in London. Join us to demand #End

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By Health, Homes, Jobs Education! March and Rally  |   28-03-2016 13:55  |   0 Comments

Unite at HCA Urges Talks as Strike Ballot Looms

Unite, the largest union at the HCA, has written to the Interim-Interim Chief Executive and Chair of the Board to urge last minutes talks to avert a strike ballot. 

 

The membership of Unite at the HCA voted 90% to reject the current pay offer on a turnout

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By Web Editor  |   26-03-2016 17:21  |   0 Comments

OHG staff 3% pay claim

One Housing Group Unite members call for 3% pay increase

 

Last week The Times listed One Housing Group (OHG) boss Mick Sween

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By Paul Kershaw  |   23-03-2016 16:11  |   1 Comments

Butterfields Won't Budge!

"We Won't Budge" is the courageous slogan of a group of tenants who live in Walthamstow, east London and who aim to resist eviction from their homes, and the break up of their community.

 

The properties they live in were previously

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By Web Editor  |   19-03-2016 11:14  |   0 Comments

New report: impact of rising rent & deposits

 
 
 
Need 266% pay increase
 
If you are young and think you're going to buy a house any time soon, thi

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By PK  |   10-03-2016 18:50  |   0 Comments

Construction unions disgusted by

Covers pay and conditions of around 500,000 construction workers

 

Unions representing workers employed under the largest collective agreement in the construction industry have described the employer’s paltry pay o

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By PK  |   10-03-2016 17:48  |   0 Comments

Who Tracks the Trackers?

Is monitoring and surveillance getting out of control at work? This question is beginning to concern an increasing number of our members. We are told that surveillance systems at work and in society are there to safeguard staff, clients, and the wider community, but they increasing

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By Web Editor  |   10-03-2016 17:19  |   0 Comments

Jeremy Corbyn to join housing march Sunday 13th March

Thousands of people from across the country will march

 

Jeremy Corbyn


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By PK  |   07-03-2016 14:26  |   0 Comments

Housing associations: record surpluses again this year

Largest associations record £3 billion surplus – up a quarter

 

England’s largest housing associations recorded a record £3 billion combined surplus today as revealed on the Homes and Community Ag

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By Paul Kershaw  |   17-02-2016 21:27  |   0 Comments

Construction training cut

Training cutbacks will hit construction industry plagued by skills’ shortages

 

Serious questions have been raised about the future of training in the construction industry, already plagued with skills’ short

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By PK  |   17-02-2016 21:04  |   0 Comments

HCA - Pay Up!

"Our pay rise is now eight months overdue ... and so are our members bills!"

 

Unite members at the The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) made their feelings clear during a "Pay Day Protest" on the 15th February. They are angry at the length of time

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By Web Editor  |   17-02-2016 10:11  |   0 Comments

Day of Action against Sports Direct February 13th

Unite will demonstrate outside Sports Direct high street stores as part of a second national day of action on 13 February against Sports Direct’s shameful work practices. Why not join in?

 

On this day of action we demand that Sports Direct:


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By PK  |   12-02-2016 12:09  |   0 Comments

Islington campaign against housing bill launched

 

Over 100 people crammed into room 5 of Islington Town Hall and voted unanimously to form a borough-wide campaign to oppose the Housing and Planning Bill. 

 

 

The meeting was organised by Islington Hands Off Our Public Services (IHOOPS

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By Glyn Robbins  |   11-02-2016 08:17  |   0 Comments

Housing bill in the news - come to the branch to discuss

‘Pay to stay’ trap will force working families out of council homes

 

 

Today’s from page splash on VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   07-02-2016 16:38  |   1 Comments

Unite Protest Over Pay at HCA

Unite members, acting jointly with the PCS and UNISON, are discussing what action they can take in protest at an eight month delay to their pay settlement at the The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). 

 

The HCA, which is sponsored by the Department for Communi

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By Web Editor  |   01-02-2016 18:52  |   0 Comments

Benefit caps for social housing delayed

Future remains uncertain

 

Plans to cap housing benefits for social housing tenants in line with private sector have been deferred for a year until a review is completed.  The move means a partial reprieve for the s

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   28-01-2016 09:17  |   0 Comments

Threat to council housing featured in local press

Branch member Glyn Robbins featured in this article from the Islington Tribune.  Let us know of any press coverage you get in the battle against the houisng bill.

 

VIEW

By PK  |   22-01-2016 17:41  |   0 Comments

Unite Stronger at Equinox!

Unite LE1111 branch representatives at social care provider Equinox have considerably strengthened their capacity. Two new representatives have stepped forward, membership is growing and through the union they have made important improvements to restructuring proposals. 

 


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By Web Editor  |   21-01-2016 11:17  |   0 Comments

"Climate of fear" in Gloucestershire sheltered housing scheme

 

‘Climate of fear’ for elderly over future of Gloucestershire sheltered housing, says Unite

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By PK  |   18-01-2016 13:18  |   0 Comments

Strike brings gains at big north east housing association

 

Union members at Thirteen Group accepted a management offer this week following a bitter industrial dispute involving strike action.  Over time, Unit

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By Paul Kershaw  |   15-01-2016 11:13  |   0 Comments

New survey: CEOs get more inflation busting pay hikes

CEO pay up 3.2% in England
 

UK housing association chief executives took an inflation beating average increase to their pay of 3.1% in 2014/15 while the two highest-paid chief executives in the sector both saw pay increase

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By Paul Kershaw  |   13-01-2016 13:27  |   0 Comments

Trade Union Bill 'Worryingly Authoritarian'

Bob Kerslake, writing in the Guardian, has declared that the Trade Union Bill exposes this Government's 'worryingly authoritarian streak'  - damning words indeed from Kerslake, who has held several high profile local and civil service positions and is cur

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By Web Editor  |   11-01-2016 11:28  |   0 Comments

Unite in local government calls for 'no cuts' budgets

 

Use council reserves

 

Last week the national committee for local government (NISC) of Unite called on Labour councils to set ‘no cuts’ budgets.  This is an important development buildin

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By Paul Kershaw  |   10-01-2016 13:30  |   0 Comments

Housing association worker suffers life changing injury

Broken bones

 

A Manchester housing association has been hit with a £200,000 bill after a worker had to have a finger and thumb amputated after his hand was mangled by a mower.


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By Paul Kershaw  |   10-01-2016 10:32  |   0 Comments

Special Branch Meeting - Trade Union Momentum

We start this year with an exciting special meeting discussing ‘Trade Union Momentum’ – a group helping to develop Jeremy Corbyn’s anti-austerity movement. John McI

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By Web Editor  |   06-01-2016 13:52  |   0 Comments

Secure tenancies to be scraped


 

 

Nail in the coffin of social housing

 

P

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By Paul Kershaw  |   10-12-2015 08:48  |   0 Comments

Calais: Humanitarian crisis on our doorstep

No human is illegal

 

‘...It is impossible not to empathise with the refugees in Calais.  What we saw were thousands of young men, women and children attempting to survive in desperately unsafe and inhumane co

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By PK  |   10-12-2015 00:10  |   0 Comments

Pay dispute at Thirteen Group

Pay dispute at north east’s biggest housing association group triggers industrial action

 

 

Repairs and maintenance to homes managed by Thirteen, the largest group of housing associations in the nor

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By PK  |   30-11-2015 12:47  |   0 Comments

Letter on increasing commercialisation of homeless agencies

Letter to Labour Campaign to End Homelessness

 

The campaign have a launch meeting at our union head office with an invited speaker from the executive of St Mungos Broadway.  Unite members in the sector have asked o

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By Paul Kershaw  |   21-11-2015 17:13  |   0 Comments

Osborne eyes privatisation of stake in social housing

Osborne eyes privatisation of stake in social housing

 

...is the splash headline in today’s Financial Times.  We have warned repeatedly of such a move. Unite housing workers will link with tenants and housin

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   13-11-2015 01:42  |   0 Comments

Big housing associations: surpluses up again

The largest 75 housing associations in England boosted their combined surplus to £2.2bn this year according to a new survey in Inside Housing (pay wall). 

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   06-11-2015 11:27  |   0 Comments

Pay jobs and services under attack in Circle Housing

Circle CEO Mark Rogers

 

Circle Housing: redundancies, pay cuts and lower quality services

 

Memb

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By Paul Kershaw  |   01-11-2015 21:48  |   0 Comments

Stress awareness day

ACTION ON STRESS

In 2014/15 around 234,000 people reported that their stress, depression and anxiety was caused or made worse by their work. We need to take action!

 

It’s the 17th National Stress Awareness day on 4 November 2015 and Unite is aware that

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By PK  |   30-10-2015 18:49  |   0 Comments

Demanding Social Housing Not Social Cleansing!

We joined ASH (Architects for Social Housing) for a protest outside the Royal Institute of British Architects’ annual Stirlin

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By Arti Dillon  |   17-10-2015 17:42  |   0 Comments

Branch Solidarity With Turkish Peace Protestors

On the 10th October, a peaceful rally for democracy in Turkey was shattered by two suicide bombs. At the time of posting, 97 people had been reported dead

VIEW

By   |   14-10-2015 17:42  |   0 Comments

Unite condemns Tory attacks on the low paid & social housing

Unite has issued this press statement today:

 

David Cameron’s legacy will be ‘all too visible to low paid workers’, says Unite

 

David Cameron’s

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By Paul Kershaw  |   07-10-2015 14:19  |   0 Comments

Architects Protest Over Social Housing Destruction

A group of architects are set to protest over the destruction of social housing and its replacement by "multi-million-pound luxury apartments and penthouses for nom-domiciled tax exiles and forei

VIEW

By Web Editor  |   02-10-2015 11:47  |   0 Comments

HCA Budget Cuts - Unite Prepares to Resist!

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has been asked by its sponsor department (Communities and Local Government, CLG) to model cuts of 25% and 40% of operating costs to meet the cuts announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2015. The CLG itself has already announced that a 'Vo

VIEW

By Web Editor  |   02-10-2015 09:40  |   0 Comments

Housing Associations could implement right to buy 'voluntarily'

Housing Associations told to agree right to buy extension within six working days 'volunatrily'

 

Housing minister Greg Clarke has made housing associations an offer they cannot refuse: they have to ‘volunt

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   25-09-2015 11:46  |   0 Comments

Trade Union bill threatens health & safety


Government threat to safety reps – get the message out there!

 

Cross posted from the TUC 'Stronger Unions' blog by Hugh Robertson

 

The TUC is running a major camp

VIEW

By PK   |   24-09-2015 15:12  |   0 Comments

Think tank raises threat of housing association privatisation

Policy Exchange raise threat of outright privatisation of Housing Associations

 

Privatising housing associations would be “the most obvious” government reaction to £60bn of debt being added to the nati

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By Paul Kershaw  |   23-09-2015 06:57  |   0 Comments

Video: Branch joins #killthebill lobby with Suzanne speaking

 

A branch delegation to last weeks lobby of the TUC organised by the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) heard our branch secretary Suzanne speak from the pl

VIEW

By PK  |   22-09-2015 09:05  |   0 Comments

Inflation busting increases for housing Chief Executives

Inside Housing reveals housing boss’s pay

 

In the biggest hundred housing associations, chief executive total pay (includes basic pay, bonus and car allowance) 5.5% to £182,780.  Bonuses for chiefs of the biggest 100 ho

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   11-09-2015 08:26  |   0 Comments

Housing Assembley South Africa - video

Inspiring video on South African Housing Assembly

 

A couple of months ago I was privileged to meet two South Africa housing activists on a UK tour organised by ‘War on Want.’

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   05-09-2015 17:55  |   0 Comments

New reports show further social cleansing nightmare ahead

Perfect storm in housing: two new reports

 

A new report from Savills (see Inside Housing today) illustrates the mortal threat t

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   04-09-2015 10:06  |   0 Comments

Aspire Housing workers strike to defend pay and conditions

Aspire Housing workers are taking a further twenty four hours strike action on September 1st.  Members of Unite, UCATT and the GMB are taking action to defend their pay and conditions.  Management have refused to negotiate or take the issues to ACAS for conciliation.

 

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   31-08-2015 16:45  |   1 Comments

Organiser Recruitment: Update for Members

A statement by Branch Committee member, Jon Hughes

 

Dear members

 

I am writing with an update on the recruitment of the part-time Organiser. The role was proposed by the Branch Committee and overwhelmingly supported by

VIEW

By Jon Hughes  |   15-08-2015 13:01  |   0 Comments

Corbyn poll lead - break with austerity in housing

Today’s news that almost four in ten homes sold through ‘right to buy’ are now in the private rented sector (Inside Housing this week here

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   14-08-2015 15:37  |   0 Comments

Bromley Unite refuse collectors to strike

'Stinking dustbins’ for Bromley residents, as refuse collectors set to strike

 

Bromley residents face the prospect of uncollected rubbish as about 100 refuse collection staff employed by waste disposal giant V

VIEW

By PK  |   14-08-2015 10:50  |   0 Comments

Guidance on Equality Law

Having dealt with nearly 50,000 calls on discrimination last year, Acas has launched three, free equality guides to help employers and managers get to grips with the law on equality.

 

VIEW

By PK  |   13-08-2015 12:14  |   0 Comments

Another association moving away from social housing

Aster joins Genesis and Hyde in considering pulling out of social housing

 

A large social housing association is considering transforming into a ‘mainstream house builder’ by following Genesis in ending deve

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   12-08-2015 10:35  |   0 Comments

Jeremy Corbyn launches housing policy

Jeremy Corbyn’s plan for council house building

 

Labour leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn MP published his plans to address Britain's housing crisis yesterday and they look very similar to the policies that o

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   06-08-2015 09:42  |   2 Comments

Genesis manager quits following abandonment of social housing

The move by Genesis Housing Association to pull out of social and affordable housing (reported here) has provoked discussion. Today Inside Housing magazine has produced this letter of resignation from

VIEW

By PK  |   06-08-2015 06:47  |   0 Comments

Hard Day’s Night: TUC report calls for fair deal for night work

The work-life balance impacts of night working

 

A new report gives useful information for Unite reps on the housing sector.  The report concentrates on work – life balance; see VIEW

By PK  |   05-08-2015 11:38  |   0 Comments

Genesis HA ceases social housing and OHG residents protest

This week one association withdrew from developing affordable or social housing and another was censured by residents and a local authority

 

Genesis Housing Association has announced it will stop building either &lsquo

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   31-07-2015 07:13  |   0 Comments

Alarm bells ring over future of housing staff pensions

Unite has issued this statement today 30 July 2015

 

The increased contributions to the pension fund for social housing staff should not be used as an excuse for housing association bosses to provide inferior pension provision for employees.



Unit

VIEW

By PK  |   30-07-2015 15:22  |   0 Comments

Hands off our pensions - contribution increase announced

The Social Housing Pension Scheme (SHPS) has written to employers this week informing that they will be required to pay just under £32 million in increased contributions from next April. 

 

While housing association bosses have been increasing their pension pot

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   24-07-2015 13:22  |   0 Comments

Housing Associations get media kicking

Housing Associations and their ‘bleating’ bosses are getting a media kicking today, with articles in the Times and the Spectator, and a feature on Channel Four tonight.  Mostly the attacks are from enemies of social housing seeking a smokescreen for the fact that government

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   23-07-2015 15:45  |   0 Comments

New evidence: shift work makes you sick

What can we do about shift work?

 

Evidence of the damaging health effects of shift work continues to mount; it is clear that many shift workers in our branch will have increased risk of contracting cancer and suffer other health problems as a result of t

VIEW

By PK  |   23-07-2015 10:37  |   0 Comments

Companies scrap 'performance management' What about HA's?

Companies scrapping performance management

 

Accenture, the multinational IT and business strategy company is reported in the Washington Post to be ending its ‘performance management’ system.  From September this year they will join other

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   22-07-2015 12:53  |   0 Comments

Bromley suspends Unite rep to silence anti privatisation fight

 

Bromley council accused of targeting union reps in bid to silence privatisation critics

Conservative-controlled Bromley council

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By PK  |   21-07-2015 15:41  |   0 Comments

Peabody Parent Sacks Board of Subsidiary CBHA!

The board of the giant Peabody Group last week sacked the resident board members of its subsidiary, CBHA; something that many consider a high-handed and unethical act at odds with the founding principles of the charitable Peabody Trust.

 

The resident board members formed

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By Web Editor  |   17-07-2015 13:27  |   0 Comments

Second industrial action ballot at Look Ahead Care & Support

Hackney services balloted on pay

 

An earlier protest by Unite members in Look Ahead

 

A seco

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By PK  |   16-07-2015 10:41  |   0 Comments

Bromley eviction halted - case goes to court

Bromley eviction stopped: Battle of diabetic ‘facing £51,000 council tax bill’ now goes to court on 21 July

 

The case of a Bromley insulin dependent diabetic, who faces eviction after wrongly being charged a total of £51,000 for h

VIEW

By   |   15-07-2015 23:07  |   0 Comments

Unite opposes cruel eviction

Eviction threat to diabetic ‘facing £51,000 council tax bill is cruel’, says Unite

 

The attempted eviction of a Bromley insulin dependent diabetic, who looks after his severely disabled daughter and was wrongly charged a total of £

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By PK  |   14-07-2015 07:48  |   0 Comments

Open Event for Unite Members in the Not for Profit Sector

Are you a member of Unite working in in the voluntary or not for profit sector and in the London or the Eastern region?

 

If so, you are invited to join us for our open event as follows: 

 

VIEW | DOWNLOAD

By Suz  |   05-07-2015 20:16  |   0 Comments

Look Ahead staff in Brent ballot for possible strike

Branch members working for Look Ahead Care and Support in Brent are being balloted for possible strike action – papers will be sent out on Monday 10th July.

 

The ballot follows management’s failure to consult with Unite over a proposed restructure following a

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By PK  |   03-07-2015 16:38  |   0 Comments

Bromley Unite fighting back

Bromley council staff stage fourth wave of strikes in run-up to Westminster budget day demo against council cuts and ‘race to the bottom’

 

Bromley council’s plans to carry out a mass privatisation of services are again being challenged

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By PK  |   03-07-2015 10:50  |   0 Comments

Our Branch is Now Recruiting!

The Unite LE1111 Housing Workers Branch needs a part-time, self-employed Organiser to help us make an even greater impact on behalf of our members in the housing sector and beyond. The Organiser will help members and reps to encourage more militant and self-sufficient union organisation within th

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By Web Editor  |   29-06-2015 11:45  |   0 Comments

More in the Guardian on pay as branch leaflets Peabody

Visitors to the Peabody staff conference on Wednesday were greeted by red Unite flags as CBHA tenants and branch members handed out leaflets. One leaflet outlined tenant concerns while another outlined Unite members' frustration over pay.  Staff echoed the pay concerns in the confer

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By Paul Kershaw  |   26-06-2015 14:15  |   0 Comments

The Guardian reveals Housing Association pay inequality

Today’s Guardian reports that Housing association chiefs earn up to 23 times more than rank and file staff  - see here

 

Jane Ashcroft

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By Paul Kershaw  |   25-06-2015 12:55  |   0 Comments

The Guardian reveals low pay by housing associations

The Guardian reports today on low pay and inequality in housing associations

 

Lowest-paid staff in social housing sector receive below the living wage, at an average of £7.69 per hour, while Housing association chiefs earn up to 23 times more than rank and file sta

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By Paul Kershaw  |   25-06-2015 11:13  |   0 Comments

CBHA Tenants Protest at Peabody

CBHA Tenants are to protest at the Peabody staff conference on Wednesday and have appealed for all to support for their lobby. The details are:

 

Wednesday 24th June
8am
Park Plaza Hotel
200 Westminster Bridge

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By Web Editor  |   20-06-2015 08:26  |   0 Comments

Haldane Calls International Conference on Legal Rights for Women

With the requirement to pay a fee in order to lodge a claim at employment Tribunal, and the cuts to Legal Aid which formerly helped the poorest and most vulnerable in society seek justice through the court system, access to justice has been moved beyond the grasp of many, and women in p

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By Suz  |   13-06-2015 09:49  |   0 Comments

End Austerity Now! Demo - Branch Meeting Point

Please join our branch block at 11.45 outside Monument station, but at the Monument itself rather than the tube entrance. We will move off at around 12 noon to join the march, and will have our orange and black banner, so should be very visible! Please join us. 

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By Suz  |   13-06-2015 09:30  |   0 Comments

Better Branch Resources - Staffing Update

We Are Now Ready to Hire a Branch Organiser - Thanks to Our Members!

 

Thank you to everyone who voted in the Branch Levy Survey. The results were overwhelmingly (79%) in favour of an increase to the levy of £1 per

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By Suz  |   13-06-2015 09:12  |   0 Comments

Revealed: how stress takes it's toll on workers in the sector

The Guardian is featuring a new survey on the impact of stress on workers - it will be a talking point in the sector and Unite reps will seek to use these discussions as a basis for positive campaigns.

 

The survey finds "Long hours, a lack of breaks and a fraught wo

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By PK  |   10-06-2015 19:55  |   0 Comments

Keep volunteering voluntary!

The Keep Volunteering Voluntary Campaign was launched last year to highlight the value of volunteering, demonstrating that responsible voluntary organisations won't take part in workfare schemes.  Unite LE1111 housing branch negotiators are seeking to ensure that employers maintin good p

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By PK  |   03-06-2015 15:23  |   0 Comments

Pay Survey on its way to you

Discontent about pay has been growing in the housing sector and members of the Unite housing branch LE1111 are being surveyed about pay - let is know what you get and what you think! .. and dont forget to return the survey to us.  Click on 'Download' below to get a pdf of the survey.

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By PK  |   03-06-2015 14:53  |   0 Comments

Bromley: Third wave of strikes against privatisation

Strikes planned at Bromley council, as Tories ‘run amok’ over mass privatisation

01 June 2015

Bromley council’s plans to carry out a mass privatisation of services are being challenged by members of Unite, with a third wave of strikes.

Th

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By PK  |   01-06-2015 11:15  |   0 Comments

Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers Endorses Our Manifesto!

The Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers had formally endorsed our Manifesto for Housing after Suzanne Muna, the Branch Secretary, attended one of Haldane's committee meetings and outlined the work of our branch. Suzanne spoke on the lack of housing supply, the increase in homelessness, our d

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By Web Editor  |   31-05-2015 15:11  |   0 Comments

Pay Victory at Centrepoint

Unite members at Centrepoint are celebrating a successful pay negotiation which will give members an above-inflation increase after they rejected the original offer from management. Centrepoint, despite publishing a very healthy surplus in their 2013/14 financial statement, offered just 1.5% to m

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By Web Editor  |   16-05-2015 17:56  |   0 Comments

Fill in this survey: have you been verbally abused or assaulted?

Have you been verbally abused or physically assaulted on the job?

 

If so fill in this anonymous survey being run by Inside Housing magazine here

 

As we reported on t

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By PK  |   13-05-2015 17:42  |   0 Comments

South Africa report - at our branch meeting

Unite links with workers struggles over the world.  Recently, London Unite member Bronwen Handyside visited South Africa as part of a Unite delegation.

 

The terrible events of the Marikana maasacre and the increasingly pro big business policies of the ANC and unions

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By PK  |   06-05-2015 12:08  |   0 Comments

Offering Unite a Political Choice - Support Our Motion!

The Unite Housing Workers Branch wants to give Unite greater political choice. Currently Unite is affiliated to the Labour Party. As well as helping to fund Labour, this means that we are only allowed to support Labour Party candidates in council, general, or European elections. This sup

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By Suz  |   01-05-2015 19:54  |   26 Comments

Epilepsy in the workplace - New guide for reps

Epilepsy in the workplace – a TUC guide, to aid trade union workplace representatives in supporting members with epilepsy has bee published this week.

The guide was written for the TUC by Epilepsy Action and is based on the social model of disability, which means epilepsy

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By PK  |   22-04-2015 02:23  |   0 Comments

National Minimum Wage Campaign

The April branch meeting was proud to support the £10 Now! campaign for a £10 per hour National Minimum Wage. This campaign is being led by the bakers' union (BFAWU), but low wages are a big issue in our sector, despite the high surpluses amassed by housing associations. The

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By Suz  |   15-04-2015 18:53  |   0 Comments

Bangladeshi Garment Workers Fight On

On the 7th April, Unite's community centre at Cable Street hosted a visit by a representative of the Bangladeshi Garment Workers Federation (BGWF), which is continuing to fight for the rights of garment workers after the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory killed more than a thousand work

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By Suz  |   11-04-2015 15:37  |   0 Comments

All Together Now: Hands Off CBHA!

The heavens opened, but tenants and staff weren't deterred. They had a message to deliver to Peabody management: Hands Off CBHA!

 

The tenants, staff, and supporters from the Unite Housing Workers Branch were protesting at a Peabody roadshow (complete with 'Digi-V

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By Web Editor  |   11-04-2015 14:22  |   0 Comments

New Resources from ACAS

See the links below to some great free resources from ACAS, and to specialist training courses.

Tools:

By Suz  |   09-04-2015 20:06  |   0 Comments

Pressure the Politicians - A Manifesto for Housing!

We demand that MPs and councillors move to end the housing crisis by way of the measures set out by the Unite Housing worker's Manifesto.

 

Please sign our petition VIEW | DOWNLOAD

By Web Editor  |   09-04-2015 19:42  |   0 Comments

New TUC report on mental health in the workplace

The prevalence of mental health problems among Britain’s workers is being exacerbated by reductions in the funding of mental health services, the TUC has warned. It added that official statistics “confirm a clear link with conditions such as stress generated at work that lead to menta

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By PK  |   28-03-2015 06:51  |   0 Comments

All Change at CBHA?

Unite members at CBHA (formerly Community Based Housing Association) are about to be consulted over major changes that the parent association, Peabody, wishes to make to the way the organisation is run.

 

The staff at the small association which operates exclusively in Wa

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By Web Editor  |   26-03-2015 20:34  |   0 Comments

London NHS moves in to intensive care

London NHS’s crisis has deepened and moved into ‘intensive care’, according to a Unite report – launched today – which investigates the capital’s health service over the last 12 months -  has concluded.  Click VIEW

By PK  |   26-03-2015 11:48  |   0 Comments

Pension scheme deficit announced

We have warned of the possibility that employers in the housing sector will attempt to worsen our pension in a number of recent reports on this website.  Inside Housing last week reported that the deficit on the Social Housing Pension Scheme (SHPS) fund has been announced as £1.32 bill

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By Paul Kershaw  |   23-03-2015 11:55  |   0 Comments

Housing Associations Surplus - £2.4 billion this year

Housing Associations – another record suplus

 

The newly published global accounts of the sector for 2013/14 show an aggregate surplus of some £2.4bn.  Surpluses have risen over the last three: £1.1bn, 1.8bn and £1.9bn according to the HCA (Ho

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By PK  |   18-03-2015 14:48  |   0 Comments

Family Mosaic Exposed!

On Tuesday 17th March 2000 people attended the Homes for Britain rally. Their message was simple:

 

'Our campaign brings together all those who believe everyone has a right to a decent affordable home to call their own.

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By Web Editor  |   17-03-2015 21:17  |   0 Comments

Thursday is No Sanctions day

Unite holds day of action calling for end to ‘grotesque cruelty’ of benefit sanctions


On Thursday 19th March Unite will demonstrate outside the Department for Work and Pensions in London as part of a national day of action opposing benefit sanctions

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By PK  |   17-03-2015 15:55  |   0 Comments

Pensions: Freedom and Choice………………and Danger

Access to pensions after April 2015

From 6th April 2015 the tax rules governing how you can access DC (defined contribution) pension savings are changing to give much more flexibility.

 

While the flexibility to do what you

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By PK  |   16-03-2015 23:58  |   0 Comments

Unite Protest at Family Mosaic Staff Evictions

The First Steps Homes Show on the 14th March was described as "an opportunity to meet the experts and providers of low-cost home ownership schemes in one place". As visitors queued on a cold, grey morning amid heavy security, they were met by Unite Housing Workers Branch

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By Web Editor  |   14-03-2015 16:23  |   0 Comments

Race to the bottom scandals in the news

Race to the bottom: MiHomecare exposed as paying less than the minimum wage and Your Care Barnet rated ‘inadequate’.

 

Care provider MiHomecare is in the news today as paying less than the minimum wage. Corporate Watch have obtained a revealing internal report

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By Paul Kershaw  |   13-03-2015 08:10  |   0 Comments

Police Spying : Public Inquiry Announced

Important news of a public inquirey into undercover policing.

Public inquirey into 'undercover policing' - "must be truly transparent, robust and independent." Should cover police role in blacklisting too.

 

 

Statement from COPS

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By Paul Kershaw  |   12-03-2015 12:49  |   0 Comments

Legal Aid Cuts a 'False Economy'

Legal aid cuts are a ‘false economy’ denying justice to 620,000 people

 

More than 620,000 people, 80% of whom are the most disadvantaged in society, have been denied access to justice because of the coalition’s so-called ‘reforms&

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By Paul Kershaw  |   12-03-2015 12:16  |   0 Comments

No Vote No Voice campaign

Unite has launched a campaign - #novotenovoice - to get one million people registered to vote in the Mat 7th election.  A red bus is criss crossong the country to highlight the issue.

 

New registration arrangements are meaning people are dropping off registers; grou

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By PK  |   05-03-2015 11:03  |   0 Comments

Sanctury to consider leaving SHPS pension scheme

Sactuary Housing, the UK's largest landlord are considering leaving SHPS - the Social Housing Pension Scheme according to a report in today's Inside Housing, see here


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By Paul Kershaw  |   27-02-2015 09:14  |   0 Comments

In-Work Benefits Under Threat

Universal Credit has been a shambles logistically with no one knowing when different stages and aspects of implementation will happen; even when dates are announced for roll-out it has been partly a reputational exercise for Ian Duncan Smith and less to do with reality. As part of the Unite Commu

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By Suz  |   24-02-2015 21:59  |   0 Comments

One Housing Group Member Meetings

A regular member meeting slot has now been set up for One Housing Group members for the first Tuesday of every month. This gives members the opportunity to talk to the branch committee about the many issues we have heard about, and to agree the collective response. Please come along to the next m

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By Suz  |   17-02-2015 20:56  |   0 Comments

Family Mosaic - Members Unite for Better Working Condtions

Our members at Family Mosaic have alerted us to a number of workplace issues which need to be discussed so that we can decide how to collectively improve working conditions. If you are a Unite member at Family Mosaic, or are not a member but considering joining, please do come along to

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By Web Editor  |   16-02-2015 22:29  |   0 Comments

Our manifesto for housing

We work in housing and homelessness organisations so we see the impact of the housing crisis in our working lives.  We have to find places to live ourselves so we are also hit directly by the crisis ourselves.  Click on the download button below to see the short ‘manifesto’

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By PK  |   16-02-2015 12:35  |   0 Comments

Unite joins week of action to save council housing

Save council housing from London's mayor

Unite, is backing a week of action across the capital designed to stop the further destruction of London's council housing stock.

 

With housing now the third most important issue for voters in London, yet housi

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By PK  |   13-02-2015 13:37  |   0 Comments

Britain needs a pay rise - so we need strong unions!

Strong trade unions not empty rhetoric the way to give Britain a pay rise, says McCluskey

Strong trade unions, not empty attempts to curry favour, is the way to giv

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By PK  |   10-02-2015 11:41  |   0 Comments

Social housing pension scheme - defend it!

There are plans to change the biggest pension scheme in our sector in ways which would reduce benefits to our members. It is important that Unite reps raise this issue with management and consult Unite members in any workplace with members of SHPS - the Social Houisng Pension Scheme. 


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By Paul Kershaw  |   09-02-2015 15:59  |   0 Comments

New survey highlights housing staff discontent over pay

Nearly 60% of housing workers are dissatisfied with their pay according to a survey conducted by Inside Housing and Hays Social Housing – a consultancy used by many employers in the sector.

 

Only around 10% of employers said they had awarded better than cost of liv

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By Paul Kershaw  |   09-02-2015 11:48  |   0 Comments

Block the Budget: End the Housing Crisis

Mayor Boris Johnson is the most powerful politician in London when it comes to decisions about housing, with control over a £1.8bn budget for delivering new homes and hundreds of hectares of public land. His budget goes to the vote on 23 February and if passed, will mean more sky-high

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By Suz  |   08-02-2015 12:33  |   0 Comments

Time to Stop the Oligarch Cranes

By London & Eastern Regional Committee Chair, Jim Kelly

 

On Saturday 31 January, on a cold wet windy winter day, another protest march against the madness of London’s housing market took place, building on the protests against the International Housing Fai

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By Jim Kelly  |   07-02-2015 14:51  |   0 Comments

Services for Members - Personal Injury Claims

Unite recommends that you pursue any personal injury claim you may have through the Union's solicitors. This is the only way you will be guaranteed to keep 100% of your compensation

 

An injury or illness can have a devastating impact, many years after they occur.&nbs

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By Suz  |   07-02-2015 14:30  |   0 Comments

Long hours damage health - new research

New research underlines the health risks of working long hours.  An international study released last week has identified that those who work more than 48 hours a week are 11% more likely to drink alcohol at risk levels than those working a standard week – see VIEW

By PK  |   06-02-2015 16:06  |   0 Comments

Action to stop sanctions against claimants

Unite will kick start a nationwide campaign on Wednesday 4 February against benefit sanctions which are pushing people into poverty and punishing debt.

The campaign, to stop benefit sanctions, will be launched on the same day that the House of Commons work and pensions committee qu

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By pk  |   03-02-2015 18:10  |   0 Comments

March for Homes - A Great Start to Fighting the Housing Crisis!

The Unite Housing Workers Branch was proud to play a part in organising the March for Homes which marched to City Hall demanding rent controls, more council housing, an end to the demolition of quality council homes, the provision of affordable and secure homes for all, c

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By Suz  |   02-02-2015 00:14  |   0 Comments

Bromley: Stop attacks on Unite

Bromley council attacks Unite

Bromley: Stop attacking union members rights

Just as unions warn that Bromley Council is set to unveil plans for some of the biggest cuts in its history, the Tory Council has announced plans to immediately cease trade union 'f

VIEW

By PK  |   30-01-2015 14:48  |   0 Comments

Threat to decent pensions in housing

In recent years there has been a trend for pension benefits to be reduced in the social housing sector.  As the Social Housing Pension Scheme (SHPS), the largest scheme in the sector prepares to announce its latest deficit, Inside Housing reports that this will increase the likelihood of emp

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By Paul Kershaw  |   30-01-2015 14:09  |   0 Comments

Branch secretary Suz Muna seeks nominations in Unite election

Our branch secreatary Suzanne Muna is seeking nominations for a vacant seat on Unites executive as we reported here

Click on 'download' to see a leaflet produced by supporters.

 


VIEW | DOWNLOAD

By PK  |   27-01-2015 21:14  |   0 Comments

Charities Gagged Over Poverty in Britain

Campaign group Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) has highlighted a new report which shows that charities are being gagged by public sector funders who wish to prevent them from speaking out publicly against poverty and the effects of austerity cuts in Britain.

 

DPAC sa

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By Suz  |   24-01-2015 21:16  |   0 Comments

NHS workers deserve a pay rise

Unite members in the health service will be taking part in further strike action.  Unite LE1111 housing workers branch secretary Suzanne Muna commented: “My full support goes out to NHS workers due to strike on the 29th of January. See the unite link and do all you can to support the a

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By PK  |   22-01-2015 22:30  |   0 Comments

Unite launches asbestos awareness campaign

The risk from asbestos is a serious concern for anyone working in housing and contruction. Unite is launching an asbestos awareness campaign to highlught the risks from this silent killer.  There is an informative an informative online campaign pack to arm Unite reps and members.

&

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By PK  |   19-01-2015 14:58  |   0 Comments

Fighting and winning pay claims

Unite housing workers branch secretary Suzanne Muna has written an important article on fighting and winning pay claims drawing on our experience in the branch.  She points out that many battles in the branch have been about management attempts to cut the pay of front line workers.  Mea

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By PK  |   19-01-2015 14:24  |   1 Comments

Get ready for 'Work Your Proper Hours Day': Friday 27 February

Work Your Proper Hours Day (27 Feb 2015) is the day when the average person who does unpaid overtime finishes the unpaid days they do every year, and starts earning for themselves. We think that's a day worth celebrating.

Our survey of Unite housing branch members

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By PK  |   19-01-2015 12:36  |   0 Comments

Unite - fighting the housing crisis

Our union’s policies on housing look very different from any of the big parties. There is work to be done.

 

Unite decides policy through a democratic conference; branches like ours submit resolutions and elected delegates vote on them.  The policies cover work

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By Paul Kershaw  |   15-01-2015 13:39  |   0 Comments

London backs bus strike

Research shows overwheming public support in London for the drivers case.

 

Our branch has sent its solidarity to fellow Unite members on London busses striking on Tuesday 13 January.  They are fighting against low pay and for sector wide negotiation – both thi

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By PK  |   12-01-2015 11:49  |   0 Comments

Stop Housing Association Privatisation

“Housing associations will be set free to roam as private companies. There is no doubt in my mind about this.... This is a juicy steak one millimetre away from a slavering dog’s mouth.  I am of course putting aside the morality.  But money is talking.  And the politicia

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   12-01-2015 10:08  |   1 Comments

Branch Secretary in Unite EC Election Race!

Following the resignation of Lizanne Malone, there is a vacancy on the Executive Council for the London & Eastern territorial seat. Our Branch Secretary, Suzanne Muna, has agreed to seek nominations to become a candidate.

 

Suzanne said:

 

&qu

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By Paul Kershaw  |   08-01-2015 22:59  |   1 Comments

Support Striking Bus Workers!

Unite has announced that up to 27,000 bus workers will be taking part in a London wide bus strike on Tuesday 13 January. The 24 hour stoppage follows the continued refusal by London’s 18 bus operators to enter into talks about a single London wide agreement covering bus workers’

VIEW

By Suz  |   08-01-2015 22:34  |   0 Comments

Unite Wins Recognition at Look Ahead

Unite members at Look Ahead, led by representative Dom Rollin, have won recognition for Unite at Look Ahead's four Hackney projects. This is a significant victory and was conceded by management following the threat of industrial action. As reported previously, the seven-day strike threat also

VIEW

By Web Editor  |   06-01-2015 22:28  |   0 Comments

Shelter: Strike suspended

Strikes this week have been suspended following new proposals negotiated today. Members to vote on this. Strikes from 12th January still on pending members vote.

 

VIEW

By   |   15-12-2014 16:30  |   0 Comments

Housing Associations to become more profitable again next year

English housing associations are set to continue their path of increasing profitability according to Moody’s – the credit rating agency in a report issued this week.

 

The sector has repeatedly booked record surpluses in recent years, and Moody’s expect

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By Paul Kershaw  |   14-12-2014 17:25  |   0 Comments

New TUC guides on the new maternity and paternity rules

Figuring out how to share maternity leave and pay has been made easier with the publication of two new booklets from the TUC. Well worth any Unite rep reading.

 

The booklets – Leave and Pay for Mothers and Leave and Pay for Fathers and Partner

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By PK  |   12-12-2014 05:20  |   0 Comments

Shelter - three day strike over pay cuts

The housing charity Shelter is set to be hit by a three day strike next week as Britain’s largest union, Unite announced that 400 of its members would be walking out from Tuesday 16 December over pay cuts of up to £5,000 for frontline staff. 

Amid warnings that ‘c

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By PK  |   10-12-2014 12:50  |   1 Comments

New Standards for the sector

Unite's national website reports: Our campaign recognises that the competitive tendering process by which social care, social housing, and support service providers bid for contracts, is damaging standards in our sectors and is leading to an environment in which low cost offers can triumph ov

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By PK  |   26-11-2014 12:37  |   0 Comments

Action Against 'Cold Home Deaths' - 28th November

Next Friday 28th November we find out how many people died from the impacts of living in a cold home last winter. Join Fuel Poverty Action and Reclaim the Power to take action and demand 'No More Deaths from Fuel Poverty: Energy Rights Now!’

In 2012/2013 10,000 people died fro

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By Suz  |   22-11-2014 15:14  |   0 Comments

Why workers at Shelter are balloting for industrial action

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness and we campaign to prevent it in the first place.

 

Everyone working for Shelter cares passionately about these issues. We are totally committed to the work we do and that is why we ha

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By PK  |   21-11-2014 12:37  |   0 Comments

St Mungo's Broadway victory - fantastic new Reel News video

A spectacular victory - and a potentially very significant one - for St. Mungo's Broadway housing workers, just as they were about to embark on 10 straight days of strike action. Management were forced into conceding virtually all the strikers demands and abandoning their plans to savagely cu

VIEW

By Paul Kershaw  |   18-11-2014 21:08  |   0 Comments

St Mungo's Broadway strike called off after management climbdown

Hundreds of strikers gathered for a victory rally outside the St Mungos Broadway head office this morning. Len Mcluskey described the strike as pivotal when he spoke to Unite members earlier in the dispute - today speakers spoke of the signifi

VIEW

By   |   05-11-2014 18:53  |   0 Comments

St Mungos Broadway Strike Off! We Win! And Victory Rally Details

Following a day locked in talks at ACAS, the Unite SMB reps and Regional Officer, Nicky consider that they have received an offer from SMB management

VIEW

By St Mungos Broadway Strike Off! We Win! And Victory Rally Details  |   04-11-2014 22:32  |   1 Comments

St Mungos Broadway strike - talks at ACAS today

Adam Lambert, Nicky Marcus and Jon Hughes will be attending talks at ACAS with representatives from the executive team of St Mungo’s Broadway this morning.  They will update via twitter and updates wil

VIEW

By PK  |   04-11-2014 11:59  |   0 Comments

St Mungos Broadway staff in ten day strike

St Mungo’s Broadway staff to strike for 10 days in battle to maintain quality services at housing charity

 

Unite statement

 

Staff at St Mungo’s Broadway (SMB) are preparing for 10 days of

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By   |   30-10-2014 12:24  |   2 Comments

St Mungos Broadway workers vote for ten day strike

Unite members at St Mungos Broadway have voted for a further ten day strike from November 5th. 

 

The General Secretary of Unite, Len McCluskey, addressed a packed meeting that took the decision. He emphasised the vital importance of the strike not only fo

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By PK  |   30-10-2014 09:32  |   0 Comments

£160,000 pay off for former St Mungos boss

Inside Housing today reports that Charles Fraser, former CEO at St Mungos, was given a pay off of £160,000 when he left the organisation.  Clearly there is no race to the bottom for CEO's!

Staff at St Mungos broadway, created through a merger with Broadway when Charles Fr

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By PK  |   28-10-2014 11:24  |   0 Comments

Following strike: Councils write to St Mungos Broadway

Following seven days strike action by Unite members at St Mungos Broadway councils two councils have raised questions about the organisation.

 

Jonathan McShane, cabinet member for social care at Hackney Council, is quoted in Inside Housing as saying: “We hope this

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By PK  |   24-10-2014 17:25  |   1 Comments

St Mungos Broadway strike raised in Parliament

Islington Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn has raised this Early Day Motion (EDM 394) in Parliament:

 

"That this House supports workers at the homeless organisation St Mungo's Broadway in defending their terms and conditions and the service that they deliver to some of t

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By pk  |   24-10-2014 12:11  |   1 Comments

St Mungos Broadway striker writes in the Guardian

On today's Guardian website:

'Why we're striking' – St Mungo's Broadway worker shares motivations

A staff member explains wages aren’t dropping but he’s been on strike this week to protect services at the chari

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By pk  |   24-10-2014 10:03  |   0 Comments

Strike one - day six

Solidarity increases.

 

We’ve done it again! SMB Unite has been out again in numbers. And it has to be said that the day was marked by even more acts of solidarity for our dispute and support than yesterday.

 

On Day six we

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By JH  |   22-10-2014 22:05  |   0 Comments

Strike Day 5 Report

Doing the Locum – otion.

 

Day 5 has seen the most incredible examples of solidarity extended towards our members from a range of trade unionists, councilors and commissioners.

 

Before the rain had stopped and before the d

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By   |   21-10-2014 22:12  |   0 Comments

Strike report - day four

Strike one. Day four.

 

A rats tail

 

After a strong showing over the weekend, the day began with picket lines gathering across London and in Bristol. Members were set to maintain the strong presence of the previ

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By J  |   21-10-2014 04:35  |   1 Comments

Britian needs a pay rise - picketing goes well

Day two – National TUC demo - Britain needs a payrise.

 

 

Picketing goes well.

 

It was another successful and inspiring day.

 

Picket lines ran without a hitch at

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By JH  |   20-10-2014 05:49  |   0 Comments

Day One St Mungo Broadway strike: Amazing day of action

What an amazing day of action! We felt the strength of our collective muscle yesterday in a series of pickets that culminated in a massive rolling protest! 

 

Nineteen picket lines were planned for day one of our seven-day strike, and nineteen picket lines were put i

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By JH  |   19-10-2014 14:31  |   0 Comments

St Mungos Broadway Strike starts today

Members at St Mungos Broadway will be on strike from 8.00am today.  Last minute negotiations at ACAS on Thursday failed to produce significant movement from management.  In the absence of movement from management the strike will last seven days.

There are eighteen pickets accr

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By PK  |   17-10-2014 05:02  |   0 Comments

WEA withdraws imposed proposals following strike vote

Unite members at the Workers Educational Association had voted by 85% in support of industrial action over an imposed restructure of London Region Staff without full and meaningful consultation. However, as a result of discussions with ACAS involvement, a last minute agreement ensures that the WE

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By   |   15-10-2014 07:02  |   0 Comments

MIPIM - all that's wrong in public housing policy

In the shadow of Mipim UK, tenants are fighting the bulldozers. Can’t we accept that public–private partnerships just don’t work?

 

Branch member Glyn Robins has this article in todays Guardian

 

The “pizza club” used

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By pk  |   14-10-2014 20:26  |   0 Comments

Unite on MIPIM: super rich cash in

The ‘super rich’, wealthy domestic and foreign property developers and ‘old money’ aristocrats are cashing in on Britain’s housing crisis, while 1.8 million households languish on council waiting lists.

These are the stark conclusions in a briefing by

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By PK  |   14-10-2014 11:35  |   0 Comments

St Mungos Broadway Urgent Strike Fund Appeal

St Mungos Broadway Strike Appeal

 

Unite members at St Mungos Broadway (from the Unite Housing Workers Branch) will be taking seven days of strike action in defence of their housing association, staff terms and conditio

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By Web Editor  |   09-10-2014 23:27  |   0 Comments

Unite members in St Mungos Broadway vote for action

Unite LE1111 members in St Mungos Broadway have voted for industrial action with an exceptional majority of 95.8%.  The turnout was an impressive 68%. Members will meet tommrow to plan future action.

 

The new executive team at St Mungos have imposed a range of chang

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By   |   07-10-2014 14:36  |   0 Comments

Our branch supporting Focus E15 Mums

The branch banner, held by Paul Kershaw and Glyn Robbins, was outside Bow County Court last Thursday (2nd Oct).  Over 200 people (including Russell Brand) were there to support the Focus E15 Mums who, along with estate residents and housing campaigners, have been occupying some flats on the

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By Glyn Robbins  |   07-10-2014 10:57  |   0 Comments

St Mungos Broadway in the press

The dispute at St Mungos Broadway is covered extensively on this website - keep visiting for more! It has also been covered in the trade press - we have attached a selection of reports from the last few weeks: click on "Download" below:


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By PK  |   03-10-2014 17:09  |   0 Comments

Unite says boycott MIPIM

Labour councillors in London are being urged to boycott a prestige property fair this month over fears that property developers stitch up deals that would  hit council tenants and leaseholders in the capital.

Unite, the country’s largest  union, said that Labour cou

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By PK  |   03-10-2014 14:14  |   0 Comments

Staff Lobby St Mungo Broadway Board AGM

A lively, peaceful protest was held outside the St Mungo's Broadway board meeting yesterday evening at Griffin House in Hammersmith. This was the meeting where the Executive Team took their proposals to reduce staff pay plus other changes to the Board of Trustees for approval.


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By Web Editor  |   01-10-2014 23:04  |   0 Comments

Four key changes in employment law - 1st October 2014

UK employment rights are amongst the weakest in Europe and are being further eroded by the government.  We defend decent conditions at work including basic equalities by our collective organisation but we seek to use any legal avenues open to us.  For a change, the four changes set out

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By Paul Kershaw  |   01-10-2014 22:57  |   0 Comments

Unite health members to join October strikes

Health workers will strike on October 13th. The day after, council workers and FE lecturers will be out followed by civil servants on October 15.

Unite health members to strike over Cameron’s ‘destructive’ NHS pay policy

David Cameron’s

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By PK  |   26-09-2014 16:16  |   0 Comments

St Mungo's Broadway Ballot for strike action

New swingeing cuts to pay, and changes to policies and procedures governing working conditions at housing charity St Mungo’s Broadway have prompted a strike ballot of more than 50

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By PK  |   24-09-2014 13:17  |   1 Comments

Peabody Tries to Get Shifty!

The Unite Housing Workers Branch and our reps in Peabody congratulate our members in the Peabody Revenues Team who recently made an inspiring stand against ill-considered proposals to change working patterns.

 

Following an away-day discussion earlier in the year, Peabody

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By Web Editor  |   19-08-2014 22:34  |   0 Comments

Hitchin: A Victory with a Twist!

Unite members at St Mungo’s Broadway recently won a significant victory which gave two great results – an improvement in pay, terms and conditions for staff at the affected Hitchin project, and upward harmonisation for other staff when the Hitchin project was TUPEd to another

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By Web Editor  |   17-08-2014 18:24  |   0 Comments

Helen Giles - The Root of All Evil

Helen Giles has recently taken over as Executive Director of HR in St Mungo's Broadway following St Mungo's merger with Broadway earlier this year.

 

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By Web Editor  |   16-08-2014 20:07  |   0 Comments

Paul Kershaw Article - Defending Social Housing

Real 'social' housing

 

11 August 2014

 

This week’s Observer newspaper splashes the story of care workers in Doncaster entering their 48th day of strike action against pay cuts of up to 35% and a new lower grade for new starters, on

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By Paul Kershaw  |   15-08-2014 20:14  |   0 Comments

New Strike Dates Set at OHG

Members at One Housing Group have announced four further days of strike over the sacking of lead convenor, Bryan Kennedy, and the general treatment of staff at the association. 

 

The strike will take place from 8am on Friday 8th August to 8pm on Monday 11th

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By Web Editor  |   02-08-2014 10:31  |   0 Comments

Look Ahead Victory! Strike Off!

There has been a stunning eve-of-strike victory for Look Ahead Unite Members.  

 

After weeks of negotiation and an escalating threat of industrial action, with a seven day strike due to start on Thursday 9th July, members working in the four Hackney Look Ahead servi

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By Web Editor  |   09-07-2014 19:45  |   0 Comments

Look Ahead Picket Lines

Unite the union’s members in Look Ahead will now be starting a seven day strike from Thursday 10th July (alongside millions of public sector workers) until Wednesday 16th July. Picket line details are as follows:

 


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By Web Editor  |   09-07-2014 10:18  |   0 Comments

Bryan Kennedy Hearing Postponed - But Not the Protest!

One Housing Group has today postponed Bryan Kennedy's appeal hearing. Management have not given any particular reason (maybe they didn't like the film starring the CEO???). Whatever ... Our message to Bryan is that wherever and whenever OHG reschedule the hearing, we will be there to supp

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By Web Editor  |   08-07-2014 22:04  |   0 Comments

Protest at Bryan Kennedy Appeal Hearing

On Wednesday 9th July, members and supporters of the 'I'm Bryan' campaign will be protesting outside Bryan Kennedy's appeal hearing. Bryan was dismissed in June from One Housing

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By Web Editor  |   07-07-2014 21:04  |   0 Comments

Look Ahead - Strike On!

Unite the union’s members in Look Ahead will now be starting a seven day strike from Thursday 10th July (alongside millions of public sector workers) until Wednesday 16th July.

 

The members work at a vital men

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By Web Editor  |   05-07-2014 20:58  |   0 Comments

Re-Instate Bryan Kennedy - Petition Launched

We have now started a petition for Bryan Kennedy's re-instatement. This follows the shocking and disgraceful news that he was sacked on Tuesday 17th June despite a 10 year unbelmished record of performance. We are calling on all branch members and supporters to sign the petition at

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By Web Editor  |   22-06-2014 15:54  |   0 Comments

Look Ahead - Another Great Protest!

On Thursday 19th June Unite members at Look Ahead organised a second, highly successful and well-supported protest outside Hackney Town Hall.

 

Staff at Look Ahead Housing in Hackney are facing their second substantial pay cut in two years. In 2012 Look Ah

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By Web Editor  |   19-06-2014 21:39  |   0 Comments

Branch Backs the 'Stop G4S' Campaign

The Unite Housing Workers branch is backing the 'Stop G4S' campaign. This campaign, a coalition of activists, trade unionists, and non-governmental organisations, aims to highlight G4S's global human rights abuses, and to stop it being awarded public service contracts. The Stop G4S ca

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By Web Editor  |   15-06-2014 16:01  |   0 Comments

Look Ahead - The Unite Fight Back Continues!

On Thursday 12th June Unite members at Look Ahead organised a protest outside Hackney Town Hall Forty affected staff members attended the lively lobby to protest at Look Ahead's decision to run down essential support services in Hackney.

 

The members are n

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By Web Editor  |   15-06-2014 15:41  |   0 Comments

Greenwich Unite Speaker - Fighting Bullying and Harassment

Many members will be all too familiar with workplace bullying and harassment, and the difficulties of getting employers to address the issue. In Greenwich, a group of Occupational Therapists have decided that enough is enough and, toget

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By Web Editor  |   08-06-2014 15:45  |   0 Comments

Look Ahead Attacks its Workers - Unite Members Fight Back!

Unite the union’s members in Look Ahead's vital mental health services are already on low pay, having received an average pay cut of 15% less than two years ago. Yet now, their disgraceful employer is expecting them to take a further 14% pay cut.

 

Skilled posts

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By Web Editor  |   06-06-2014 21:08  |   0 Comments

OHG Strike in Support of Bryan Kennedy

Unite members at One Housing Group will be on strike between Friday 6th June and Tuesday 10th June 2014.

 

T

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By Web Editor  |   02-06-2014 22:48  |   0 Comments

Urgent Appeal for Funds

Urgent resources needed! The Unite Housing Workers Branch has run a number of high profile campaigns - This has included almost forty days of industrial action in the last year, including highly successful action at One Housing Group, St Mungo (Hitchin project) and the Homes and Communities

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By Web Editor  |   08-05-2014 22:23  |   0 Comments

Lambeth 'Co-Operative Council' Accused of Closing Housing Co-ops

Lambeth Council, which cynically markets itself as a ‘co-operative council’, has been accused by Lambeth United Housing Co-Op of 'destroying housing co-ops that have existed in the borough for 40 years'. In a statement, the LUHC says the Council is recalling '

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By Web Editor  |   06-04-2014 20:08  |   0 Comments

Pay Up Website Launched

Unite has launched an excellent informative and interactive new website as part of its Fair Pay campaign which includes a wealth of resources for representatives, members and activists across our sector.

 

The website includes the following features:

 


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By Web Editor  |   02-04-2014 23:07  |   0 Comments

HCA Strike Fund Appeal

As reported previously, Unite members at the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have taken 3 days of strike action (25-27 March) over the divisive and unfair way that the Agency has chosen to allocate pay, and because the Agency has consistently failed to negotiate in any meaningful way. See

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By Web Editor  |   02-04-2014 22:58  |   0 Comments

New Video: The Role of Union Learning Reps

A new video from unionlearn provides insight into the role of union learning representatives. Click here for more information:

 

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By Web Editor  |   20-03-2014 23:22  |   0 Comments

Unite Report: London Health Crisis!

A landmark report, launched today on London’s NHS highlights a cash strapped and fragmented health service – and proposes an 18-point plan to save the capital’s NHS.

 

Unite regional secretary for the London region Pete Kavanagh said: “This report

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By Web Editor  |   20-03-2014 23:14  |   0 Comments

Housing Associations: £1.9m Surpluses!

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have published this year’s global accounts for the sector which again show a record surplus.  Worth remembering every time pay claims, staffing levels and work intensification is discussed.

The report states: “The sector continued

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By Web Editor  |   20-03-2014 23:05  |   0 Comments

Unite On Strike at the HCA

Unite members at the Homes and Communities Agency have taken 3 days of strike action (25-27 March) on over the divisive and unfair way that the Agency has chosen to allocate pay, and because the Agency has consistently failed to negotiate in a meaningful way on this key issue. The strike followed

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By Web Editor  |   17-03-2014 22:27  |   0 Comments

Bob Crow, Tony Benn - One Week, Two Losses

Tribute to Bob Crow, RMT

At its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, our branch paid tribute to Bob Crow, an inspiring and brave trade union leader who died suddenly the previous day. He was an outstanding leader who was not willing to be held back from fighting in his members' inte

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By Web Editor  |   14-03-2014 21:53  |   0 Comments

Public sector women bear unpaid overtime burden

The number of staff doing unpaid overtime has gone up in the public sector over the last decade, but has held steady in the private sector, according to a new analysis of official figures by the TUC. We know from branch research that housing associations have matched the public sector in that res

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By PK  |   01-03-2014 12:28  |   0 Comments

Health and safety: Unite warning on claims management rip off

Unite is taking a professional negligence claim against two high street law firms who failed a former food worker with industrial deafness.

 

The law firms, acting for a claims management company, were engaged after the former Northern Foods employee and

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By PK  |   01-03-2014 11:49  |   0 Comments

Associations Warn They Will Snub HCA Grant Funding

Inside Housing has reported a warning from housing associations which "won’t bid for grant funding if they are required to build small homes"

 

They will reject up to £1.7 billion of HCA grant "if they are forced to build large numbers of one an

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By Web Editor  |   28-02-2014 20:37  |   0 Comments

Housing Workers and an Increase in Tenant Suicide Threats

Almost half of housing staff have experienced resident suicide threats according to a recent report from the consultancy, 'Straight Forward'. Just 25% of workers report feeling well equipped to deal with the situation. The VIEW

By Web Editor  |   08-02-2014 15:47  |   0 Comments

ACAS Guidance on Breastfeeding

Unite reps supporting women who wish to continue breast feeding when they return to work will get useful information from this new guidance from ACAS, the government's employment advice service.


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By Web Editor  |   08-02-2014 15:44  |   0 Comments

Heartless Mungos!

St Mungo's sudden decision to pull out from homeless provision in Hitchin following strike action by branch members at the North Herts Sanctuary has recieved extensive media attention. There is coverage in the trade press and local media, including this  VIEW

By Web Editor  |   08-02-2014 15:17  |   0 Comments

Pay Up!

An army of low paid local government workers will demand an end to poverty pay rises as thousands gear up to take part in todays joint union day of protest. 

Lunchtime protests are planned outside council buildings and town halls across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Uni

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By Paul Kershaw  |   08-02-2014 15:13  |   0 Comments

Tighten Up on Safety!

Reporting near-misses and other safety concerns - as well as accidents - has become more important than ever after ch

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By Web Editor  |   06-11-2013 13:49  |   0 Comments

St Mungos Strike - Hitchin Project

Unite members at St Mungo's North Herts Sanctuary homeless shelter in Hitchin are on strike after charity bosses have refused to honour an agreement made in July to give them the

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By Housing Workers  |   30-10-2013 08:48  |   0 Comments

NEWS ARCHIVE