TheGuardian: Why isnt homelessness election priority? A response
"Britain has a horrific homelessness crisis. Why isn't it an election priority?"
‘When Labour wins we all win’
Labour will transform working peoples lives
Unite’s sector conferences meet this week at an extraordinary time in our politics. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to elect a government that gives work
It’s Time to Be Honest about Housing
For decades terms like 'affordable,' 'social,' 'mixed' have been used as cover for market failures in housing - it's time to move on from those schemes and commit to a real solution: council housing. Branch member Glyn Robbins has this in VIEW
Meridian Water: Call for truly affordable council homes
Halt plans for unaffordable homes - build council homes under a Labour government
Chance to offer hope to those trapped by Enfield's housing emergency
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Peabody surplus up – but pressing ahead with brutal cuts
Strike ballot
Peabody Housing today announced a £14 million rise in it’s surplus in the last six months taking it to £67 million.
Meanwhile neighbourhood Managers faced with
Pay claim for Peabody Care and Support
No pay rise for six years
Some of Peabody Housing staff in its Care and Support Directorate have received no pay increase for six years.
To make matters worse they get smaller pension contrib
Victimised Mungos Worker Speaks - November Branch Meeting
St Mungos was found guilty at Tribunal of victimising one of its workers for bringing an equal pay claim. The worker will speak at the next branch meeting. The finding adds to the long list of misdemeanors committed by the organisation, including being forced to apologise for sharing data on migr
St Mungo’s apologise for sharing rough sleeper information
Executive still in place after role in deportations
St Mungo’s Chief Executive Howard Sinclair has apologised for sharing information about migrant rough sleepers with the Home Office saying, “The executive
£1 million cuts plan: Peabody workers announce strike ballot
Devastating consequences
Peabody housing plan £1 million cuts to housing management budgets by March 2020 with potentially devastating consequences to residents and workers. Unite members have voted overwhelmingl
Pay victory for Greenwich housing workers
Strike suspended
About 120 housing repair workers at Greenwich council have suspended their strike action (reported here) after securing a
Unite reps success confronting workplace Brexit challenge
Combat industrial problems
Major new research shows that Unite members are working together to successfully confront the challenges Brexit is presenting in workplaces up and down the country. Despite widespread po
Greenwich housing repair workers to strike
Five day strike over new pay structure
About 120 housing repair workers at Greenwich council are to strike for five days in disgust over the way they have been treated; see earlier report VIEW
Housing Association bosses pay up 3.61% this year
Inflation beating increases for housing bosses
It’s October and as we have come to expect, Inside Housing magazine have produced their survey of the pay of VIEW
Equal Pay: St Mungos victimise female worker
Low ethical standards
Homelessness workers across the sector continue to express dismay at the low ethical standards of senior management at St Mungos which can undermine the important work carried out by its staff.
Workers at ForViva housing association vote to strike
Over 90% vote for strike
Unite housing maintenance workers at,the north west based housing association ‘ForViva’ have voted to strike with a 90.6% majority. The 100 electricians, plumbers, roofers and
Greenwich council housing repair workers vote to strike
Pay Structure
About 120 housing repair workers at Greenwich council have overwhelmingly voted to strike as they are disgusted over the way they are being treated, Unite, Britain and Ireland’s largest union, said
Stop the Rot! Open Meeting
We are demanding an end to frontline cuts and restructures.
The Unite Housing Workers Branch has teamed up with the Social Housing Action Campaign, bringing together tenants, residents and workers affected by frontline cuts and restructures.
Arguing With Accounts - Reps Forum Training Session
The social housing sector is rich. So how come our employers argue that cuts to our pay, terms and conditions are needed?
When economic efficiency is used as an argument, management can point to apparently impenetrable accounts for their justification.
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Unite report exposes Universal Credit
Bombshell report launched today laying bare the misery of Universal Credit
Firefighters important new report on Grenfell
Fire fighters: Austerity and privatisation by consecutive governments led to Grenfell
An important new report from the Fire Brigade Union (FBU), points to the real causes of the fire at Grenfell Tower.
Climate Strike - 20th Sepember 2019
This week, Unite Assistant General Secretary Steve Turner joined many other union leaders when he called on the trade union movement to back school climate change strikes on 20 September. He told the Trade Union Congress:
“Congress,
St Mungos ballot result
St Mungos members:
Thank you to everyone who returned their ballot paper.
78% of you voted in favour of strike action. This is a very strong indication of h
Notting Hill Genesis
Calling All Reps and Activists!
Unite has now announced the date of the next national Housing Reps Forum. This meeting involving all branches representing members in housing associations and other housing bodies is a great opportunity for reps to meet and build campaigns across the sector.
St Mungos: Why I'm voting yes part3
St Mungo’s members share their stories
In the third of our series of first-hand accounts from Unite members at St Mungo’s on why they’re voting for strike action, we meet two more members* w
St Mungos: Why I'm voting yes for action
Why Im voting yes
"This strike is about similar issues to the strike in 2014. The success of that strike has protected terms and conditions since then and we need to stand together now
Unite launches silica register
Unite launches silica register to protect workers whose health could be damaged by dust inhalation
Work in houisng and construction can lead to contact
St Mungos in industrial action ballot
Management walked out of the last negotiations at the ACAS conciliation service. For more about the dispute see here - and for victimisation concerns see VIEW
St Mungos urged to investigate victimisation claim
Trade union victimisation allegation
Unite is today urging Robert Napier, the chair of the board of the homeless charity St Mungo’s, to carry out an immediate investigation into an allegation of victimisat
Strike ballot at St Mungos
STRIKE BALLOT AT ST MUNGO'S HOMELESS CHARITY AS ACAS TALKS FAIL
Unite has expressed disappointment at the collapse of talks at ACAS to resolve the dispute over the changes to terms and conditions at the St Mungo
Mark Francois MP to Raise Unite @ Sanctuary Issues
Mark Francois MP has agreed to raise the detrimental contract changes being threatened by Sanctuary Care on behalf of our members working in the service.
On the 2nd July, reps and branch officers went to meet with Clive Efford MP who agreed to write to Sanctuary stressi
Unite wins paid time off for Peabody worker
Threatened with weapon
Peabody Unite were recently successful in obtaining paid time off for an operative working in an area of the business treated as a subsidiary and therefore where no sick pay is paid.
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Peabody Reps Win Safety Victory!
Unite reps at Peabody have successfully challenged the practice of refusing paid sickness leave for operatives in a case that clearly demonstrates the empowerment of staff through an organised union.
The member concerned was an operative working in an area of the b
St Mungos: further talks
Unite in further Acas talks with homeless charity St Mungo’s after no progress is made
A second round of talks aimed at resolving a long running dispute between the UK and Ireland’s largest unio
Grave concerns about leadership of homelessness agencies
Deportations
Unite housing workers welcome reports that some Labour councils are VIEW
Next Steps for Unite @ Centrepoint
Unite @ Centrepoint is consulting members on the next stages in its pay campaign.
Unite have been negotiating with Centrepoint management over a period of time regarding the annual cost of living award. Despite all efforts negotiators were unable to reach
Unite Deputation to Greenwich Councillors
Camila, Theresa, Comfort, Julie and Yvette were the five workers from Sanctuary Care who visited Councillor Babatola on Saturday 6th July as part of Unite's campaign to scupper Sanctaury's attempt to cut their terms and conditions. They were the five incredibles, five women who refus
Branch Summer Social 2019
We are delighted to announce details of our Branch's 2019 Summer Social. Please join us for food, drink, and lots of good chat!
August Soc
St Mungos: talks to avoid strike action.
Unite in crunch talks with homeless charity St Mungo’s to avoid strike vote
Crunch talks between Unite and the homeless charity St Mungo’s are set to take place tomorrow (Friday 12 July) at the conciliation service Acas i
Next Branch Meeting - Tuesday 9th July
Please come along and tell us about the issues for members in your workplace; we can discuss strategies, and identify branch support:
Unite joins new campaign to end sexual harassment at work
Sexual harassment rife
Unite has joined the TUC and an alliance of other unions, charities and women’s rights groups in a new campaign to end sexual harassment in the workplace.
The lau
Cautious welcome to new CITB bricklaying training scheme
Unite, the construction union, has given a cautious welcome to a new initiative by the Construction industry Training board (CITB) designed to help ensure trainee bricklayers gain the
Sanctuary Care Members Meet Clive Efford MP
Representatives from three Sanctuary Care homes in Greenwich met with Clive Efford MP to outline grave concerns about proposed cuts to their working conditions which they believed would also be detrimental to the vulnerable residents they care for. Also present were the Branch Secretary and
New survey finds stress epidemic amongst housing workers
Burnt out, undervalued and poorly paid
A new survey of housing association workers has revealed an epidemic of work-related stress among staff who feel burned out, undervalued and poorly paid.
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BAME workers discipined by St Mungos
Deepening problem
When Unite looks at figures for disciplinaries we almost always find more frequent use of disciplinary procedures and higher penalties being doled out to black and minority ethnic workers. Where a dr
Unite @ Sanctuary Members Update
Members working at Sanctuary Care have received a letter from Sanctuary management stating, among other things, that:
-
the consultation
Concern at treatment of Unite rep at St Mungos
Targeting the convenor: full support from the branch
The leadership team at St. Mungo's is targeting the Lead Unite Convenor at St Mungo’s in an attempt to intimidate and restrict Uni
Grenfell Anniversary Event - 14th June
The Unite Housing Branch and the Social Housing Action Campaign (SHAC) will participate in the Grenfell anniversary event on the 14th June.
Calling All Unite Sanctuary Members!
Sanctuary Housing Group has continued with its plan to reward long-serving, hard-working frontline staff, who care for vulnerable residents and service users, by threatening to cut their pay, terms and conditions.
Our Unite @ Sanctuary members are uncowed, and gearing u
BBC Panorama’s ‘Crisis in Care’
Unite statement on Panorama's 'Crisis in Care' programme
Reacting to BBC Panorama's programme broadcast last night (Wednesday, 29 May) Gail Cartmail, Unite's assistant general secretary for the pub
Preventing violence: Unite calls for statutory duty
Tackling serious violence needs real investment in preventative services!
Unite has submitted its response to the Home Office's draft plans for a new legal duty to
St Mungos update
Unite in St Mungos
While the need for homelessness services continues to rise, the management in some of the providers have been acting like commercial organisations seeking
Transforming the estate I work in
The current issue of Tribune carries this article in which a branch member and housing manager describes the transformation of the estate where he works as the area is rebranded tech city.
The neoliberal city
Housing association cuts hours with no loss of pay
Welcome contrast
A London housing association is to cut working hours with no loss of pay, bucking the trend in social housing.
Unrealistic workloads and mou
Unite @ Centrepoint Pay Survey Now Open!
Unite @ Centrepoint has launched a survey of members to consult on the latest offer from the executive, and find out whether members will agree to strike action if the organisation doesn't improve on
RPI inflation hits 3.0%
Pay falling behind
“The recent jump in the retail prices index (RPI) to 3% means that pay awards are falling slightly behind inflation, according to analysis by XpertHR” reports VIEW
Voices need to be heard - youth service cuts
The young and people supporting them must be recognised
This blog was written by Orintha Lloyd as part of her work experience with Unite and clearly demonstrates that young people nee
70% of LGBT people sexually harassed at work - join the union!
70% of LGBT people sexually harassed at work - join the union, contact your Unite reps
Peabody's well known Community Safety Team threatened
Domestic violence service threatened
Staff were shocked last weel to hear of brutal and sudden cuts at Peabody housing. In a move taken in great haste and without proper consultation, amangement are seeking to close do
Blacklisting: 'Historic' settlement
Unite secures million pound plus legal settlement
Unite has settled its current long running blacklisting case against the construction companies who systematically ruined the lives of their workers.
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Sanctuary Care staff bullied by managers
Manager ripped up leaflets
Staff in care homes managed by Sanctuary Care in Greenwich have been threatened and bullied by managers in a crude response to discontent at the housing association’s p
Unite wins big equal pay payout
£150,000 equal pay victory lifts lid on pay inequality at Royal Bank of Scotland
In housing associations Unite has opposed the move toward spot salaries and away from ‘the rate for the job’ and p
RPI figure shows inflation at 2.4%
Cost of Living - Going Up
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The latest RPI figure shows inflat
Labour homelessness campaign launch
Rotten System
Branch members joined the crowd at the launch of the Labour Homelessness campaign last night. We heard Owen Jones describe homelessness a
Unite Meets with Sanctuary Care Managers
We met today with two representatives of Sanctuary Care's management. Two elected representatives from the Greenwich care homes were present, as well as two officers
Rochdale housing workers to vote for strike action over low pay
Huge pay cuts
The 170 plus members of Unite, employed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), have seen their pay cut by 21.7 per cent in recent years, as a result of a series of pay freezes and below inflation pay increases. The hous
Centrepoint pay cut rejected
Centrepoint management offer real terms pay cut
Management at the homelessness agency Centrepoint offered their workers a real terms pay cut at a meeting with Unite last week. This would be the t
Lobby Greenwich Council - 15th May - Support Sanctuary Members
Please join our lobby of Greenwich council in support of Unite Sanctuary members.
We will be asking councillors to prevent Sanctuary’s executive from making severe cuts to care workers’ pay and conditions. Our members provide essential care services to vulne
Rough sleeping cuts: agencies should work with Unite
Spending on rough sleeping halved since 2010
Spending on single homeless people has more than halved since 2010 while rough sleeping has risen by 165% since 2010. No one should be surprised that deaths of homeles
Sanctuary Members: No Surrender! More Action!
18 April 2019
What better way to end the bank holiday week than with a packed and resolute meeting of our Sanctuary Care workers demanding that if the employer doesn't meet their demands, we move to ballot for strike action.
Hypocritical housing associations
Turning up the heat on hypocritical housing associations
Our branch secretary and Executive Council member Suzanne Muna writes in today's VIEW
Brexit on our terms
Trade unionists are not bystanders to the industrial impact of Brexit
We discussed the Unite reponse to Brexit at our branch recently includin
Unite and SME construction firms agree 2.75% pay rise
Comes in to effect June 2019
The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) has agreed a one-year deal involving a 2.75 per cent pay rise to come into effect in June 2019. This is a result of the succ
Too stressed to work
Rise in stress driven by poor management according the HR managers professional organisation
A new report from the professional body for HR managers confirms the experience of Unite reps in housing associations; st
Sanctuary Care - Next Meeting Date
Our members in Sanctuary are determined to fight back against cuts to their terms and conditions. Our members care for vulnerable and elderly clients, but are now discovering that Sanctuary doesn't care about them.
The previous angry an
Women's Lives Matter - Branch Discussion - 9th April 2019
We are delighted to announce that we have a Special Guest Speaker, Sarah Sachs-Eldridge, for our April Branch Meeting. Sarah will be outlining why the 'Women's Lives Matter' campaign is relevant to both men and women within our branch. The meeting details are:
Unions demand 5% pay increase for Peabody workers
Pay up Peabody
Despite bumper surpluses housing workers at Peabody have repeatedly suffered real terms pay cuts. Now they are saying “enough is enough." Below is the text of a Unite leaflet. Peab
Spy cop unmasked
Identity of former spy cop who spied on activists revealed
The issue of undercover police working undercover in legitimate camapigns and trade unions raises fundamental democratic issues. Our branch has been a s
Slamming Slumlords and Bullying Bosses
On May Day, after we have marched proudly alongside comrades from across the trade union and socialist movement, we will make our way to a picket of the UK Housing Industry awards which will be taking place inside the Grosvenor Hotel. Everyone is invited to join us: 6pm,&
Kate Davies questioned by Notting Hill Genesis staff
Housing Association senior managers part of corporate machine
Newly formed mega housing association Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) held its Corporate Strategy Event on 21st March. The purpose of the event
Unite on construction apprenticeships
More needs to be done
Unite has warned that proposals by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) to give the official titles of craftsperson and master craftsperson to workers who undertake an apprenticeship, published yest
Latest RPI figure shows inflation at 2.5%
Cost of Living - Going Up
The retail price index is the inflation measure that Unite believes best reflects real costs.
The latest RPI figure shows inflation at 2.5%
On 13 February the UK Government’s Office for National
Channel 4 expose Sanctuary - they are also attacking staff
We often point out that housing associations that treat staff badly also tend to treat their residendents badly. Channel Four Dispatches recently reported on Sanctuary Housing Group's failings towards tenants; our members in Greenwich care homes also feel badly treated.
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Mitie industrial relations mess
Mitie in industrial relations mess and should be barred from Interserve contracts, says Unite
Unite is warning that outsourcing giant Mitie should be barred from acquiring contracts from Interserve d
Mears and Mitie housing workers gear up for industrial action
Housing maintenance workers in housing associations will support this dispute. Housing associations concede that poor repairs performance is a major issue for residents and recognise that labour shortages linked to Brexit are a 'threat' to their business plans - but do not always reco
Time off for family and dependants
'Work Voice Pay monthly' from Unite contains regular 'bite size' suggestions for bargaining. Are you taking up work life balance with members where you work? Let us know what you think and read the short guide below.
Winning in the Workplace Training - Sat 30th March 2019
Session Aims
Whenever we’re in dispute with the bosses, whether over pay, changed shifts, or the failure to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, a campaign always dramatically increases our chances of winning.
The Alternative Housing Awards 2019
The Alternative Housing Awards 2019 will take place on Wednesday 1st May, 6pm, at the Grosvenor Hotel - the home of exclusivity and privilege. It will coincide with the industry housing awards being presented in comfort and style inside.
Women hardest hit by cuts
Women relying on council services face a triple whammy from central Government cuts to local government funding
We are fighting back but women workers are amongst the hardest hit by austerity. Our bra
Branch Annual General Meeting 2019
It's that time of year again - the Annual General Meeting is upon us. For those unfamiliar with our processes, this is our collective opportunity to review how we got on in 2018/19 and decide how we want to progress in 2019/20. We also elect the Branch Committe, the group of activists
Catalyst: Pay, Union Recognition, Childcare & Equality
Detailed pay claim
Unite members in Catalyst housing have conducted a wide reaching consultation on their pay claim – that will be true of many workplaces in our branch.
Reps are prepa
Unite to force blacklisting boss back in court
Tenth anniversary of scandal
Unite is closing in on forcing Cullum McAlpine, one of the key architects behind the industrial scale blacklisting of construction workers, to account for his actions in court. The legal de
Councils should set 'no cuts' budgets
Lobby Enfield Council to stop Tory cuts Wednesday 27th February
Our members jobs are threatened by local authority jobs and the cuts have a drastic effect on services including VIEW
Housing support cuts lead to increased rough sleeping
St Mungo’s report produced in response to government strategy
Rough sleeping is on the rise because of austerity and specifically because of cuts in housing services. Jack Jeffrey, a branch member work
Unite’s new period dignity fight is making great inroads
"No need to secretly scurry"
Since Unite’s Period Dignity campaign national launch last September, the initiative has seen a series of successes among business both small and large
L&Q deny staff their bonus
£190m surplus this year
London housing association L&Q angered staff last week when it announced it would not pay them a bonus this year following an announcement that its projected surplus would be cut by &p
Unite demands full benefits for construction workers
Construction industry must get its house in order on worker benefits
Unite is launching a campaign to ensure that all workers in the industry, regardless of their employment status or where their e
‘Remember the past’
Unite, has launched an exciting new history project aimed at engaging directly with a new generation of workers and activists.
In praise of housing workers
Fundamental change
With the Moore-Bick inquiry adjourned indefinitely and many families still in temporary accommodation, 20 months on, Justice for Grenfell seems a long way off. Branch member Glyn Robbins wrote th
February Branch Meeting & Support for the Stansted 15
Our February Branch meeting is packed with important updates and decisions, with several motions being presented and we hope to include a special guest speaker from the Stansted 15.
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Burnout nation
Majority of British workers do not take their full holiday entitlement
Branch members report working longer than contracted hours and being unable to take annual leave. A new survey shows this is a problem across t
‘Proud to help out’
Unite HQ opens its doors to rough sleepers on coldest night of the year
Unite regional officer Tabusam Ahmed... thanked St Mungo’s staff, whose job secu
SHAC Linking housing workers and residents
100% vote for strike action
There was a good turnout on a freezing wet Tuesday evening for the latest SHAC open meeting this week. Stemming from an initiative by the Uni
Not only one ‘blue’ day
On ‘Blue Monday’, Unite highlights mental health in the workplace
On Blue Monday today (January 21) – popularly viewed as the ‘most depressing’ day of the year – Unite is highlightin
St Mungos fight goes on
St Mungo’s bosses trying to reinstate ‘race to the bottom’ T&Cs
Bristol st
Unite launches construction period dignity campaign
Unite reps in our branch have been raising the need for period dignity for all sections of workers as part of Unite's camapign see here
Unravelling Union Recognition - Branch Training - Sat 9th Feb
3rd January 2019
We are pleased to offer places on the Unravelling Union Recognition training, 11am - 2pm, Saturday 9th February, Unite London Region, 33-37 Moreland Street, London EC1V 8DU ( VIEW
Developing Links with Tenants - SHAC Meeting - 29th January
3rd January 2019
All branch reps and activists are invited to the next meeting of the Social Housing Action Campaign, 6.30pm, 29th January 2019 at Unite HQ, Holborn.
When the Unite team at Pe
Unite launch Brexit Immigration law helpline
Botched deal
Unite has launched a specialist helpline to assist migrant workers concerned about immigration issues as the UK leaves the European Union.
Our next branch meeting is a chance to
Peabody: Unite members victory follows strike vote
Unanimous agreement
Last week we reported that Peabody Direct staff had voted for strike action in protest at redundancy
Construction Industry Training Board betrayed
CITB’s betrayal of its workforce in Norfolk and across the UK brutally confirmed
Unite has said that the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is betraying 300 of its staff by effectively making them redund
Health and Safety bulletin
Unite Health & Safety bulletin
New accident bookThe HSE has published a second
Shelter workers secure pay victory
Strikes called off
Members of Unite, employed by housing charity Shelter, are celebrating victory after agreeing a vastly improved pay offer. The decision to accept the new deal means that the VIEW
Vote for strike at Peabody Direct
Unite members threatened with redundancy at the Peabody Direct call centre have voted to strike.
Over fifty “Peabody Direct” staff currently based
Winners of the Tarnished Trophies Announced!
The winners of the 2018 Tarnished Trophies have been announced following hundreds of votes from workers, residents and tenants. Top of the leader board for this year were:
Unity over Division
Unite nationally has launched its Unity over Division campaign in response to the rise of the far right in Britain and across Europe.
If you want a speaker at a workplace meeting or advice on camapigning on these issues do contact a branch officer
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Shelter staff to strike on pay
Shelter workers to strike next month following ‘derisory’ pay offer
Officers of Unite housing workers (LE1111 branch) send solidarity to our sisters and brothers working at Shelter.
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Peter Bedford Housing Association: Victory for Unite members
Hackney housing strike off as Unite celebrates victory in pay dispute
Planned strike action at Peter Bedford Housing Association, in Hackney, involving members of Unite has been called off after management agreed to ho
Peter Bedford HA: Strike to follow breached agreement
Hackney housing association facing week of strikes over broken pay promises
100% vote for action
Members
Mears buys Mitie's housing arm
Workforce must be protected
Unite the union, representing workers at both Mitie and Mears, is seeking reassurances from both companies that the workforce will be fully protected following today’s announcement (N
Catalyst £11,000 party for boss Redundancies for workers
Catalyst splash £11,000+ on invite only retirement bash for outgoing CEO, the same week some staff are informed of redundancy
Rod Cahill, the retiring CEO of Catalyst Housing Ltd, has enjoyed a lavish invite-only
Strike action at Peter Bedford Housing Association
100% vote to strike
Unite members at Peter Bedford Housing Association voted 100% to strike on a 96% turnout. The strike will start on Monday December 3rd at 8.00am and continue until Friday December 7th. <
#StopUniversalCredit Unite day of action 1st December
#StopUniversalCredit day of action 1st December
Join the #StopUniversalCredit day of action
- Saturday 1st December 2018
VIEW
Stress: a growing epidemic
Working days lost to stress blamed on poor management
Working days lost to stress increased by nearly a quarter in 2017 according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), leading to calls for a “culture change&r
Unite in housing: Pay up!
Housing association margins 'seriously impressive'
Housing associations regularly book record surpluses and margins well over 30 per cent described by Savills as “seriously impressive.” Meanwh
Handling Grievances and Disciplinaries Training
02/11/18
Reps are often called upon to support members through individual casework. This includes grievances and disciplinaries, capability procedures, contract changes, TUPE consultations, pay and pension
November Branch - Special Guest Speaker!
02/11/18
The leadership of the housing sector is not as inclusive as it should be, and doesn't reflect
Unite members at Peter Bedford ballot for pay strike
Refusing to pay increment
Unite members at Peter Bedford Housing Association are currently balloting for potential strike action over pay. Senior management are refusing to pay staff the incremen
Unite produces briefing on SHPS
Threat to housing workers pensions
Last Friday we reported on the anouncement that the biggest pension scheme in the sector, the Social Ho
Catalyst attempting to ram through reorganisation
Environmental services: redundancies threatened
Union busting Housing Association, Catalyst have recently announced plans to reorganise the
Threat to housing workers’ pensions: Unite will resist
Unite to resist any changes that result in a detriment to our members.
Around ten thousand housing workers could face attacks to their pension schemes following the announcement this week of further increases i
Mental health workers struggling under unsustainable workloads
Unite responds to the Care Quality Commission report on social care
Unsustainable workload
Mental health workers are struggling under unsustainable workloads, an NHS watch-dog
Report of ACAS diversity conference
A key element of the work of our reps is promoting diversity and training is availible through the union. Let us know if you have a report to share with other branch members or if you want support. The union currently has national campaigns for VIEW
London assembly questions housing association CEOs
Catalyst boss Rod Cahill fails to impress
Management communication with staff was allegedly helped by derecognising trade unions, at least according to Catalyst housing association boss Rod Cahill. Not surpr
Unite: lack of progress on cladding disgraceful
Likely that St Mungos passed on confidential information
“Likely that St Mungos passed on confidential information without permission”
Rough sleepers rounded up
The Information Commis
Theresa May: no solution to housing crisis
Housing Association bosses give Theresa May standing ovation
Housing association chiefs gave Theresa May a standing ovation for her speech to the National Housing Federation on Wednesday. There can’t be man
Housing Association boss’s get inflation busting pay rises again
Growing gap between workers and top executives
Housing Association boss’s have been awarded an average pay rise of 4.3% this year according to figures published in today’s VIEW | DOWNLOAD
Liverpool hospital safety scandal
Flammable cladding found on unfinished Liverpool hospital contracted out to Carillion
Unite is writting to all safety reps to ensure they are provided with clear evidence that cladding is safe.
Unite demands period dignity
Unite is demanding that women and girls have period dignity. By making changes in our workplaces, our places of education, and in society, women and girls will be able to have a positive period knowing that they are able to access sanitary products.
Catalyst Housing: senior pay races ahead of inflation
Catalyst Housing's annual report shows bumper pay increases for senior management. Below we reproduce the response of Unite reps at Catalyst where Unite has a growing membership and active presence despite the associations anti union stance and refusal to recognise trade unions.
Connection at St Martins restructure: Union fully consulted
Good practice and reducing cost of senior management
After a change in senior management, The Connection at St Martin's (CSTM) recently went through a restructure which will begin on the 1st October. The
Irish Embassy Protest - Support the Dublin Occupations
Housing activists in Dublin have occupied properties on Summerhill Parade and Frederick Street. They are resisting the obscenity of good homes standing empty for years while a growing tide of homeless fend for themselves on the city streets.The activists now face legal action and eviction.&n
Launching Show racism the Red Card's wear red day
Each October Show Racism the Red Card holds its annual Wear Red Day!
Some recent larger than usual events organised by the far right are a warning to the labour movement. At our branch meeting on Tuesday 11 Septe
HCA Pay Strike: Improved Options Approved!
Unite members at the HCA (Homes England and the Regulator of Social Housing) today voted overwhelmingly to endorse a revised set of options on pay following industrial action in July, and a sustained campaign over the last few months. The favoured options take a tiered approach and would signific
To Make HAs Better Landlords, Make Them Better Employers!
The government has published a paper seeking views on their 'vision' for social housing, which they say should provide "safe, secure homes that help people get on with their lives." If this is truly their aim, then government needs to focus not just on measures directly aimed at
September Branch Meeting - Opposing the Far Right!
We're delighted to announce that our next branch meeting will open with Peter Kavannagh, Unite Regional Secretary, on opposing the rise of the far right in Britain.
Housing Green Paper 'pitiful'
No new money
Faced with public outrage following the deaths at Grenfell tower, a deep housing crisis with unaffordable homes and rising numbers sleeping rough the government promised a “fundament
New Date for the Alternative Housing Awards 2018!
Housing association bosses love nothing more than adding to their shelf of nice shiny accolades. But instead of bosses’ self-congratulations, we want residents and workers to have a say.
Construction bogus self-employment rises again
Unite Research
Research by Unite has revealed a fresh rise in bogus self-employment in the construction industry.
A Freedom of Information request made by Unite to the HMRC revealed that 1,12
HCA: 13% real terms pay cut for staff - 'generous' pay at top
Pay settlements below inflation
A look at the recently published HCA Annual Report and Financial Stat
The Simmering Summer Social is Here!
This year, we will be partying as follows:
- Time: 7pm
- Date: Friday 17th August
Pay: information for fighting back
Pay increases
Union members at Torus Group have accepted an increase of 3.1% in 2018/19 following rejection of the initial offer of two per
Work and the heatwave
Temperature at work
Let us know how you are coping with the heatwave at work.
Employers have a legal duty to prevent injury and ill health to their employees if they are exposed to unreasonab
Catalyst sick pay mass grievance: staff still waiting
Catalyst dont recognise unions and appear not to recognise their own staff
Two hundred and forty staff at Catalyst housing are still waiting for a serious response to their grievance which challenges the draconian sick
Job Losses at Peabody Direct
Staff angered by Chief Executive comments
Over fifty “Peabody Direct” call centre staff based at Waterloo, have been warned that their jobs are to be transferred from March 2019 to ex-Family Mosaic offices
Unite fighting the far right
Peter Kavanagh, Unite Lon
Unite HCA Strike - Solid Support
12 July 2018
The strike at the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has been solidly supported across all workplaces, with solidarity provided across the trade union and labour movement. Reps will now put plans for a second phase of action out to members, aiming to&n
Strike Held at the Homes & Communities Agency
Latest update: Wednesday 11th July: Gather at Homes England headquarters on 12th July
Unite's national organising team will be at the Homes England headquarters (Windsor House, 42-50 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0T
Branch meeting - tackling the housing crisis
Branch meeting - all members welcome
As well as discussing what is happening in our workplaces including the strike at the VIEW
HCA Pay Strike On - 10th-12th July
6th July 2018
Unite members at the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) will be on strike in protest at years of real-terms pay cuts and pay inequality. The organisation is home to the Regulator of Social Housing and Homes England brands,
Nominate Now in the Alternative Housing Awards!
Tuesday 3rd July 2018
Housing association bosses love nothing more than adding to their shelf of nice shiny accolades. But instead of bosses’ self-congratulations, VIEW
Unite Policy Conference: £35 million strike fund
McCluskey: Bad bosses be warned, Unite is afraid of no-one
Unite has today pledged that its £35 million strong strike fund will support workers standing up against workplace abuse.
Addr
HCA Members Vote Yes to Strike!
Unite members at the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have overwhelmingly voted for strike action in protest at years of real-terms pay cuts and pay inequality. The organisation is home to the Regulator of Social Housing and Homes England brands, and Unite is the largest of three recognised tra
Catalyst housing staff submit grievance on harsh sickness policy
Harsh and possibly discriminatory
Over 200 staff at Catalyst Housing have submitted a grievance to the board of the association objecting to a harsh and possibly discriminatory new sickness absence policy which
‘Not a police attack’ Unite supports Lush cosmetics #spycops
Unite supports Lush cosmetics #spycops campaign
Our branch has a longstanding affiliation to the Campaign Opposing Police Surveillance
Poli
United We Organise: Open Event
You are invited to our open event for all housing association and co-op residents on Thursday 14th June, 6pm - 8pm, Unite HQ, 128 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8TN.
Data: GDPR and the workplace
Using new data regulations as an opportunity to negotiate better conditions
Unite Shop Stewards / Reps have an opportunity to further improve conditions for our members. This is particularly the case regarding workplace surveillance.
New data protection rules don’t trump safety reps’ rights
GDPR - Employers wrongly using them to restrict information to Health & Safety reps
The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) came into effect this week and some employers are ‘worryingly’ –
‘Enough is enough’
Thousands call for a better working deal at TUC march
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in London on Saturday (May 14) to demand a better deal for British workers, who are now enduring falling living stan
St Mungos facing legal questions
Lawyers complain to Charity Commission & Information Commissioner
Lawyers from the Public Interest Law Unit (Pilu) have lodged a complaint with the Charity Commission and the Information Commissioner’s Office
Savills: housing association profit margins increase
As Unite reps are discussing this year’s pay round with management further evidence confirms the remarkable profitability of housing associations.
Seriously impressive margins
Despite t
Do you know about the Unite asbestos register?
Register for all those who believe they have been exposed to asbestos at work
Unite maintains a register for all members who believe they have been exposed to asbestos at work. The database allows us to trace witnesses
Strike Action a Step Closer at HCA
Unite members at the Homes and Communities Agency have moved a step closer to strike action following an overwhelming vote in favour of balloting for industrial action.
The Agency, which has now rebranded its functions into Homes England and The Regulator of Socia
Branch Speaker - Len Hockey - Barts Health Branch!
We are delighted to confirm a great guest speaker for our forthcoming branch meeting.
About Len Hockey
Len has been a porter at Whipps Cross for almost 30 years, and is the Secretary of the local Unite health branch. They have regularly hit th
Below inflation pay offer: housing workers prepare strike action
Torus Group impose below infation pay
Unite members employed at Helena Partnerships Limited, Golden Gates Housing Trust and Torus 62 Limited, who undertake housing maintenance on social housing in Warrington and St Hel
Unite: Employers need to provide more quality apprenticeships
Low skilled jobs rebranded
The Reform think tank has produced a study showing that low skilled VIEW
Unite slams ‘dead end’ construction courses
Radical overhaul
Unite is calling for a radical overhaul in how construction training is undertaken, after unearthing a large increase in so called ‘dead end construction courses.
A fre
Gender pay gap: what to do?
TUC produce guide for activists
Unite reps in the housing sector have been reviewing the pay gap in their organisations - the new employer reports can be found VIEW | DOWNLOAD
Homeless reduction act not funded
Minister: "I dont know why rough sleeper numbers are up"
The new Homelessness Reduction Act comes in to force on April 3rd im
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Sexual harassment: EHRC plans welcomed but more needed
Non disclosure agreements
Recommendations by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) including outlawing non-disclosure agreements being implemented to prevent workers complaining of sexual harassment unless in
Protest at auction with £7.2 million social homes up for sale
Housing workers join tenants
Housing workers from Unite LE1111 joined London tenants this morning to protest at an auction where £7.2 million social homes were due to be sold.
Feeling the squeeze - fight back on pay
Wages need to rise faster than inflation
This week’s figures for price inflation show prices rising at 3.6% per year (RPI) and forecast to remain steady. That means we are still feeling a w
Is Mental Health First Aid the answer? Depends on the question
£15 million programme
A number of employers on the social housing sector have embraced the idea of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in recent years. The government has recently announced a £15 million p
Undercover rough sleeper
ITV Tonight Programme
In a TV programme screening tonight Tory MP Adam Holloway spends a week sleeping rough in Lo
Highly successful branch AGM
Marked increase in number of reps
Our highly successful AGM on Tuesday heard from our officer Adam Lambert that we have experienced a marked increase in the number of reps elected across the branch and positive reports
Survey on harassment and discrimination
Trade magazine Inside Housing has launched a survey on the prevalence of harassment, discrimination and negative comments based on identity in the housing sector.
Homelessness: For a Right to Shelter
Homeless people harassed
Cuts to services working with the homeless have meant that our members are working in what are sometimes impossible conditions. Local authorities have harassed homeless people
Jennie Formby: We must do better for women
My union helped me find my voice
Yesterday we reported on the 18.4% gender pay gap at ‘Homes England’. Here Jennie Formby,
Homes England gender pay gap 18.4%
Unsurprising but unacceptable
Unite reps at ‘Homes England’ said that the gender pay gap of 18.4% is unacceptable. The new government agency, which replaced the ‘Homes and Commu
Two Fantastic AGM Guest Speakers
St Mungos back in the news: rough sleeper deportations
Worked with Home Office patrols that illegally arrested and deported
Homelessness charity St Mungos is once again under scrutiny over its role in working with the Home Office in targeting rough sleepers for deportation
The Double – glazed glass ceiling
Black, Female, and not badly Educated
A recent survey by Inside Housing highlighted the lack of diversity at senior le
‘Record profits’ for housing associations
New Moody’s report
UK Housing Associations once again made record profits according to a new report from VIEW
Annual General Meeting 2018
4% inflation – what about our pay?
Real hardship
The RPI inflation figure stands at 4% with fuel and light costs up 6.5%. After many years of pay and conditions being squeezed in housing associations many Unite members are now calling for 5% pay i
CITB confirms it will exit training role
Skills black hole
News that the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has confirmed it will end all directing training by 2020, will create a skills black hole and strip the industry of the capability to undertake s
Strikes secure 20% pay increases at Manchester Mears
Unite claims victory following agreement in marathon Manchester Mears dispute
Housing workers have followed the dispute at outsourcing giant Mears in Manchester and will welcome this outcome. The Unite housin
Peabody workers defend pensions
Human and kind?
by Jack Frost
Generally the more an organisation talks about being ‘caring’, ‘kind’ and ‘human’, the less it actually is in reali
Deepening skills crisis in construction
Industry remains in denial on construction skills chasm
Unite has renewed its demands for radical action to be taken to tackle the deepening skills crisis facing the construction industry.
Unite made
Unite Equalities Conferences
Branch members in many workplaces are taking action on a range of equalities issues and responding to Inside Housing magazine's 'Inclusive Futures' initiative. Below Unite National officer for equ
Growing Unite Recruitment Prizes!
Between the 1st February and 30th April we are giving every member the opportunity to win a prize for each new member recruited. The prizes are:
Housing workers contribute to Labour Housing Policy review
Grenfell Tower fire brought home that Britain’s housing system is broken
The Unite housing workers branch has responded to Labour’s consultation on social housing policy by calling for a commitment to a mas
Tory council demonises homeless
Gloucester’s ad campaign shame
Our branch organises workers in a number of homelessness agencies and we camapign for decent properly funded homlessness services and against victimisation of the homeless as we
4.5% pay boost at Peter Bedford Housing Association
Positive result for members
Unite members at the small north east London supported housing organisation Peter Bedford Housing Association (PBHA) have agreed a pay dea
Inclusive futures campaign highlights lack of diversity
Welcome if it results in action
The trade magazine Inside Housing has launched a major campaign promoting ‘diversity and i
Fare increases outstrip pay
We pay five times as much as European commuters
Commuters were faced with around 3.6% fare increases today. As has been widely VIEW
Unite helps migrant workers with English
Unite helps migrant workers with English and so much more
Khadija Najlaoui’s first experience as a Unite rep will never leave her.
'Homelessness is a national crisis'
Unite in more rough sleepers’ homes now call
Homelessness is a “national crisis” and the Tories are “unacceptably complacent” about tackling it, a cross-party committee of MPs said today (
Blow to Govt 'hostile environment' for EU citizens policy
Home Office policy of deporting homeless EU citizens is illegal, High Court rules
The High Court has ordered the Government to stop deporting homeless EU citizens under a controversial policy that has been ruled unlawf
Deal or no deal at Catalyst Housing
Is the Catalyst People Deal a fair deal?
A proposed new “People Deal” at Catalyst Housing raises real concerns for staff – below we detail the proposals and their impact. Catalyst derecognised t
Grenfell families still homeless
Branch members support protest at Kensington Town Hall
Many families that survived the fire at Grenfell Tower face Christmas in hotels and only a small number have been permanently re-housed as over a hundred protestor
The battle for housing ideas
Pro-business ideology
There's a housing policy battle going on inside the Labour Party. Jeremy Corbyn has made a clear commitment to council housing, but others are continuing the doublespeak of the Blair/Brown yea
Unite challenges construction industry on training plans
Construction employers warn of Brexit cliff edge – Unite responds
In the midst of a widening skills crisis the construction industry must spell out how it will train more British workers to avoid a calamitous Bre
New Moody’s report gives financial thumbs up for associations
They can afford good services and a 5% pay increase
The ratings agency Moody’s has given housing associations a financial thumbs up noting the favourable policy environment and good operating margins in a new
Axe the Act - Housing Summit Pledges Action!
The second Axe the Act (AtA) Housing Summit took place on the 25th November attended by around 150 activists from housing campaign groups, housing organisations, trade unions, and other labour movement organisations. The meeting opened with speeches from Eileen Short, one of the AtA organisers, h
Budget – not the ‘game changer’ we need
Eighty per cent of housing budget going to private market
Just 2.5% of new homes built last year were social rented. Terrie Alafat, of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), is right to make the point: “So
Housing workers oppose 'hostile environment' for EU nationals
Judicial Review of the Home Office’s policy of detaining and deporting homeless EU citizens
Unite housing branch members will join a protest outside the Royal Courts on Justice on Tuesday Novembe
Inside Housing reports: how housing crisis hits housing workers
“I have been street homeless while working in the sector”
A major investigation by Insid
No more excuses: fit sprinklers now!
Government set face against paying
In the immediate aftermath of the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower the go
Labour and housing after Grenfell
Housing policy rarely been more political
After Grenfell, housing policy and what it’s doing to our communities has rarely been more in the political, media or public eye.
Housing campa
Dispatches on the #GreatHousingScandal
Familiar issues to Unite members
Publicly owned land sold off with minimal affordable housing built on the development – and the so called affordable housing that is built is unaffordable for local people;
Mears strike resumes
Shocking levels of mental illness and stress revealed problems among Mears Manchester housing workers
Mears is one of the biggest contractors in the housing sector for outsourced repairs. We have VIEW
Harassed at work? Unite can help
Dont suffer in silence
It all started with what at first glance might appear as an innocent comment here and there. But then the boss persisted.
Although Unite member and Woolwich Ferry
Housing Associations: surpluses up, staff costs down
Sector has largely strengthened its financial position
Housing associations have booked record surpluses year after year, along with positive indicators in all the main areas of finance while squeezing their employees.
Mears: 49 days of strikes
Manchester housing workers announce extensive strike action
06 November 2017
Members of Unite employed by Mears in Manchester in housing maintenance roles will begin a programme of 49 days of strikes next wee
Housing association deregulation takes another step
Housing Associations reclassified as private bodies
An obscure letter from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) to the treasury signalling its intention to move £63.5bn of housing association debt back off the
Government response to unpaid sleep-in shifts
Government response to unpaid sleep-in shifts delays pay justice for thousands
02 November 2017
Unite, the UK’s largest union, which represents thousands of social care workers has sharply criticised th
Unite reps at Catalyst housing challenging unhealthy workplaces
National Stress Awareness day
Today is National Stress Awareness Day, but Unite reps are dealing with the problems resulting from stress in the housing sector every day. Unite reps at Catalyst housing have
Unite takes legal action against Optivo on behalf of members
Mergers and restrucruings with scant regard to views of staff
Mergers and restructurings are pushed through across the housing association sector, often with scant regard to the views of staff. Unite is pursuing
More strike action at Mears Manchester
Mears Manchester workers overwhelmingly back fresh industrial action in pay dispute
Members of Unite, the UK’s largest union, employed by Mears in Manchester are set to renew strike action in a longstanding dispu
TUC Conference: A New Beginning?
By John Calderon
The TUC conference this year comes after significant political events which have helped shape the context in which the union leaders and delegations have considered their strategies and tactics.
1. the rise of the Labour Party
RPI inflation hits 3.9% Britain still needs a #PayRise
Real terms pay cuts
Figures released on October 17th show inflation at its highest for half a decade with the R
Centrepoint: action needed on workload and stress
70% of staff thinking of leaving
Members in Centrepoint (the homelessness charity) are clear - action is needed now to reduce workloads and stress, and to provide frontline workers with the resources they need to really help young peop
Catalyst Housing: I would leave tomorrow if offered another job
Catalyst's CEO reviewed his own company as an employer and gave them 5 stars
Some of you may have heard of Glassdoor.co.uk, a website where empl
Unite: May's housing commitments fall short
Government admits extra £2bn will fund only 5K homes a year
Theresa May’s promise to build “a new generation of council houses” during her speech to the Tory conference on Wednes
Unite demands action following racial disparity report
Another PR exercise?
Following mounting pressure on prime minister Theresa May after repeated delays to the publication of a racial disparity report, it was announced this week (October 3) that the study will be out on Tu
Fresh strike ballot at Mears in Manchester
Unite is balloting its members for fresh strike action in a longstanding dispute with Mears in Manchester.
Unite members employed in housing maintenance roles at Mears and at Manchester Working (a joint venture operated by Mears) have already taken 40 days of industrial
Hazards conference
Workplace health and safety reps
The annual Hazards conference takes place each year at Keele University. It is organised by Greater Manchester Hazards Centre (GMHC), part of a national network of Hazards Centres from
HA Workers and Residents - Open Meeting
The HA Workers and Residents Network will be holding an open meeting VIEW | DOWNLOAD
TUC discusses housing
The housing crisis – keenly debated at TUC Congress
Protecting workers' jobs and rights in Brexit Britain and an economy built on decent jobs with an active industrial strategy at its heart were among the key
RPI inflation hits 3.6% What about our pay?
Only senior executives avoid real terms pay cuts
Unite members will face a further squeeze as RPI inflation - the most realistic indicator of costs faced by workers - came in at VIEW
Plumbing pay deal win
Unite welcomes new agreement
Following lengthy negotiations with employer representatives from the plumbing industry, Unite has secured a three-year pay deal for plumbers employed under the Joint Industry Board
Remove 'pests' outrage
Eviction firm compares tenants to rodents
An eviction company has been slammed by Unite after running an advert comparing domestic renters to vermin.
The Facebook advert for the Remov
Branch member Glyn Robbins on Grenfell in the Guardian
Grenfell must be a turning point in housing – for staff and residents
Unite has been active in responsing to the terrible events at Grenfell, responding the VIEW
Join Us - Branch Meal - 18th August!
Bogus self employment up
Huge rise in construction bogus self-employment demonstrates urgent need for radical employment reforms
Unite is calling for root and branch reforms of employment rights after new figures demonstrated bogus self-employ
Grenfell: possible corporate manslaughter charges
Unite welcomes police ‘corporate manslaughter’ probe into Grenfell fire
The police’s investigation into possible corporate manslaughter charges relating to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, when an estimate
#BankStrike! Bank of England first strike in 50 years
Solidarity events
Tuesday 1st August Badge Day – collect a strike badge from the picket and wear to work!
Wednesday 2nd August Picnic Day – join the picket line for a lunchtime picnic to show your
When 'sleep-in' time counts!
In supported housing the question of working hours has been hotly debated. Here is a guide for reps and members cross posted from Unite for our Society.
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Barts Strike: Low paid workers two week action
Pressure on Serco
Pressure is growing on the private contractor Serco as hundreds of low paid workers at Barts Health NHS Trust prepare for a two week strike from Tuesday 25 July in their continuing fight against low p
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
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
Hot and bothered
Is your office too hot?
Amanda Campbell, Cross posted from UNITELive
You know what it can be like at w
Grenfell Tower Independent inquiry plea
Unite concerns over tenants’ fears ignored
Ryan Fletcher cross posted from Unite Live
Successive housing ministe
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
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
Unite @ Sanctuary - Next Members Meeting
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
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
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
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
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
#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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Unite supports #MarchAgainstRacism
London: 12:00 noon, (BBC) Portland Place, W1A 1AA
For information and details for other cities see here
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
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
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
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
National apprentiship week & dead end construction apprentiships
Unite for apprentiships
National Apprenticeship Week 2017 is taking place from 6-10 March 2017, promoting app
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
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
Pay: "Utterly shameful"
Shocking report shows UK nearly bottom for wage growth
Housing associations have been booking record surpluses year after year while squeezing
Stop benefit sanctions
National Day of Action Against Sanctions - Thursday 30 March 2017
Pushed people into sleeping rough
The government’s despised benefit
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
Next Workers and Residents Meeting Scheduled!
Monday 6th March 6.30pm
Faraday House, 48 Old Gloucester St London WC1N
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
‘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
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
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
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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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&
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
Strikes at the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
We agreed to send solidarity and a donation to strikers at our branch meeting on Tuesday night.
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
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
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.
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
Unite victory for breastfeeding mums
Working women’s right to continue breastfeeding after returning to work
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
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
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
Work stress at record levels - see our new resources
Seven in ten reps report problem
Findings published by the TUC on 10 October indicat
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
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
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
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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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”
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
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