Stop the steal - Fight for our future!

 

Reform UK has pledged to rip up legal protections for workers and renters.

Reform are proposing a so-called "Great Repeal Bill" to scrap rights secured in the Employment Rights Act - rights that millions of working people have fought hard to win.

Add your name to protect workers' rights

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Their Great Repeal Bill would strip our rights and our voice. It would hand power to bad bosses and rogue landlords. The planned attacks include: Taking sick pay, bereavement leave, and pregnancy protections off millions of workers. Legalising fire-and-rehire and workplace discrimination. Reintroducing "no-fault" evictions and reducing limits on rent increases.

Other campaign resources

Campaign webpage Campaign video Social media graphics

Together, let’s stop Reform’s Great Repeal Bill. https://www.tuc.org.uk/LESE

Workers Memorial Day 28 April 2026: 12 Noon (tbc) "Clasping Hands" Statue, 3 Mills Green, Stratford

 

"Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living"

The Greater London UNISON Housing Associations branch will be marking again, International Worker's Memorial Day, with a wreath laying event at the "Clasping Hands" Statue in 3 Mills Green, Stratford, Newham, East London at 12 Noon (tbc) Tuesday 28 April 2026.

This memorial stands on the site of a tragic and wholly avoidable incident, where a worker lost his life after being overcome by poison gas in a ventilation shaft — and others died, one after the other, trying to rescue them. Their courage and sacrifice remind us why the fight for safe, healthy workplaces must never stop.

For 2026, the TUC is focusing on the need to prevent violence at work — we want a greater protections from verbal and physical abuse and violence in workplaces, and protections enshrined in law, too.

Members, Safety reps and Staff Safety officers from local Housing Associations are expected but all welcome to pay their respects. Guest speakers invited.  Please bring banners. 

Further details to follow. Check out https://www.tuc.org.uk/IWMD/international-workers-memorial-day-events for updates and similar events across the country. 

Your TUC guide to new Employment Rights 2026

 

JG A fantastic victory for the Labour Movement. Our Labour Party political and trade union industrial wings working together to benefit all workers. More please more. 

The Employment Rights Act 2025 repeals major parts of the Trade Union Act 2016. These changes take effect from 18 February 2026.

Strong collective bargaining rights and unions are key to tackling problems of insecurity, inequality, discrimination, enforcement and low pay. The Trade Union Act 2016 undermines collective bargaining and it's welcome that large parts of it are being repealed.

Summary of changes

Trade union laws

The Employment Rights Act 2025 repeals major parts of the Trade Union Act 2016. Strong collective bargaining rights and unions are key to tackling problems of insecurity, inequality, discrimination, enforcement and low pay. The changes are as follows:

Simplified rules for taking industrial action

• The 40% support threshold for strikes in important public services (IPS) has been removed.
• Mandates for industrial action are increased to 12 months.
• Unions must give employers 10 days' notice of industrial action (previously 14).
• Unions no longer need to tell employers in advance how many workers in each role may strike.

Simpler ballot rules

• Ballot papers no longer need lengthy explanations of the dispute or action timetable.
• Members simply vote on the action they want to take: strike action or action short of a strike.

Changes affecting public sector unions

• Employers cannot charge unions admin fees for deducting subscriptions from pay.
• Public bodies no longer have to publish facility time data.
• The unused legal power to cap facility time has been removed.

Unfair picketing rules scrapped

• Unions no longer have to appoint a picket supervisor or follow the previous detailed supervisor requirements.

Stronger protection for workers

• Taking part in lawful industrial action is automatically protected from unfair dismissal, with no 12-week time limit.

Further details - before and after the law changes

The table below sets out the changes reps should be aware of - mostly repealing requirements and conditions introduced in the Trade Union Act 2016".

Check out further rights on TUC link below

Your guide to new Employment Rights 2026 | TUC

Hat tip picture Workers' Rights Poster: Impressionist Labor Union Art - Etsy UK

Every worker needs a union. Have you joined one yet?

 Every worker needs a union. Have you joined one yet? https://lnkd.in/ejAkzRHF

#HeartUnions

Last day of Love Unions Week 2026. Check out this TUC web site to find out which union you should consider joining. https://www.tuc.org.uk/heartunions . If you work in public services then go to JoinUNISON

Every worker needs a union. Have you joined one yet? https://lnkd.in/ejAkzRHF

#HeartUnions

TUC Congress 2025: Day 4

 

Last day of Congress. I was up early to go for final jog along the prom but it was raining, so being very much a fair weather runner, I went to the hotel gym instead. 

Congress started as usual at 9.30am beginning with the the latest "Union wins video", then a powerful debate on Composite motion "The Crisis in Palestine", which was followed by an address from the International Speaker – Shaher Saed from the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions. 

Then controversial motions on Climate change and a "Just Transition" requirement amendment (carried) followed by "Reform of the TUC". 

As with the "Wages not Weapons" motion previously, there was a clash between predominantly public sector unions and private sector unions on the Just Transition amendment. 

While in the debate on the "Future of the TUC" seemed me more about the role of the TUC - should it act as the national UK trade union or its traditional role to facility a UK federation of independent unions? Again some great speeches, some not that comradely, on both sides of the argument. The motion was clearly lost.   

There was also a number of important motions on disability issues followed by 6 Emergency motions. 

Check out the programme for Congress business here https://www.tuc.org.uk/Congress2025/programme-business-congress-2025 and results here https://congress.tuc.org.uk/motion_type/all_motions/#sthash.RRkjFVlf.bgWohJM8.dpbs

Final business of Congress was the traditional vote of thanks and award of a Gold Badge (and Congress bell!) to the outgoing President, Mark Dickinson, who had been a marvellous Chair of Congress. Efficient, fair and supportive of first time speakers. By coincidence he reminded me of my former Branch Chair, Tony Power, in looks and temperament.  

Next years President is the General Secretary of the Prison Officers union, Steve Gillan. Who Mick Lynch, from the RMT cheekily suggested would deal with any dissent in the TUC General Council by locking the door until they agreed a line. 

After close of Congress there was a rush to the hotel to pick up luggage, then I walked to the station (no rain) and was able to get into the rear first class coach of the Thameslink train (no need for upgrade on this carriage only) with 2 other UNISON delegates from London for further debate (and gossip)

TUC Congress 2025: Day 3

 

Congress started with “Union wins - video” then carried on debating motions on organising and recruitment, in particular young members, employment rights, Fair funding for local authorities and social care. UNISON member Sonia Pickford received the TUC Women’s Gold Badge.

Motion 37 “Wages not weapons” was controversial and resulted in quite a bitter debate (very rare at Congress) but with some good speeches on both sides. The motion went to a card vote and was narrowly passed. UNISON voted in favour.

During the lunch break I attended a workshop on “How to harness digital to boost campaigns”. Run by the TUC social media team. It was really interesting and genuinely interactive with the audience. Will I be brave enough to do what they suggested with my social media?

There was further motions debated on backing Britain’s potteries, steel industry, shipping and the future of work.

Interestingly Government Minister, Bridget Phillipson gave an address and answered questions from delegates. Bridget has announced that she is standing in the Deputy Leadership of the Labour Party contest. It was reassuring to hear her say that the Government will ensure that the Tory-reform attempts to water down the Employment Rights Bills will be defeated “No ifs or buts”.

Congress watched a very powerful video on tackling sexual harassment in the workplace but also in the Union.

Motion 7 on “Supreme Court ruling - active support for trans and non-binary workers” was passed unanimously.

TUC Congress 2025: Day 2

The first full day of Congress (Monday) started for me with an early morning jog along Brighton beach. At 9.30am I took my seat with the UNISON delegation. 

There was a number of important debates on Fire service, Zane’s Law, Prison safety, wealth tax, tackling the far right, tackling sexism and the probation service.  There was a number of UNISON speakers.

The TUC General Secretary, Paul Nowak, gave a hard hitting address, attacking Reform MPs for voting against the Employment rights Bill and also for supporting US-style private health care. 

During lunch I attended a fringe on “How should trade unions respond to the rise of Reform UK” with Hope Not Hate and addressed by UNISON assistant General Secretary Liz Snape. The lesson for me from this fringe is that we have to listen, understand and win over members who support Reform and not just condemn them.

Ellie Reeves MP, a former trade union lawyer now Solicitor General, gave a well received address to Congress as the Labour Party Sororal delegate.

In the evening I went to my second fringe of the day. “Worker-Centric Housing - how do we build 1.5 million homes for where workers want to live? By YIMBY Alliance with panel speaker Maggi Ferncombe from UNISON. I expressed my usual concern on this topic that we will not be able to build all these homes without more public subsidy. 

You cannot insure your car after a car accident

 

Many thanks to our UNISON Northamptonshire Police and Fire branch for this advice. One of the hardest things I have to do as a Union rep is to refuse representation for those who only join when they have an existing problem. 

If you work for any form of public services - https://join.unison.org.uk/. 

If you don't -  check out who https://www.tuc.org.uk/joinunion

Are you a trade union rep concerned about the temperature in your workplace?

 

In the week 14 – 20 July,

@The_TUC

is inviting union health and safety reps to check their workplace temperatures. Help organise for safer, cooler workplaces!

Sign up now for our week of action, 14-20 July: https://tuc.org.uk/news/workplace-temperatures-week-action#:~:text=In%20the%20week%20of%2014,safer%2C%20cooler%20workplaces%20this%20summer!

Save the date - inspect your toilets 🚽

While being a trade union safety rep is definitely not a glamorous role, most people realise it is not a joke if you have to work outside a properly equipped office and/or suffer from many disabilities and don't have ready access to a toilet or are not allowed sufficient time to go to the loo! (thinking Sports Direct warehouses). 

At my work UNISON colleagues and myself have signed up to this campaign. We have contacted our employer health & safety team and other activists to try and carry out inspections during this TUC campaign.

I would encourage other union safety reps to do the same. 

Do you have good enough toilets and toilet breaks?

All workers need toilet breaks – it's a basic right. But many are denied this due to insufficient breaks and facilities.  To highlight the issue, we're inviting safety reps to carry out a workplace toilet inspection in the week of 17 –  23 March. We’ll be lifting the lid on what needs improving, and how unions are best placed to understand and advocate for safer workplaces.   Sign up below to take part, and we’ll send you all the info you need, including a checklist. If you carry out an inspection and tell us about it, you’ll receive a TUC Education credentials that recognises what you've done. Read more about TUC credentials. We are expecting hundreds of you to collectively take part in this inspections week of action - get involved!

SIGN UP

#HeartUnions week 10-16 February 2025

 

#HeartUnions week 10-16 February 2025 - Join in and let’s grow our movement

Can you run a recruitment stall in your local area? Run your event any time during #HeartUnions week, 10 - 16 February, or later if you need to. Sign up here to receive a pack of campaign materials, resources and guidance. There is a map of events on the Megaphone website here - make sure to add your event! The number one reason that people give for not joining a union is that they've never been asked. Can you be the person to ask? In #HeartUnions week people around the country will take to the streets to spread the word about why unions are vital for everyone at work, and they will encourage others to join a union. To grow our movement, we need more union members, more reps, more organisers, and more people to know about the power of being in a union. Can you run a recruitment stall or leafleting activity in your workplace or local area? We'll post you a bundle of resources and leaflets, and support you along the way. Sign up today Any queries, get in touch with campaigns@megaphone.org.uk (I am planning a stall during this week at work)

New UNIONREPS site

 

The TUC last year relaunched its UNISONREPS website which you can apply for a log in here TUC - UNIONREPS

It is an excellent resource where you can ask (and answer) questions of reps from other trade unions on various issues :-

• Equality
• Health & Safety
• Law & Representation
• Learning & Skills
• Organising & Recruiting
• Pensions

While it is not designed to replace your traditional sources of advice and support from your branch or region it is a really useful and informative resource for all trade union reps. 

"It’s time to “stop the witch-hunt” against flexible working, says coalition of unions and equality campaigners"

 Unions and equality campaigners have today (Monday) condemned escalating attacks on flexible working.

A joint statement released today – signed by organisations and campaigners including the TUC, Age UK, the Fawcett Society, Anna Whitehouse (founder of Flex Appeal) and Pregnant Then Screwed – warns of a “witch-hunt” against workers being able to work more flexibly.

The intervention comes as the government prepares to publish its Employment Rights Bill which is expected to enhance existing rights to flexible working.

Highlighting the ongoing briefing against flexible working, the organisations say:

“It’s time to stop the witch-hunt against flexible working. In recent weeks, we have seen relentless scaremongering about how new legislation on flexible working will harm UK businesses and productivity.    

“These warnings couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Pointing to the recruitment and retention problems facing employers the organisations say:

“There are 800,000 fewer people in the workforce than before the pandemic, and one of the biggest issues facing employers is recruiting and retaining skilled staff.    

“Look at our public services. In the midst of a staffing crisis, health, education and social care workers are leaving due to a lack of flexibility.    

“This is not an isolated example. Research published by the Charter Institute of Professional Development last year found that an estimated four million people have changed careers due to a lack of flexibility at work.  

“Flexible working can bring more people back into the labour market and keep them there.”  

Criticising the bad faith nature of the attacks on flexible working, the organisations say:

“Some have tried to claim flexible working is just about working from home.  

“But there are there are many different forms of flexible working.    

“For some people it means stable and predictable shift patterns so they can do the school run. For others it means compressed hours to allow for an extra day at home to care for loved ones.  And for some it’s a job share to allow time for study alongside work.    

“This is about developing patterns of work needed for a modern economy and a modern workforce.  

“Flexible working is good for workers, good for employers and good for growth.”  

Commenting on the joint statement, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Flexible working – and in particular working from home – is being misrepresented to attack the government’s wider plan to Make Work Pay. It’s time we called it out.  

“Improving access to flexible working will benefit workers and businesses, whether it's through increasing staff productivity or higher retention. And the same is true of improving workers’ rights across the piece.

“When people feel secure and respected at work, they have happier, healthier lives and perform better in their jobs.”

Jemima Olchawski, Fawcett Society Chief Executive, said: “We have to ask who benefits from parroting the fallacy that flexible working and flexible workers are bad for business – it's just nonsense.

“What really holds growth back is rigid, outdated work practices that exclude women, older workers, and those managing health conditions.

“Offering flexible working options increases the talent pool and enables more people to work.

“While that may threaten those who are happy to maintain the status quo, it can only be good for our economy. We need to see all jobs advertised as flexible by default.”

Victoria Benson, Chief Executive of Gingerbread, said: “Too many single parents are locked out of the workforce or stuck in jobs beneath their skill level because of old fashioned, inflexible working patterns.

“Employers who don’t offer flexible working are missing out on an untapped pool of talent and single parents are missing out on jobs.

“We need to see single parents supported to thrive at work – not just because it’s good for them and their children but because it's good for employers and our economy, too." 

Hat tip It’s time to “stop the witch-hunt” against flexible working, says coalition of unions and equality campaigners | TUC