Month: July 2015

History

Prelude to the General Strike – the Wool & Worsted Strike 90 Years On

Next year marks 90 years since the General Strike, a pivotal moment in the history of the British trade union movement. But the year running up to the strike, not only saw the miners nearly out on strike, only averted by a nine-month subsidy to the mines from the government, buying time to prepare for the strike, but also strikes amongst sailors and across the … Continue reading Prelude to the General Strike – the Wool & Worsted Strike 90 Years On

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Criminal Justice System, Trade Unions in Leeds, UNISON

Unison Members Walk Out Over 0% Pay Offer

On Tuesday 14th July Unison members in the probation service took strike two hours action over pay. There has been a 0% pay increase for the past five years and when the pay freeze ends it will leave members with a 30% pay cuts in real terms. This comes on top of sections of the probation services being privatised which has led to workers fearing … Continue reading Unison Members Walk Out Over 0% Pay Offer

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GMB, History

‘The Battle of Leeds’ – The Victory of the Leeds Gas Workers 125 years ago

The new unionism is a pivotal period in the history of trade unionism in Britain. A surge of semi-skilled and unskilled workers rose up demanding better pay, shorter working hours and improved working conditions. Initially starting in the East End of London with the matchwomen, gas workers & dockers it spread into a movement across the country which threw up the forerunners of todays GMB … Continue reading ‘The Battle of Leeds’ – The Victory of the Leeds Gas Workers 125 years ago

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Anti-Cuts, Education, UCU

Rallying Against Cuts to Further Education

Around 150 staff and students joined a rally against cuts to Further Education colleges organised by UCU in Leeds today. Iain Dalton, Leeds Socialist Party Organised to co-incide with a strikes at Bradford & Barnsley colleges, as well as a number of other FE college strikes across the country, the turnout was predominantly UCU – although speakers from Unite and the Yorks & Humber TUC … Continue reading Rallying Against Cuts to Further Education

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