The Midlands TUC today (Saturday) issued a statement condemning the English Defence League for holding a rally in the centre of Nottingham.
Cheryl Pidgeon, Regional Secretary of the Midlands TUC said, “We know that this group includes football hooligans and racist thugs who are intent on causing trouble. Their claim to be protesting against radical Islam has been shown to be a fraud, as their behaviour in other cities has shown, where they quickly descend into exposing their hate for all Muslims. They have chosen to come to Nottingham on the day that a local football derby match takes place, with Leicester City visiting Forest, and on the day the Mercian Regiment marches through the city. The timing is designed to cause maximum disruption to the people of Nottingham and will place severe demands on police resources today. The Midlands TUC rejects the EDL message of hate, and would urge the people of Nottingham to do the same leaving the EDL in no doubt that their shameful politics is not welcome in this fine city.”
Midlands TUC Media This blog contains material from the Midlands TUC. Our media releases will appear on this site as well as linking to the Midlands TUC website which hosts our enewsletters and much more.
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Government strategy to address violence against women is vital, says TUC
Welcoming the news that Alan Johnson will launch a Government strategy to address violence against women and girls today (Wednesday), on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said:
“As a member of the Elimination of Violence Against Women coalition, we welcome the news the Government will be doing more to address violence against women and girls.
”All areas of Government have a part to play in preventing violence against women and supporting those affected. A cross-governmental strategy recognises the far-reaching and devastating effects of gender-based violence within our communities. Long-term, secure funding to support joined up services for vulnerable women and girls will be crucial in making this strategy effective.
“Trade unionists across the world are committed to tackling violence against women in the home or at work.
“Many union reps see the effects of violence and harassment against women in the workplace, which can also become a refuge for women that suffer abuse at home. Unions must also continue to support abused women and play a key role in tackling violence against them.”
“As a member of the Elimination of Violence Against Women coalition, we welcome the news the Government will be doing more to address violence against women and girls.
”All areas of Government have a part to play in preventing violence against women and supporting those affected. A cross-governmental strategy recognises the far-reaching and devastating effects of gender-based violence within our communities. Long-term, secure funding to support joined up services for vulnerable women and girls will be crucial in making this strategy effective.
“Trade unionists across the world are committed to tackling violence against women in the home or at work.
“Many union reps see the effects of violence and harassment against women in the workplace, which can also become a refuge for women that suffer abuse at home. Unions must also continue to support abused women and play a key role in tackling violence against them.”
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Skills White Paper puts apprenticeships at the heart of education
Commenting on the Skills White Paper, published today (Wednesday), TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said:
“By providing extra funding for advanced apprenticeships and helping trainees to go on to university, the Government is putting apprenticeships at the heart of our education system. Modern apprenticeships have come a long way since going into long-term decline in the 1980s and 1990s.
“The Government’s new target of getting 75 per cent of people under 30 into university or advanced vocational education rightly recognises that both routes matter equally if the UK is to have more highly skilled workers. Raising the status of advanced vocational education will also improve social mobility.
“The right to request time off for training and plans for more Government programmes based on match funding from employers will require a genuine commitment from businesses to invest in staff training.
“The Government must therefore tackle the one in three employers who still provide no staff training if these proposals are to work.
“The White Paper rightly pinpoints the crucial role of union learning representatives in helping employees to engage in training at all levels.”
“By providing extra funding for advanced apprenticeships and helping trainees to go on to university, the Government is putting apprenticeships at the heart of our education system. Modern apprenticeships have come a long way since going into long-term decline in the 1980s and 1990s.
“The Government’s new target of getting 75 per cent of people under 30 into university or advanced vocational education rightly recognises that both routes matter equally if the UK is to have more highly skilled workers. Raising the status of advanced vocational education will also improve social mobility.
“The right to request time off for training and plans for more Government programmes based on match funding from employers will require a genuine commitment from businesses to invest in staff training.
“The Government must therefore tackle the one in three employers who still provide no staff training if these proposals are to work.
“The White Paper rightly pinpoints the crucial role of union learning representatives in helping employees to engage in training at all levels.”
Monday, 26 October 2009
Brendan Barber statement on the Royal Mail dispute
“We have had useful discussions today and the talks are being adjourned to allow further work to be done overnight on some of the issues involved.
“We will be reconvening again in the morning here at Congress House to continue the talks.
“In the meantime neither the CWU nor the Royal Mail will be making any further comment.”
Friday, 23 October 2009
Economy is still extremely fragile, says Midlands TUC
Commenting on growth figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) today (Friday) TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “This is now the longest recession in modern economic history. Even the co-ordinated world-wide stimulus has not been able to halt the damage done by the financial crash.
“Even if we had achieved a technical recovery today, it would not feel like a recovery to the thousands losing their jobs or afraid that they will join the dole queue in the months ahead when unemployment will continue rising. It takes more than a statistical read out and the return of big bank bonuses for a real recovery.
“These worse than expected figures should head off the growing signs of complacency. The economy is still extremely fragile. Any halt in economic stimulus – or even worse, cuts in spending in a premature effort to close the deficit – could easily send us into another downwards spiral.
“Politicians cannot now say that the recession is over so we can go back to treating the unemployed as work-shy scroungers rather than victims of the financial crash. Fighting unemployment – particularly among the young – must be national priority number one.”
“Even if we had achieved a technical recovery today, it would not feel like a recovery to the thousands losing their jobs or afraid that they will join the dole queue in the months ahead when unemployment will continue rising. It takes more than a statistical read out and the return of big bank bonuses for a real recovery.
“These worse than expected figures should head off the growing signs of complacency. The economy is still extremely fragile. Any halt in economic stimulus – or even worse, cuts in spending in a premature effort to close the deficit – could easily send us into another downwards spiral.
“Politicians cannot now say that the recession is over so we can go back to treating the unemployed as work-shy scroungers rather than victims of the financial crash. Fighting unemployment – particularly among the young – must be national priority number one.”
TUC General Council statement on Royal Mail
The TUC General Council today (Wednesday) affirmed its full support for the CWU and its members in their current dispute with Royal Mail.
The General Council expressed its strong concern at the Royal Mail’s recent decision to hire 30,000 temporary workers in the run up to Christmas, in an apparent move to undermine the union’s plans to take legitimate industrial action.The CWU has reiterated its determination to reach a fair settlement. The General Council is calling on Royal Mail to match this commitment, and to continue talks with the CWU, in an effort to reach an agreement on genuine modernisation which will underpin a successful and sustainable future for Royal Mail.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
West midlands worst hit as one in three unemployed young people out of work for more than six months
TUC analysis of official Government statistics released today (Tuesday) shows that more than one in three (39 per cent) unemployed young people aged 16-24 have now been out of work for more than six months. The last time so many young people were long-term unemployed was 15 years ago, in October 1994.
There are now 366,000 young people who have been unemployed for more than six months. With the latest jobless figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) out tomorrow (Wednesday), the TUC expects to see yet another sharp increase in youth unemployment.
Young people in the West Midlands have been hardest hit by the recession, with youth unemployment there increasing more than twice as fast as the UK average. The region has the highest youth unemployment rate at 26.7 per cent, followed by the North East (22.2 per cent) and Yorkshire and the Humber (21.2 per cent).
The TUC is warning that a failure to act to stem the flow of rising youth unemployment could leave a generation of young people on the scrap heap, as happened in the 1980s. The Government’s Future Jobs Fund for any young person who has been out of work for at least ten months is a good start, says the TUC. Funds for more than 50,000 jobs have already been awarded, with a large number of places created in areas of the UK currently experiencing high unemployment. Any attempt to cut this scheme or end the economic stimulus package would be a disaster for thousands of unemployed young people, the TUC believes.
However the Future Jobs Fund only has 100,000 places for young people. The TUC is concerned that the scheme will be oversubscribed meaning not all long-term unemployed youngsters will be able to take up a place. The TUC is also concerned there is not enough genuine support in place to help those who have only recently become unemployed, and that young people are at risk of exploitation through unpaid internships and work experience.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Youth unemployment was a concern for the TUC before the recession started, but over the last year the numbers unable to find work have rocketed. It’s clear that young people are among those bearing the brunt of the recession and rising unemployment. One in five of the UK’s young population is currently out of work, and more than 360,000 young people have already spent more than six months on the dole."
Ms Pidgeon continued, “This is a crisis for our young people. Prolonged periods of joblessness permanently damage careers and without continued Government investment we risk losing this generation, who are vital to our future labour market performance. The Future Jobs Fund is providing new jobs at decent wages for young people, and cutting it would be a disaster. But we also want to see real support for those who have only just lost their jobs. While internships can be a valuable means of providing young people with work experience, great care needs to be taken to ensure that they are not used to exploit young people or as a substitute for real jobs. It is important that interns receive their legal rights and are paid at least the minimum wage.”
There are now 366,000 young people who have been unemployed for more than six months. With the latest jobless figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) out tomorrow (Wednesday), the TUC expects to see yet another sharp increase in youth unemployment.
Young people in the West Midlands have been hardest hit by the recession, with youth unemployment there increasing more than twice as fast as the UK average. The region has the highest youth unemployment rate at 26.7 per cent, followed by the North East (22.2 per cent) and Yorkshire and the Humber (21.2 per cent).
The TUC is warning that a failure to act to stem the flow of rising youth unemployment could leave a generation of young people on the scrap heap, as happened in the 1980s. The Government’s Future Jobs Fund for any young person who has been out of work for at least ten months is a good start, says the TUC. Funds for more than 50,000 jobs have already been awarded, with a large number of places created in areas of the UK currently experiencing high unemployment. Any attempt to cut this scheme or end the economic stimulus package would be a disaster for thousands of unemployed young people, the TUC believes.
However the Future Jobs Fund only has 100,000 places for young people. The TUC is concerned that the scheme will be oversubscribed meaning not all long-term unemployed youngsters will be able to take up a place. The TUC is also concerned there is not enough genuine support in place to help those who have only recently become unemployed, and that young people are at risk of exploitation through unpaid internships and work experience.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Youth unemployment was a concern for the TUC before the recession started, but over the last year the numbers unable to find work have rocketed. It’s clear that young people are among those bearing the brunt of the recession and rising unemployment. One in five of the UK’s young population is currently out of work, and more than 360,000 young people have already spent more than six months on the dole."
Ms Pidgeon continued, “This is a crisis for our young people. Prolonged periods of joblessness permanently damage careers and without continued Government investment we risk losing this generation, who are vital to our future labour market performance. The Future Jobs Fund is providing new jobs at decent wages for young people, and cutting it would be a disaster. But we also want to see real support for those who have only just lost their jobs. While internships can be a valuable means of providing young people with work experience, great care needs to be taken to ensure that they are not used to exploit young people or as a substitute for real jobs. It is important that interns receive their legal rights and are paid at least the minimum wage.”
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