Exactly whose heritage is being protected by the new UNESCO status of the Lake District?
Whose heritage?
#womensmarch: What to do next
If there was one thing that I'll remember more than the fervent, angry, joyous chanting at yesterday's march, it was something being said quietly. In between shouts and whoops, the women and men marching yesterday would turn to each other in almost wordless amazement. "It gives you hope, doesn't it?" "Ahhh... this is all so... … Continue reading #womensmarch: What to do next
Activists: What the hell we do in 2017
I don't know a single person who isn't glad to see the back of 2016. This is mainly because I deliberately avoid knowing a) racists b) fascists or c) people who don't recognise the inherent brilliance of David Bowie and Caroline Aherne. Brexit. Trump. Jo Cox being murdered by a Nazi. Syria. The inexplicable existence … Continue reading Activists: What the hell we do in 2017
All the times I’ve been a victim of theft
I just got talking with a friend about all the times someone has stolen something from me*. There's been lots of times. It's been happening more or less since the day I was born. This is all the stuff I used to own bits of and which my parents and grandparents paid into for me, … Continue reading All the times I’ve been a victim of theft
“You don’t have to do this thing we clearly want you to.” – Opting out of zero hours contracts, and “choices” at work.
How often have you felt totally comfortable asking for something at work - a pay rise, flexible working, a full year's maternity leave, different hours? I feel okay asking for most of those things, some of you reading this will too. I'm going to remove some stuff from this situation though. Firstly, lets get rid of the fact … Continue reading “You don’t have to do this thing we clearly want you to.” – Opting out of zero hours contracts, and “choices” at work.
The not-so-secret problems with trade unions
So a few people sent me this today. If you've not read it, it's an anonymous Guardian blog purporting to be written by a trade union employee who coasts at work, where his colleagues are also-coasting, sexist dinosaurs and the organisation is "crumbling", with no collaboration, no diversity and seemingly no way of stopping cantankerous old men milking … Continue reading The not-so-secret problems with trade unions
The Sports Direct shambles shows how workers can never rely on the law alone.
Employment rights in the UK are, relatively at least, fairly good. They're not excellent, but they're good. We have laws against maternity discrimination. We have Health and Safety laws to protect pregnant women from suffering at work. There's legislation preventing zero-hours workers from being prevented from seeking work elsewhere, from being harassed at work, and … Continue reading The Sports Direct shambles shows how workers can never rely on the law alone.
