Fuel poverty awareness day: Stormont must restore pensioners’ warmth, dignity and fairness 

Posted on November 26, 2024 by Unite the union NI

November 27 is fuel poverty awareness day. The Unite retired members branch in Belfast is marking the day by sounding the alarm on the growing fuel poverty crisis facing pensioners across Northern Ireland.

The winter fuel payment is a vital lifeline for pensioners in the colder months. The government’s recent decision to means-test the payment will remove a vital safety net at a time when pensioners at risk of fuel poverty need protection.

Joint branch secretary, Mary Jo McReynolds said: “With some of the highest energy costs in Europe, harsh winters, and poorly insulated housing, many older citizens are being forced to choose between heating their homes and meeting other essential needs. Unite is calling for the immediate distribution of the promised £17 million by Stormont as a first step in restoring winter fuel payments to all pensioners.

“Universal access to the winter fuel payment treats pensioners with dignity and fairness. We strongly oppose means testing. It only creates administrative hurdles, excludes vulnerable individuals and undermines equity.”

Unite is calling on the NI Executive to allocate a further £27 million to fully restore universal winter fuel payments. It is also calling for efforts to promote uptake of pension credit among the 26,000 eligible who are currently missing out, the introduction of a comprehensive energy efficiency programme and publication of an updated and improved fuel poverty strategy for Northern Ireland.

Unite retired member Declan Lagan said: “The combination of rising energy costs, inadequate housing and low incomes places pensioners at significant risk. Cold homes are not just uncomfortable—they are dangerous, with serious health consequences for older people. On this fuel poverty awareness day, we urge communities minister Gordon Lyons and the Northern Ireland executive to take decisive action. Protect universal winter fuel payments, address the scandal of unclaimed benefits and invest in long-term solutions to tackle fuel poverty at its roots.”

Posted in Northern Ireland news, Press Releases, Public Services | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Keir Starmer must extend his ambitious vision to include Spirit Aerosystems workforce

Posted on November 24, 2024 by Unite the union NI

Government has a vital role to play to secure transfer of all Spirit Aerosystems sites together and sustaining Northern Ireland aerospace

Unite the union which represents the majority of the 3,600 Spirit Aerospace workers has called on prime minister Keir Starmer and ensure the retention of the company’s skilled workforce.

Last week, the Prime Minister visited the Airbus factory in Broughton, Wales where he announced a £49 million investment. At the event, he hailed the UK aerospace industry as ‘world-class’ and committed his government to accelerate our investment to “unlock the tech of the future and make a crucial step forward… to deliver growth and opportunity across our country”.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Unite welcomes the government’s ambition for aerospace but this must translate into practical action such as safeguarding jobs at Spirit in Northern Ireland.

“It is unacceptable that this uncertainty is still hanging over one of Northern Ireland’s most vital industries. The government must intervene now to secure a transfer of all sites and all jobs to a single entity – this is by far the best way to safeguard jobs and skills.”

Continue reading →
Posted in Manufacturing, Northern Ireland news, Press Releases | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Buy out of Harland & Wolff needs to safeguard workforce

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Unite the union NI

Those involved in the behind closed doors negotiations need to understand that there can be no going forwards without protections for workers’ jobs and continuity of employment

Unite, the largest trade union in Britain and Ireland, has highlighted that workers need that a transfer of Harland & Wolff shipyards to a new employer must assure jobs, production and continuity of employment.

Talks involving Navantia continue behind closed doors over a proposed takeover of Harland & Wolff. Workers have been kept in the dark and uncertainly hangs over the future of jobs and continuity of employment.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Behind closed doors talks over the future of Harland and Wolff have left workers in the dark fearing for their livelihoods. That is not acceptable.

“Navantia and all those involved in the negotiations need to understand that not only does this vital shipyard need to be maintained but continuity of employment guaranteed for the workforce.”

In recent months, Unite has conducted intensive engagement with a range of political and commercial representatives with the aim of securing a successful transfer for all four of Harland and Wolff’s shipyards (Belfast, Appledore, Methil and Anish). In recent days, the union met with secretary of state for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn.

Unite regional officer George Brash said: “The shipyard is not just an iconic employer but sustains a deep and vital skills base. Everyone involved in the negotiations must understand that there can be no going forwards here unless workers’ jobs and continuity of employment are protected.”

Posted in Manufacturing, Northern Ireland news, Press Releases | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Conference on educational disadvantage in inner city communities hosted by Grassroots community organisation

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Unite the union NI

Youth social inclusion conference hosted by Phoenix education centre and sponsored by Unite

What: Reimagining Inclusive Support Education (RISE) conference

When: 9.30am Thursday 28th November 2024

Where: Stormont Hotel ballroom, 587 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3LP

Belfast-based Phoenix education centre is to host the ‘Reimagining Inclusive Supportive Education’ (RISE) conference with a focus on educational disadvantage. Phoenix education is a grassroots, community-led outreach and education provider working with alienated youth in educationally disadvantaged and deprived working-class communities in the east and south of the city.

Speakers will include Susan Fitzgerald, Unite regional secretary; professor Erik Cownie, Ulster University; Geraldine McGahey, chief commissioner, Equality Commission; and Emma Shaw, Phoenix Education. The highlight of the conference will be a panel of young people from the inner-city area. The conference has been co-sponsored by Unite the union.

Phoenix education coordinator Emma Shaw said, “Inner city communities in Belfast suffer the highest levels of educational disadvantage in Northern Ireland. Our young people are falling through the cracks because of an academically selective educational system which is deeply unfair to working-class children. The result is social exclusion and a missed opportunity for our economy.

“Community-based initiatives like Phoenix education are trying to reach out and offer a positive pathway for socially excluded young people but much more is needed. The RISE conference attempts to raise this issue onto the political agenda at Stormont.”

Jeff Robinson chair of the Irish executive committee of Unite said: “Educational disadvantage is a class issue. We cannot simply stand by and watch as another generation of working-class people is failed and left behind. Engaging and upskilling young people from inner city areas can not only ensure cohesion and improve community relations but can help secure industrial growth and economic development.”

Posted in Northern Ireland news, Press Releases | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

EU Directive: Ireland denied a pay rise through bargaining inaction

Posted on November 15, 2024 by unitetheunion

Unite issues policy toolkit demanding ‘Our Seat at the Table’

Union calls on all parties to commit to full implementation of EU “collective bargaining” directive

Unite, which organises workers throughout the economy, today (Friday) issued a new policy document outlining the union’s demands for legislation providing for union recognition, a statutory right to collective bargaining and measures to combat union-busting. The document, Our Seat at the Table, is available for download.

The union said that the measures are required to fully implement the EU directive on Adequate Minimum Wages, due to be transposed into Irish law by today (15 November).  The directive sets a collective bargaining target of 80 per cent, while it is estimated that collective bargaining coverage in Ireland is just 34 per cent.

The EU directive highlights the role played by collective bargaining in raising wages and combating low pay. One in five Irish workers are officially classified as low paid.

Continue reading →
Posted in Press Releases, Republic of Ireland news | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment