On 18 November 2021 Unite published online and disseminated to the media a statement concerning Ulster Carpets, which contained untrue allegations about the Managing Director of Ulster Carpets, Nick Coburn CBE.
Unite accept that these allegations have no basis in fact, and that the statement contained errors such that it should never have been published. Unite unreservedly withdraws the allegations, and apologises to Mr. Coburn.
Unite has also agreed to make a donation to a charity of Mr. Coburn’s choosing, and to the legal costs incurred by Mr. Coburn, in order to draw a line under this matter.
October 27th: A coalition of trade unions today launched the ‘Keep Water Public’ campaign, which calls on the Government to confirm a date for a constitutional referendum on the public ownership of water services. The campaign is supported by SIPTU, Fórsa, Unite, Connect and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
ICTU president and Fórsa general secretary, Kevin Callinan, said the campaign to name the date for a referendum represented a shared commitment by trade unions to ensure the future of public ownership of water services: “It’s time now to end any lingering uncertainty about the future of water services in Ireland. A referendum would give people the opportunity to have their say, in addition to providing us all with a unique opportunity to safeguard public ownership of water for future generations. In that sense, there should be no further hesitation, and we are urging the Government now to name the date. In doing so, it would be taking a welcome and positive step.”
John King, SIPTU Deputy General Secretary said: “Union members have been fighting for years to make sure that water services are delivered for the public good and not private profit. We now need the Government to live up to its commitments and name the date for the referendum.”
Unite Regional Officer Ed Thompson added: “At recent meetings, our members involved in the delivery of water services have mandated Unite to campaign with other unions for the Government to ‘Name the Date’. The demand for a referendum enshrining public ownership and management of our water in the Constitution is long-standing Unite policy. The Government now needs to follow through on its commitments and set a firm date for the referendum. This issue cannot be kicked down the road any further”.
Annette Donlon, SIPTU Local Authority Shop Steward said: “The public wants a guarantee that public water services are delivered for the public good and not for private profit. We are asking them to show their support by getting involved with the campaign and by signing the petition we are circulating to ‘Keep Water Public’.
Representatives of NIC-ICTU, Unite, CWU and GMB joined by workers urging large turnout at Belfast City Hall at noon on Saturday
A press conference held this morning (Thursday) heard demands for real action on the cost of living emergency, which is forcing women and children into housing need at a time when vital services are being cut. The press conference comes ahead of the ‘Women Demand Better’ protest being organised by Unite with the support of the ICTU and other unions this coming Saturday (29 October), assembling at noon outside Belfast City Hall. Speakers at the press conference included trade unionists as well as workers directly affected by overlapping crises facing women in Northern Ireland.
Chairing the press conference, Clare Moore, Equality and Social Affairs Officer with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said:
“I applaud Unite and its members for launching the Women Demand Better campaign. For too long, women have been at the sharp end of austerity measures and cuts to public services as well as being more likely to be in low-paid and insecure work. We are encouraging all trade union members to support the rally on 29thOctober at 12 noon at Belfast City Hall to Demand Better”.
Campaign demands supported accommodation for homeless women and action on the cost of living crisis
What: Launch of Women Demand Better campaign
When: 11am, Thursday 27th October 2022
Where: Unite the union offices, 26-34 Antrim Road, Belfast BT15 2AA
Representatives of Unite the union, GMB, CWU will speak at the launch the trade union-led Women Demand Better initiative at a press conference Thursday (27 October). The campaign will be formally launched by Clare Moore of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
The campaign is calling on the Minister for Communities Deirdre Hargey to deliver on her promise to reinstate services for homeless women after the closure of Regina Coeli hostel and take action on the cost of living crisis.
Unite Regional Coordinating Officer Susan Fitzgerald explained the background to the campaign
“Women Demand Better arose from the occupation of Regina Coeli House, Northern Ireland’s only supported accommodation for homeless women, in an effort by workers to prevent its closure. That occupation only ended after the workers received assurances from Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey that expanded and enhanced services for homeless women would open in May.
“It is now nearly November and nothing has been delivered.
Susan Fitzgerald, Unite Regional Coordinating Officer
Shock new survey of Northern Ireland women workers reveals:
Nearly 40% will cut back on food and heating;
Over half worried about keeping roof over their head;
Unite says findings must act as political wake-up call.
A survey of over 400 women workers in Northern Ireland carried out by trade union Unite during the third week of October has revealed that a majority are struggling to cope with the cost living crisis. The survey was conducted in advance of the ‘Women Demand Better’ protest on 29 October being organised, Belfast City Hall, 12pm 29th October.
Among the shock findings, the survey showed that:
A staggering 99% are ‘worried’ or ‘extremely worried’ about the cost of living crisis;
55% are worried about keeping a roof over their heads, in the face of insufficient public housing combined with rising rents and mortgage repayment;
Over the next six months, nearly 40% will have to cut back on essentials such as food and heat, while a further 15% say they will be seriously struggling to pay for essentials and 5% will have to borrow to pay for essentials;
72% say that cost of living pressures are negatively impacting their mental health while 55% say that cost of living pressures are negatively impacting their physical health.
Commenting on the findings, Unite Regional Coordinating Officer Susan Fitzgerald said:
“As Northern Ireland prepares to mark 25 years of devolved government, women workers have nothing to celebrate. Instead working-class families are approaching this winter with fear. Our survey findings show that – as in previous crises – it is women who are bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis, with many concerned about the prospect of a cold, hungry or homeless Christmas.
“It should also be remembered that, bad as these findings are, Unite surveyed women in work. A similar survey of women dependent on benefits would show up even more stark results, research has also highlighted the particular pressures on marginalised groups including the LGBTQI+ community, who are at particular risk of homelessness.
“These findings must act as a political wake-up call to politicians from across the spectrum here and in Westminster. And to make sure they get this message, we are calling on workers & young people of all genders to join our protest in Belfast on Saturday 29 October to say ‘Women Demand Better’”, Ms Fitzgerald concluded.
Unite the Union, Ireland Region 