Video: Job cuts
A poem in the Welsh poetic form of Clogyrnach (which is remarkably similar to a limerick), written in support of Unite the Union’s strike ballot of steel workers employed by Tata in South Wales, whose jobs are under threat.
Issues and campaigns: Work
Working nine-to-five, round-the-clock shifts, only when the boss wants you or not working at all …
Video: Steel workers’ jobs are on the line
A poem in the Welsh poetic form of Cyhydedd Fer, written in support of Unite the Union’s strike ballot of steel workers employed by Tata in South Wales, whose jobs are under threat.
Work and menopause
Menopause at work hit the headlines on 22 February as the Equality and Human Rights Commission issued new guidance on the issue. However, the guidance only affirmed what the law has been for the last fourteen years, and the fact that news coverage trumpeted it as a breakthrough can only mean that employers have not been following the law.
Is a neurodivergent worker considered disabled under UK law?
The law judges this on a case-by-case basis. The 2010 Equality Act states that an individual is disabled under the law if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial, long-term, adverse effect on their ability to … Read more
End of the Line
Walk down locked and empty streets alone, arrive for start of shift, it’s bear-the-brunt time to serve some others’ families not your own Going from the home front to the frontline Frozen pay, now tiny, ice-cold ‘offers’, red-bordered bills alert … Read more
Online workshop: Transforming Unions to Represent the Neurodivergent workforce
Janine will be a key note speaker and workshop leader. Organised by The Centre for Employment, Work and the Professions (CREWS) at Heriot-Watt. Details and registration here. What is the workshop about? The workshop aims to address the challenges faced by UK … Read more
CWU Autism in the Workplace Training
Online course.
RMT training: Neurodiversity in the Workplace
This three-day residential course takes place at the Bob Crow National Education Centre and is open to all RMT members. If you wish to attend, please contact your branch secretary.
Summertime
after Gershwin’s song from Porgy and Bess — Summertime and the cost of livin’ ain’t easy Bills are jumpin’ and prices are high Oh, the bosses are rich and the workers are strugglin’ But hush, little baby don’t you cry … Read more
Autism in the Workplace training: Leeds NEU
Teaching educators about autism as a trade union issue! Part of a training day organised by Leeds branch of the National Education Union.
Clerihew: Andrew Haines
Andrew Haines carefully explains That his £593,000 pay is not a perk – He really is worth twenty of the people who do the actual work — *Chief Executive Officer of Network Rail
Clerihew: Jeremy Westlake
Jeremy Westlake has the second best take He’s in charge of the cash and makes sure he gets a big stash
Why You Don’t Deserve a Pay Rise
A poem about this Nicky from Network Rail says that to get work and not fail to make yourself a mint, not be skint – come on, take the hint – You should have worked harder at school, mastered … Read more
Poetry & Opposition
Pompous & Opulent Prosperous & Ostentatious Profiteering & On-the-take Parsimonious & Obstinate Penny-pinching & ‘Orrible Private & Obscene Perfidious & Odious Poisonous & Objectionable Punishing & Oppressive Petition & Organise Protest & Outrage Picket & Occupy Public & Ownership.
TUC Disabled Workers Condemn P&O Sackings
The TUC’s Disabled Members’ Committee has made this statement: Accessible public transport is essential for disabled people to participate in society on an equal and independent basis. To be genuinely accessible, public transport must be adequately staffed by workers with … Read more
Accessibility As Standard Not ‘As Required’
Janine’s opening remarks at the TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference panel discussion on Accessibility As Standard Not ‘As Required’: building accessible workplaces for all, on Monday 21 March 2022. Which is better? A. A wheelchair user arrives at their new workplace, … Read more
Accessibility As Standard, Not ‘As Required’
Janine speaks in an online panel event which is part of TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference but open to all. Register here. Speakers: Janine Booth, Disabled Workers Committee Member from RMT and RMT Disabled Members Advisory Committee Secretary Angela Montgomery, Unite … Read more
Women and Shiftwork
Janine’s contribution to the debate on shiftwork at TUC Women’s Conference 2022. Read the text here.
Women Working Shifts
At this year’s TUC Women’s Conference, one of the motions we debated was about working shifts, particularly women’s safety on late shifts. This was my contribution to the debate. You can watch the video of this speech here. I’m Janine … Read more
RMT Mental Health training
This course will now take place online. A week-long course for RMT reps and members about mental health in the workplace at the union’s National Education Centre in Doncaster. Register via the union’s website or your branch secretary.