Unite comms blog archive
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04 April 2012
The tanker drivers’ dispute continues to remain in the headlines as the talks begin at Acas today, the main focus in the papers remains on the rise in petrol prices although there are still some reports of concerns over supplies with the government yet to show any contrition. And talking of travel a few of the papers also note that there may be trouble ahead with more long queues, this time the Telegraph talks of gridlock at airports as there are not enough staff to carry out security checks on passengers.
02 April 2012
The tanker drivers’ dispute continues to remain high on the agenda. Over the weekend Conservative commentator Charles Moore revealed that the Tories were telling their constituency associations that this is their “Thatcher moment” as they look to try and lay the blame at Labour. Unite hit back warning the government about playing politics with an industrial dispute, and the real impact of the petrol panic may have bigger consequences as a ComRes poll says 81 per cent of the public think the government caused the panic; and Cameron’s in the frame over being reckless after saying: “A bit of petrol panic may be no bad thing.”
29 March 2012
The fuel tanker dispute continues to dominate the headlines – its on seven front pages today - with prime minister David Cameron convening a meeting of Cobra to discuss the issue, but as reported in yesterday’s digest cabinet office minister Francis Maude was let of his leash and promptly put his foot in it after saying people should stock up on fuel and store jerry cans of petrol at home; sales of jerry cans rocketed by over 4,000 per cent as a result. However the FBU were soon on the case to highlight that this is not only dangerous, but also illegal; looks like the government is being very irresponsible in its advice to the general public. Cameron was also caught out about when he last ate a Cornish pasty in Leeds, the two shops at Leeds station are both closed, one over five years back and the other last because of Osborne’s pasty tax. Cash for access Cameron’s Con-Dem coalition is not having a good week.
28 March 2012
The tanker drivers’ dispute continues to hog the headlines with the government causing panic by pouring fuel on the fire and telling people that they should stock up; cabinet office minister Francis Maude this morning said people should stock up on jerry cans even though he said no action has been called and seven day’s notice is required while prime minister David Cameron says he will hold a special Cobra meeting on the dispute later today and urged both sides to get round the table. Acas has also offered to get both sides around the table and Unite tanker drivers are continuing to meet as they discuss the next steps in the dispute.
27 March 2012
The top story today – and a clean sweep featuring in all the papers and on three front pages- is that the Unite tanker drivers delivering fuel to petrol pumps across the UK have voted overwhelmingly for strike action in a dispute over safety and growing instability in the fuel industry. Members working for five major fuel distribution firms delivering fuel for household names including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, BP, Shell and Esso backed a call for strike action by an average of 69 per cent. Turnouts across the five companies averaged 77.7 per cent. Unite’s national industrial sector committee will meet over the next few days to consider the next steps.
26 March 2012
The top story on the political front is Cameron and the Cruddas cash-for-access scandal. Tory treasurer Peter Cruddas was filmed making claims about the cost of getting paid for access to the prime minister and chancellor and their advisers. The Tory funding scandal has opened up questions about which donors met Cameron and attended briefings by the policy unit? Access was available for donations of £250,000 a year and so far Dave’s ‘dodgy’ donors have yet to be revealed. Even Stephen Glover in the Mail asks why Cameron is such a terrible judge of character? The row opens up the debate regarding party funding with some of the right wing papers highlighting union funding and even David Miliband entering the row with a dig arguing funding should be an individual choice.
23 March 2012
The backlash over the budget continues in many of the papers today with Osborne’s ‘granny tax’ filling lots of column inches, but there’s also coverage of millions more paying the 40p rate and a good quote from shadow chancellor Ed Balls on the lack of a growth strategy and robbing the poor to pay the rich: “The chancellor is not Robin Hood and as for jobs he couldn’t give a Friar Tuck.” Osborne does get some backing (from the IFS) for his approach with some papers noting that so far pensioners have not been hit as hard by the cuts, but he is warned by many of the dangers of annoying a vocal group that goes out and votes. And it’s not just pensioners, the Sun’s front page says: Voters savage George and the paper also highlights the response from companies, the headline: Business fury at budget. The real question is whether the row will rumble on and impact the local and mayoral elections.
22 March 2012
Say no to tax avoidance for public service providers
22 March 2012
Today’s digest remains focused on the budget which dominates all the papers. Osborne won’t be too happy with the front pages as many attack his new ‘granny tax’ saying he has mugged ordinary people and pensioners, he did however get away with announcing the cut to the top rate of tax, and Labour leader Ed Miliband issued a stern challenge attacking an out of touch chancellor and his cabinet cronies who all stand to benefit from the top rate tax cut.
20 March 2012
The digest opens with the news that Lord Owen’s amendment fell in the Lords last night meaning the health and social care bill will now be debated and most likely passed by MPs today; it is the last chance to kill the bill and Unite is urging people to tweet Lib Dem MPs to show some backbone and demand the release of the risk register. Sadly it looks like the government will ignore the views of the vast majority, but in simple terms you ignore medical advice at your peril; expect the changes to prove toxic come the next election.
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