{"id":22626,"date":"2020-07-10T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-10T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/?p=22626"},"modified":"2020-07-10T10:33:26","modified_gmt":"2020-07-10T09:33:26","slug":"heroes-and-zeroes-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/?p=22626","title":{"rendered":"Heroes and zeroes"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div>\n\n<p>Every Friday here on UniteLIVE, we bring you a new list of heroes and zeroes amid the coronavirus pandemic. Here are this week&#8217;s latest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>HEROES<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Unite&#8217;s Davy Kettyles and actor Adrian Dunbar, of Line of Duty fame<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unite Ireland senior regional organiser Davy Kettyles and his old friend, actor Adrian Dunbar, who plays Superintendent Hastings in the BBC series <em>Line of Duty<\/em> have teamed up in support of the NHS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Davy had written a song inspired by the coronavirus crisis; he then called his friend Adrian up to help promote a fundraiser for the NHS fundraising charity Asks for Masks, where people can raise funds by downloading Davy&#8217;s song, called <em>No tears at your grave<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> You can find out all about Davy and Adrian&#8217;s partnership and fundraiser in our <a href=\"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/in-the-line-of-duty\/\">full story here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Asks for Masks. Unite&#8217;s Davy Kettyles teams up with Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar to support NHS-fund raising charity with single being released tomorrow (5 July) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/asksformasks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@asksformasks<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AdrianDunbarUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@AdrianDunbarUK<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UniteunionNI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@UniteunionNI<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Via <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/UNITElive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#UNITElive<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ORmttTXir3\">https:\/\/t.co\/ORmttTXir3<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/MENGmq7ZOC\">pic.twitter.com\/MENGmq7ZOC<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/unitetheunion\/status\/1279417932574064640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 4, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Taxi drivers<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;ve highlighted taxi drivers before and this week we highlight them again to shed light on all the incredible work they&#8217;re doing despite not being supported by the government like they should be. From giving free rides to NHS workers, to helping with deliveries to those who are self-isolating and more, they&#8217;ve really stepped up for their communities throughout the crisis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stay tuned for a UniteLive feature where we catch up with Unite&#8217;s cab drivers and we also highlight the inspiring story of taxi firm owner Abid Hussain, who turned his business into a kebab shop to help ensure those drivers who worked for him still received an income. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"517\" src=\"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/taxi1-1024x517.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/taxi1-1024x517.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/taxi1-300x151.jpg 300w, https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/taxi1-768x388.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Marras of the Gala<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 136th Durham Miners&#8217; Gala as it usually runs may have been cancelled, but it will continue in spirit through a special online event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ahead of this event on July 11  Unite general secretary Len McCluskey has recorded a special message thanking key workers and urging us all to become Marras of the Gala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read McCluskey&#8217;s message <a href=\"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/a-reckoning-will-come\/\">here<\/a> or watch the video below. <\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Ahead of this year&#8217;s online <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DurhamGala?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@DurhamGala<\/a> &#8216;Second Saturday in July&#8217; our <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LenMcCluskey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@LenMcCluskey<\/a> has recorded a special message thanking key workers and urging us all to become Marras of the Gala. <\/p>\n<p>Watch and share \u0111\u017a\u201c\u02dd\u010f\u00b8\u0179 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Jc6cL4etj9\">https:\/\/t.co\/Jc6cL4etj9<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SummerOfSolidarity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#SummerOfSolidarity<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/HereForYou?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#HereForYou<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/DurhamMinersGala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#DurhamMinersGala<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4M2TfYYTOB\">pic.twitter.com\/4M2TfYYTOB<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/unitetheunion\/status\/1280174669316808705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 6, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Ryanair cabin crew<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unite welcomed securing a deal with Ryanair which will mean no job losses for its cabin crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The union has hailed the airline&#8217;s &#8216;constructive&#8217; approach as being in direct contrast to other employers in the aviation sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/unitetheunion.org\/news-events\/news\/2020\/may\/unite-reaction-to-ryanair-jobs-announcement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">In May Ryanair announced that it was planning to cut 3,000 jobs across its European operation as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the effect it has had on the aviation sector.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since that announcement Unite has been in talks with Ryanair to ensure that job losses and the potential closure of Ryanair\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bases in the UK were averted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now a deal has been struck which will entail temporary pay cuts for workers but the saving of their jobs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unite has hailed Ryanair cabin crew and their tenacity, as well as the airline for coming to the negotiating table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unite national officer for aviation Oliver Richardson said,&nbsp;\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThat these reductions are temporary and tiered to ensure the lowest paid are least affected was an important outcome of our negotiations and critical to our&nbsp;members voting to accept the proposals.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u015bUnite has always maintained that temporary problems require temporary solutions. Ryanair\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s management have shown that it is possible to reach an agreement on exactly that basis,&#8221; he added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u015bIt is always difficult for members to accept reductions in pay&nbsp;but in order to preserve jobs it is exactly what our cabin crew have agreed to do.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read our full story here.<\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThe agreement with <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Ryanair?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Ryanair<\/a> shows that the company has taken a more constructive and less damaging approach than many of its competitor airlines\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 &#8211; Unite AGS <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DianaHolland_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@DianaHolland_<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/jy8nBVRfSC\">https:\/\/t.co\/jy8nBVRfSC<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/unitetheunion\/status\/1281200679617527808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 9, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong><em>ZEROES<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Chancellor Rishi Sunak<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Topping our zeroes week this week is chancellor Rishi Sunak, who delivered a speech this week where he refused to extend the furlough scheme beyond October. Unite strongly believes this will further exacerbate the tsunami of job losses expected this summer and in the coming months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The union has also criticised the chancellor for failing to offer sector-specific support packages as governments in France and Germany have done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reacting to the chancellor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s statement, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bNo gimmicks, no spin \u00e2\u20ac\u201c people wanted serious action today to protect their jobs and incomes and on a scale up to the enormous test before our country.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u015bRedundancy notices are already flying around like confetti so&nbsp;today was the day we needed the Chancellor to put a stop to this with policies as bold and as necessary as the jobs retention scheme,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThis statement failed that test.&nbsp; With no modification to the JRS, that dreaded October cliff-edge for businesses and workers has now been set in stone.&nbsp; Our fear is that the summer jobs loss tsunami we have been pleading with the government to avoid will now surely only gather pace.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read our <a href=\"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/bleak-day-for-britains-workers\/\">full story on Sunak&#8217;s speech here<\/a>, as well as an insightful comment on Sunak&#8217;s announcements from Joy Johnson, of Unite&#8217;s political department, <a href=\"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/instead-of-a-budget-we-have-a-slogan\/\">here. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWith no modification to the JRS, the October cliff edge for businesses and workers has been set in stone. Our fear is the summer jobs loss tsunami we have been pleading with the government to avoid will now only gather pace\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LenMcCluskey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@LenMcCluskey<\/a> \u0111\u017a\u201d\u02dd<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ilrZpoW9r9\">https:\/\/t.co\/ilrZpoW9r9<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/unitetheunion\/status\/1280971418071642113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 8, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong><em>The government &#8211; for signalling a return of NHS car parking charges<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The government confirmed earlier this week that NHS car parking charges, waived in late March as the lockdown came into force, will resume as the coronavirus pandemic eases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although no timeline has been announced, and the decision itself has been called into question, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said that free parking will continue for only \u00e2\u20ac\u015bkey patient groups and NHS staff in certain circumstances\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 once the pandemic subsides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unite national officer for health Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe slammed the potential decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;\u00e2\u20ac\u015bScrapping car parking charges for NHS staff in England was the very least the government could do to show their appreciation for their hard work \u00e2\u20ac\u201c it is an unconscionable slap in the face for them to learn now that they will have the rug pulled underneath them as car parking charges are potentially set to be reintroduced,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bUnite is also very concerned to learn that some trusts are planning to increase their already extortionate car parking charges once the government gives them to the go-ahead to resume charging \u00e2\u20ac\u201c this is a callous, opportunistic move and must be stopped.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;\u00e2\u20ac\u015bUnite has long called for NHS car parking charges in England to be scrapped permanently and we reiterate this call today,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Jarrett-Thorpe continued. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bHealth minister Edward Argar justified the possible reintroduction of parking charges last week by saying \u00e2\u20ac\u0098support cannot continue indefinitely\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. If this is the case then how have both Wales and Scotland scrapped NHS car parking charges long before this pandemic? If it is possible for Wales and Scotland then it is possible for England \u00e2\u20ac\u201c all we need is the political will.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read our <a href=\"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/nhs-car-parking-charges-may-resume\/\">full story here. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">NHS car parking charges may resume.<br>Unite reiterates call for free NHS car parking in England to be made permanent as government signals a reintroduction of charges. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/rRaBMoMOdq\">https:\/\/t.co\/rRaBMoMOdq<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d UniteInHealth (@UniteinHealth) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UniteinHealth\/status\/1280828635000254464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 8, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Nissan<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unite has slammed the car manufacturer Nissan for the&nbsp;firm\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u0098disdain and disregard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 for workers impacted by plans to close its defined benefits pension scheme<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The union said there was growing anger at Nissan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u0098opportunistic\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 plans, which will affect around 1,800 staff, as well as its refusal to offer an industry standard lump sum usually provided when such schemes are closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unite said that without \u00e2\u20ac\u0098substantial movement\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 by the company on the scheme\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s closure, which would result in staff losing tens of thousands of pounds from their pensions, there could be industrial action at Nissan in Sunderland for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unite has now planned a socially distanced rally in Sunderland on Saturday (July 11) to send the message loud and clear. You can read our <a href=\"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/nissan-pensions-protest\/\">full story here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Sunderland pensions protest over Nissan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u0098disdain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 for workers.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our members are incredibly angry at the company\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s disgraceful behaviour. This dispute could result in the first ever industrial action being taken&#8230;&#8221; &#8211; Unite&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/stevebush1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@stevebush1<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/MENJfhGPgj\">https:\/\/t.co\/MENJfhGPgj<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cjSU7FeOfv\">pic.twitter.com\/cjSU7FeOfv<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/unitetheunion\/status\/1280883786180366337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 8, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Meat factory employers<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They&#8217;ve been on zeroes list before but again this week UniteLIVE highlights these exploitative employers, many of whom have refused to pay workers, whose work sites have become hot-spots for outbreaks, to self-isolate. This has only further spread the virus and caused unimaginable hardship among already very low-paid workers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There has recently been one exception to the rule in the food processing industry, thanks to Unite&#8217;s negotiations with management &#8211; at Rowan Foods in Wrexham, where the firm agreed to pay their workers company sick pay for anyone who must self-isolate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unite welcomed the news on Thursday (July 8), but there are still far too many food processing workers, many of them exploited migrants, who are being placed in an impossible situation &#8211; forced to choose between their health or their livelihoods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read our full story, where one meat factory worker &#8216;Alex&#8217;, speaks out about their dire situation, <a href=\"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/they-are-putting-people-at-risk\/\">here<\/a>. You can also listen to Unite&#8217;s Scott Walker  speak on the Jeremy Vine show on the issue in the clip below:<\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u0111\u017a\u017d\u00a7LISTEN: Unite&#8217;s Scott Walker on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BBCRadio2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@BBCRadio2<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/theJeremyVine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@theJeremyVine<\/a> today explaining the clear link between working conditions and low pay to the high levels of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#COVID19<\/a> cases in the meat processing industry. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/t9EcXvpVw5\">pic.twitter.com\/t9EcXvpVw5<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/unitetheunion\/status\/1279106883073323019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 3, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong><em>By Hajera Blagg<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every Friday here on UniteLIVE, we bring you a new list of heroes and zeroes amid the coronavirus pandemic. Here are this week&#8217;s latest. HEROES Unite&#8217;s Davy Kettyles and actor Adrian Dunbar, of Line of Duty fame Unite Ireland senior regional organiser Davy Kettyles and his old friend, actor Adrian Dunbar, who plays Superintendent Hastings [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20244,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1308,17],"tags":[548,1328,696,1309,33],"wps_subtitle":"UniteLIVE highlights the latest heroes and zeroes of the coronavirus crisis","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22626"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22626"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22626\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22645,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22626\/revisions\/22645"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22626"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22626"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}