{"id":22882,"date":"2020-07-24T12:12:38","date_gmt":"2020-07-24T11:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/?p=22882"},"modified":"2020-07-24T16:17:39","modified_gmt":"2020-07-24T15:17:39","slug":"heroes-and-zeroes-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/?p=22882","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 crisis. 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 hospitality members<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People working in the hospitality sector have been among the worst-hit amid the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown. Many have been made redundant or face redundancy in the weeks and months to come. Despite the bleak picture, Unite hospitality members aren&#8217;t going to give up without a fight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This week, they held two socially-distanced in London and Belfast, to press their case to central and devolved governments and demand specific measures to save their jobs. They have also called out hospitality employers, who Unite has argued are abusing the furlough scheme by taking money from the government but then sacking or planning to sack their workers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find out more in our <a href=\"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/save-our-jobs-call\/\">full story here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We&#8217;re still here <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HuddlestonNigel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@HuddlestonNigel<\/a> outside the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DCMS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@DCMS<\/a> calling on you to meet with our <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FairHospitality?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@FairHospitality<\/a> members about the impact of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#COVID19<\/a> on our sector and jobs.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SaveOurJobs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#SaveOurJobs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SaveOurSector?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#SaveOurSector<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/StopTheSackings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#StopTheSackings<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/MYrzXXK8BX\">pic.twitter.com\/MYrzXXK8BX<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/unitetheunion\/status\/1285542035873624064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 21, 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>Labour MP and BEIS select committee chair Darren Jones<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another hospitality hero this week is Labour MP Darren Jones, who serves as the chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) select committee, for raising the issue of tipping legislation in the Commons this week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unite has long campaigned on reform of tipping practices, so that waiters and others in the hospitality industry get to keep 100 per cent of their tips. Successive Tory governments have for the last four years promised to introduce legislation on tipping but have so far broken their promises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch Darren Jones raise the issue in the video below &#8211; and <a href=\"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/fix-broken-tipping-system-now\/\">read our full story here. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Time and time again the Government has promised to change the law to let hospitality staff keep their tips. I know the department has draft legislation ready to go. When will it get introduced to Parliament? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/MGJlW8kKoX\">pic.twitter.com\/MGJlW8kKoX<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Darren Jones MP (@darrenpjones) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/darrenpjones\/status\/1285581014023180293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 21, 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>Unite easyJet cabin crew<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another group of workers standing up for their jobs and the future of their vocation are Unite&#8217;s cabin crew members at easyJet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This week they&#8217;ve staged a series of socially distanced demonstrations at Southend, Stansted and Newcastle Airports after the airline announced it would be closing crew bases at each of the airports, putting more than a 1,000 jobs at risk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The demonstrations are part of Unite&#8217;s new Orange Outrage campaign. You can find out <a href=\"https:\/\/orangeoutrage.co.uk\/\">more about the campaign here. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">EasyJet cabin crew have been demonstrating at Southend Airport against the airline&#8217;s plans to shut bases at Southend, Stansted and Newcastle.<\/p>\n<p>The protest by members of the Unite union also involved ground handlers at Stobart Aviation.<\/p>\n<p>Unite says nearly 1,300 crew jobs could go. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/eWQefpqRtM\">pic.twitter.com\/eWQefpqRtM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d BBC Essex (@BBCEssex) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BBCEssex\/status\/1286264895944630273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 23, 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>The government &#8211; for threatening public sector pay &#8216;restraint&#8217;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This week\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s public sector pay announcement \u00e2\u20ac\u201c where less than a fifth of public sector workers were granted a pay rise \u00e2\u20ac\u201c was followed almost immediately by the government warning of continued austerity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While only a fraction of public sector workers were given pay rises of up to 3.1 per cent, including doctors, dentists, teachers, prison guards, armed forces staff and a few others, the announcement this week raised hopes that there may be more pay rises for a wider swathe of public sector workers in the months to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But those hopes were dashed after it was revealed that chancellor Rishi Sunak quietly sent a letter to the heads of government departments warning that future pay rises may be off the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The letter read, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bFurthermore, this financial year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s public-sector pay awards will be significantly more than the average in the private sector\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 therefore for reasons of fairness, we must exercise restraint in future public-sector pay rewards. Departments\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 pay modelling should reflect this fairness.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The letter also warned of \u00e2\u20ac\u0098tough choices\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 to be made on various budgets, prompting fears of a return to austerity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most NHS staff are part of an Agenda for Change pay deal &#8211; and so incredibly didn&#8217;t receive any pay rise this week despite all their sacrifices amid the pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Agenda for Change pay deal, struck in 2018, doesn&#8217;t expire until next year, but Unite is pressing the government to award these workers an early pay rise. The union is also calling for other public sector workers to be included in a significant pay rise, such as care and local authority workers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read our <a href=\"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/return-to-austerity\/\">full story here. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Government accused of hypocrisy after chancellor urges public sector pay restraint and warns of cuts to come.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WorthMore?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#WorthMore<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7jxYqHsqET\">https:\/\/t.co\/7jxYqHsqET<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/unitetheunion\/status\/1286247124720640000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 23, 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>Sexist bosses<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This week UniteLIVE has highlighted how sexism in the office doesn&#8217;t end when office workers are asked to work from home, as a majority of them are now amid the pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A new poll found that a third of women working from home amid the pandemic have been subject to sexist requests from their bosses, such as being asked to &#8216;dress sexier&#8217; for work video calls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unite has condemned this behaviour, which is unlawful, and urges women to join a union. You can read our <a href=\"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/women-face-workplace-sexism-at-home\/\">full story here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">&#8220;It may be that during the coronavirus lockdown, those who hold these repugnant and outdated views have been emboldened to express them more openly because they can hide behind a computer screen&#8221; Unite&#8217;s Siobhan Endean \u0111\u017a\u201d\u02dd<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/VzyokoiM0u\">https:\/\/t.co\/VzyokoiM0u<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/unitetheunion\/status\/1286292229137391616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 23, 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>Immingham ferry operator DFDS Seaways<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Far too many employers are taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis to attack workers&#8217; pay and terms and conditions. The latest example is Immingham ferry operator DFDS Seaways, which plans to cut 62 positions from its 600 strong Immingham workforce and reduce overtime rates and other benefits for hourly paid staff.  Unite has said this is wholly unnecessary given steadily increasing freight volumes since the lockdown\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s peak in April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DFDS, where Unite has around 300 members, wants to cut overtime rates from time and a half to basic and implement other measures that will negatively impact hours, shift patterns and pay for workers on hourly wages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unite regional officer Mike Wilkinson said, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bDFDS Seaways is using Covid-19 as an excuse to cut jobs and make brutal attacks on its Immingham workforce\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s terms and conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWhile many companies have rewarded their staff for working through the lockdown, DFDS at Immingham has chosen instead to punish its employees with redundancies and pay cuts. We consider this action by the company to be grossly unfair and opportunism of the worst kind.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read our <a href=\"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/opportunism-of-the-worst-kind-2\/\">full story here. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWhile many companies have rewarded their staff for working through the lockdown, DFDS at <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Immingham?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Immingham<\/a> has chosen instead to punish its employees with redundancies and pay cuts&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Read more here &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EqJb3MWsAK\">https:\/\/t.co\/EqJb3MWsAK<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/n4xDTHHGuP\">pic.twitter.com\/n4xDTHHGuP<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Unite &#8211; North East, Yorkshire and Humber (@UniteNEYH) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UniteNEYH\/status\/1285896122196787201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 22, 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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every Friday here on UniteLIVE, we bring you a new list of heroes and zeroes amid the coronavirus crisis. Here are this week&#8217;s latest. HEROES Unite hospitality members People working in the hospitality sector have been among the worst-hit amid the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown. Many have been made redundant or face redundancy in the [&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":[1295,361,302,1328,303],"wps_subtitle":"UniteLIVE highlights the latest heroes and zeroes amid coronavirus crisis","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22882"}],"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=22882"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22882\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22896,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22882\/revisions\/22896"}],"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=22882"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22882"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22882"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}