Tony Hyland MBE’s Post

This evening we'll be meeting to discuss the prospects for devolution in #Yorkshire in #York At the moment there is another wave of encouragement from central government and Labour politicians about the prospects for English devolution and the wider constitutional reform. There is also much talk of #communitypower and strengthening the rights of communities. All of this is welcome - but I'm old enough to have heard much of this before. Is there a serious desire for a meaningful shift in power? If so then surely we need to seriously consider all the different layers of the devolution cake: 1. Will the centre really give up power when its plan for economic growth seems to depend on taking more central control? 2. Will meaningful regional power be considered and if so how is that reconciled with the need for power shifts to the local and the hyper-local? 3. Can any of this be done in the normal spirit of British pragmatism - ie. incremental, incoherent and subject to the needs of the most powerful (almost all of whom priorities London's needs over everything else). There are growing calls for change. I think these kinds of events are important opportunities to articulate the necessary rationality and logic of those changes. #devolution Citizen Network Centre for Welfare Reform https://lnkd.in/eqTySiuf

**NTEU Victoria election 2024** As part of the Victorian Division’s current successful leadership team, I stand for an inclusive NTEU that draws strength from what unites us in solidarity. My focus is on what matters most to NTEU members: better conditions, fair pay, and more workplace power to achieve these outcomes. I have consistently promote the interests of all members, across all our branches, and will continue to do this if re-elected. My achievements since becoming Assistant Secretary in 2022 Membership growth: Our team has achieved the highest membership growth in the country. Bargaining wins: New Enterprise Agreements (EAs) at 7 universities, with dramatically improved working conditions and above-sector average pay outcomes. Collective action: The biggest statewide strike action in 10 years, with over 1000 members taking action for secure jobs, better pay and safe workloads. Mental health advocacy: Fighting for better WorkCover compensation and mental health protections. Women's rights: I revived the NTEU Women’s Action Committee and helped organise the successful 2024 NTEU Women's Conference. Read more about my work at www.ruthjelleyNTEU.com

Check out my new guest blog post in the Care Talk series! A quick read on the role of unions in men's unpaid care work: https://lnkd.in/gJact-aW

Vibrant local unions and progressive social movements don’t just happen. They are planned for and worked on by people like you - members who care about our union’s future; members who care about what kind of future we want for all working families. Member participation is one of the most important keys to building a successful organization. Every UAW member in good standing has the right to be involved with their union. Whether you’re an elected leader or a brand-new member, we encourage you to get involved. One way to make a difference in our union is through standing committees. A standing committee is a group of UAW members who meet regularly to work on a specific issue that effects our members and our communities. Article 44 of the UAW Constitution requires each local union to establish eleven local union committees. These committees have defined functions. The required committees are: Citizenship and Legislative (CAP), Civil and Human Rights, Community Services, Consumer Affairs, Conservation and Recreation, Constitution and Bylaws, Education, Organizing, Union Label, Veteran, and Women’s. Through the years, the #UAW has been able to win some of the highest quality benefits and improvements to the health and safety of members on and off the job. It’s important to remember that these victories were only possible because UAW members were willing to stand together in solidarity with one another until employers were forced to treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve. No benefit that the UAW has ever won was given to us by the boss out of the goodness of their heart. Only through building worker power and collective action to take on employers were any of these benefits possible. ➡️ Read more about how to get involved in the #UAW New Member Magazine: https://ow.ly/7xwz50QAM2K #StandUpUAW #Solidarity

Hugely disappointing. Despite all the evidence showing that involving those with lived experience in policy formation makes those policies much more effective. It’s something I would expect from the party they have just replaced. Is the purpose of these policies to make work more accessible? Or is the purpose to force people back into work at all costs? Very different objectives which require very different approaches. Judge for yourself.

📢 Employment reform white paper Following an independent review looking at how to help businesses improve support and employment of people with disabilities or other health conditions, the Government is publishing a white paper today setting out “Britain’s biggest employment reforms in a generation to get Britain working again”. Read more now about the paper’s headline aims 👉 https://buff.ly/4i9Pl1V

Keir Starmer: Navigating Labour’s New Era in a Fragmented Parliament In the wake of the 2024 UK general election, Keir Starmer's leadership faces unprecedented challenges. With Labour winning 314 seats but falling short of an outright majority, the party must navigate a deeply divided and fragmented Parliament. The dynamics within the new political landscape will test Starmer’s leadership and strategic acumen, shaping the future of the Labour Party and its policies. The Labour Party emerged with 314 seats, 12 short of a majority, requiring strategic alliances to form a government. This outcome places Labour in a delicate position, needing to balance collaboration with maintaining its core principles. The 2024 election highlighted the complexities of contemporary UK politics, reflecting regional divides and evolving voter priorities. Starmer’s leadership, characterized by a pragmatic and centrist approach, now faces scrutiny within the party. The diverse and sometimes conflicting views among Labour MPs and grassroots members present a challenge in maintaining unity. This internal dynamic will be crucial in determining the party's direction and policy implementation. A particularly troubling incident that has cast a shadow over Starmer's leadership is the mistreatment of Faiza Shaheen, a respected economist and Labour candidate. Shaheen, known for her outspoken advocacy on social justice and economic equality, faced significant internal obstacles and mistreatment within the party. This incident has raised serious questions about the party's commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all its members. Starmer’s economic policies will be a focal point in this Parliament. Emphasizing investment in public services, tackling income inequality, and addressing climate change, these policies will need support from other parties. Potential alliances with the Liberal Democrats, Greens, and SNP could shape Labour’s legislative agenda and influence policy outcomes. Social policies, including healthcare, education, and housing, will be at the forefront of Labour’s agenda. Starmer’s ability to articulate a clear and compelling vision for these issues, while negotiating with other parties, will be critical. The party’s approach to social justice, inclusivity, and equity will be closely scrutinized by both supporters and critics. Keir Starmer’s leadership will be pivotal in navigating this complex political landscape. The next few months will test his ability to build consensus, manage internal dynamics, and steer the Labour Party towards effective governance. #KeirStarmer #LabourParty #Politics #2024Election #Parliament #PoliticalLeadership #LabourStrategy #PublicPolicy #EconomicReform #SocialJustice #FaizaShaheen #CoalitionGovernment #UK #PoliticalFuture #PrimeMinister #British #England #English #London

The government has published the Employment Rights Bill to help provide economic growth in the UK. The bill proposes 28 employment reforms that address various issues, including parental leave, statutory sick pay and zero-hours contracts. Find out more here: ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eu94hpBj #government #reform #employment #rights #employees #business #growth #flexibility

Last week, the UK Government published the anticipated Employment Rights Bill. The bill aims to create new partnerships between businesses, trade unions, and working people, a huge step in the government’s economic growth mission. Key components of the bill include: • Day 1 rights of employment • Banning exploitative zero-hour contracts • Ending “Fire and Rehire” • Fair work agency • Right to bereavement leave • Protection for pregnant women and new mothers • And more Read EGA UK’s report on what the bill means and reactions from key stakeholders: https://lnkd.in/er9zvVQq #UK #EmploymentRightsBill

Ticking a box once every five years is exciting and all, but the General Election is not the only way to exercise your power as a citizen. Here are five other ways to influence the decisions which affect your life, every day: 🤑 Vote with your money: where and who you spend your money with affects where wealth flows, who wins and who loses. So where you can, spend more of your money with social enterprises, community businesses and cooperatives. These businesses are often owned and run by members, prioritizing community needs and sustainable practices over profit. 📢 Make your voice heard: whilst Citizens Assemblies in the UK don't quite yet have the same influence as in other countries, they are a great way to discuss and make recommendations on important issues alongside people you may not otherwise associate with. In an age of political polarisation and culture wars, assemblies are proven to foster more inclusive and informed decision-making. 🤝 Join a union: Unions play a crucial role in advocating for workers' rights, fair wages, and safe working conditions, giving employees a collective voice to influence workplace policies. 💪 Get involved in your local community: By working together, communities can identify problems, develop strategies, and take collective action to bring about positive change. There are thousands of voluntary and community organisations, not to mention community organisers, waiting for you. 🏛 Engage with Local Government: You don't have to become a councillor, school governor or magistrate, though these are all options. Simply attending local council meetings or planning sessions is enough to ensure you can voice your opinions on community issues, propose solutions, and stay informed about decisions that impact your area. I've provided links to resources for each of these in the comments below. Because the best thing about all of these is you don't need to wait for soneone else to fire the starting gun. #generalelection #democracy #localgovernment #communitydevelopment