Applecart arts is a creative venue, housed by Newham Council in the old registry office, providing performance arts to the local community and jobs to Equity members. They are a cornerstone of the community yet Applecart Arts is facing closure due to cashflow issues. Equity represents many freelancers who find work at Applecart. Such a loss of freelance work is totally counterproductive to what a borough serious about culture is trying to achieve. You cannot have art without the workers who create it!

These mass terminations at TGI Friday’s have been devastating for staff who have given years of loyal service.  Restaurants were closed and workers were locked out without any notice by a company who made £190.7m in revenue last year.  Senior management at TGI Friday's including CEO Julie McEwan knew the company was in difficulty for some time, but chose not to carry out meaningful redundancy consultations in good faith.   They chose to let the company sink and let the government insolvency service pick up the tab for £millions in severance packages.  Where was the political outcry?  Staff were terminated without notice or consultation. They were owed wages, holidays, tips, notice pay and redundancy. They were given 57 minutes notice of a call many could not attend to be told their jobs were gone. They weren't even allowed to ask questions.  When P&O sacked 800 workers without any notice in very similar circumstances, there was rightfully a national outcry, from the media, from politicians and from the public. Now, even with a Labour Government, over 1,000 workers are sacked and there have been no questions in parliament, no CEO compelled to appear before a select committee to answer for their behaviour.  We want a meeting with Jonathon Reynolds (Secretary of State for Business & Trade) to discuss how this mass firing without notice can be made illegal once and for all.  Why were these restaurant workers treated like this? Because in the eyes of employers and most politicians, hospitality workers are expendable. They matter less than workers in other industries. But not as far as Unite Hospitality is concerned... Following a national organising campaign which saw hundreds of TGI workers join their union Unite Hospitality, the pressure on the company was such that they were forced to pay-out wages, tips and holiday pay within a week. Something that the company had told the workers would not haoppen a matter of days previously.  But the fight is not over.  Significant numbers of these ex-TGI Friday’s staff have been short-changed on their wages, holiday pay and tips. And despite assurances from administrators Teneo, the workers continue to be locked out of sites & can’t retrieve their belongings. The workers deserve better than this.  We're calling on TGI Friday's CEO, Julie McEwan, to pay up what is fair to workers who have lost their job, for Teneo to open-up sites to allow workers access to their belongings and a meeting with Jonathon Reynolds 

Abolishing peak fares will help reduce financial strain on commuters, particularly low-income workers and essential service providers who are disproportionately affected by the current pricing system. These individuals, often with no choice but to travel during rush hours, face inflated fares that make everyday commuting a heavy financial burden. By scrapping peak fares, we can create a more inclusive and equitable transport system that ensures fair access for all, regardless of schedule. This change would also support the Scottish Government’s broader climate ambitions by encouraging a shift away from private car usage. Lower rail fares will make public transport a more attractive and viable option, helping to reduce congestion, lower emissions, and decrease Scotland's reliance on cars. It presents a clear opportunity for the government to demonstrate leadership in providing accessible, affordable, and sustainable public services. With the cost of living continuing to rise, the Scottish Government has a unique opportunity to support working families and everyday commuters by permanently abolishing peak fares. This move would send a powerful message that Scotland is committed to providing equitable and accessible public services. It would not only address social inequality but also contribute significantly to the country’s environmental goals. The recent trial period of peak fare removal has already demonstrated the policy's benefits. Commuters reported significant savings, and rail usage increased by 7 percent. This data indicates that eliminating peak fares on a permanent basis has the potential to drive long-term behavioural change, with more people choosing sustainable, greener transport options.

More than 130 porters, cleaners, and catering staff at Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Broadgreen Hospital are currently on strike, fighting for what they are owed.  These workers, previously employed by ISS to perform essential roles such as catering, portering, and domestic services, were transferred to LUHFT in April 2023.  However, the trust claims that because these workers were not directly employed by the NHS at the time of the pandemic, they do not qualify for the bonus that their colleagues have received. These workers were on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, risking their health and safety to keep our hospitals running smoothly. Their contributions were vital, and yet they are being denied the recognition and compensation given to their colleagues who performed the same duties. Those excluded from the payment are among the lowest-paid in the NHS workforce. They have faced financial hardship every day, and this decision exacerbates their struggles.  Our NHS workers deserve to be treated fairly and with respect. To deny them this payment after their sacrifice and dedication during the pandemic is unacceptable.  Add your name and demand LUHFT pay these workers what they deserve.

Did you know Strictly is one of the biggest shows on UK television? Over 8 million people tune in each week   Cutting the band is not just a huge loss of earnings to the musicians. It denies audiences the opportunity to see and enjoy fully live music   Sign the petition to keep Strictly live 

Equity is distressed to hear about plans to sell Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, and the imminent closure of its program of events. We understand that the current programming team, who have established BGWMC as an icon of significant importance to the community over the past 20 years, have been given 2 months’ notice to shut down and vacate the venue by Monday 29th July. The potential loss of yet another London venue for queer nightlife is devastating and represents a significant loss of work for performers in the drag and cabaret sector. Not only is the BGWMC venue an asset of tremendous value to the community, but the programme of events is also a vital and consistent source of income for so many professionals. Save Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club!

 We, the undersigned call on NatWest to reverse the decision to close the Upper Edmonton Natwest branch… SAVE OUR BANK BRANCH.

Eurostar claim that “Whether it’s a hearty meal or a light bite, we’re passionate about our food.” But they’re less passionate about fairness for the people who get the food onto their trains. Eurostar has outsourced the supply of food on its services to a company called Rail Gourmet, owned by the travel food multinational SSP Group.  SSP made an operating profit of £55 million in the UK over 2023, while the Group paid a £46 million dividend to its shareholders in the same year.  Rail Gourmet only pay the London Living Wage of £13.15 an hour and their workers get inadequate sick pay and no decent pension, meaning they live hand to mouth while shareholders profit and Eurostar wash their hands of these essential workers.  Rail Gourmet’s Eurostar caterers have had enough and they’re fighting back. They’re campaigning and taking industrial action in pursuit of a decent pay rise, sick pay and pensions. They need your help.  Please add your name to this petition to the Directors of Rail Gourmet and Eurostar calling on them to ensure that hard-working catering staff are made a new offer that can settle their dispute. 

Over time we have seen a substantial change in our job role.  The cases we handle are far more complex and challenging as services user needs have changed. We are now handling cases that can include severe mental health, neglect, abuse, exploitation and other situations which previously were exclusively dealt with by Social Workers. Lancashire County Council found the majority of Social Care Support Officers to be working at a higher grade, but our regrading did not result in our grade increasing. The service will simply not survive if skilled and dedicated workers are forced to leave because of low pay and lack of recognition for our work.

The Glaswegian Hospitality sector is renown for its poverty pay, precarious working conditions and habitual breaches of health and safety. Workers are often treated with a lack of respect and consideration by employers. In the wake of our industrial dispute against such conditions, a worker-owned 13th Note could provide a concrete example to workers and employers that our sector is not incompatible with fair pay and fair work. We will ensure good working conditions for all 13th Note staff through a commitment to Unite Hospitality's 10-point charter. We aim not solely to reopen the 13th Note for ourselves, but for the arts, cultural and social scenes which it has fostered and will continue to nourish in the future. P.S. We estimate that it will cost us around £40k to completely revamp the venue and make it fit for unionised workers and discerning customers. We have already raised £10k but you can support us by donating here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-the-13th-note-workers

Whitbread may not care about their workforce but they certainly care about the future custom of the general public. If you believe that Whitbread should stop these jobs cuts and consult with Unite, please sign, share and make your voice heard!

An NHS trust has closed a site a considerable distance from the rest of its sites. After offering workers the chance to relocate, those who cannot commit to making such a long commute are being threatened with being laid-off without the contractual redundancy pay they're entitled to. They will be made redundant this Easter Sunday without any commitment to any future pay from the trust. The trust should do the right think and make sure these workers are fairly compensated.