No worker should be expected to tolerate sexual abuse, harassment or bullying of any kind at work. But McDonald’s has been hit by a wave of allegations that hundreds of workers are still facing sexual abuse and harassment, a year after its CEO promised action to protect workers.  Across the UK, 89% of McDonald’s workers are on zero-hours contracts. Zero-hours contracts create a huge imbalance of power in the workplace that leaves workers vulnerable to predatory bosses.  The shocking claims revealed in a new BBC investigation include:  • A 17-year-old being asked for sex in return for more shifts at work by her manager, who was in his 30s.  • That managers would “touch up” other members of staff and send sexually explicit messages to 16-18 year old employees.  • That managers were racist, homophobic and bullied an employee due to their disability.  • That a manager performed a Nazi salute to a Jewish employee.  No-one should ever find themselves in a position like this, having to put up with sexual harassment, racism, homophobia or bullying.  The BBC’s investigation has exposed how sexual harassment and insecure work can go hand in hand.  Zero-hours contracts create a huge imbalance of power in the workplace that leaves workers dependent on their managers for shifts on a week-by-week basis, and vulnerable to predatory bosses. If staff say no to their manager, they face losing future work.  McDonald’s claims that workers are free to move onto guaranteed hours contracts if they want to. But the BBC spoke to 50 workers across the country who say they were not given the choice to switch to minimum guaranteed hours.  McDonald’s is one of the largest employers in the UK. It should be setting the standard on workforce conditions – not leading a race to the bottom. It’s clear that use of zero-hours contracts is enabling abuse of fast-food workers. It’s time for McDonald’s to make a guaranteed hours contract the default for all workers.   Photo: Theasis/Getty Images

As care sector workers employed by HC-One, we know that when our colleagues don’t have paid sick days, they stay sick longer, we are more likely to get sick and we make our residents sick. No Sick Pay means unhealthy workplaces. As the UK's biggest care home group, HC-One should be taking a lead on this vital issue. Support our campaign by signing our virtual Sick Note now. We’re Sick Of Statutory Sick Pay at HC-One!

These cuts will go right through the heart of Corringham & Stanford Le Hope. The schools have been an integral part of these towns for years. These cuts will damage the education children in Thurrock will be able to receive by overloading teachers and cutting the job roles that provide the pastoral support that teenagers especially need! Not to mention the inadequate provision for children with SEND. We are saying no to the cuts, and that our children deserve better! Support our staff by signing this petition and joining us at this time of the Gable Hall & Hassenbrook crisis! SOS! If you are a support staff member in Thurrock, join GMB union today at www.GMB.org.uk/join-GMB

The creative industries generate £28.3bn in turnover and £13.5bn in Gross Value Added, making up nearly 6% of the UK economy [1]. Their success relies on a diverse workforce, which can only be achieved with a social security system which supports  new starters and low earners to build their careers. The MIF reduces diversity and so directly affects who we see on our stages and screens and whose stories are told.  Not Here to Help, a report for Equity by Dr Heidi Ashton, Centre for Culture and Media Policy Studies, The University of Warwick, found that the MIF drives self-employed creatives away from creative work because they cannot afford to stay in it [2], with nearly half of respondents subjected to the MIF saying they had or were considering leaving the industry.    The MIF is a particular barrier to disabled people.In our casework we have seen that those moving to UC from tax credits tend to claim UC for ill-health rather than be subject to the MIF. This is a highly regressive impact of the MIF. Pushing people away from high quality work is at odds with all sustainable employment evidence and the government’s plan to “Get Britain Working”.    Sign this petition to call on the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to abolish the minimum income floor in Universal Credit.    Petition created by David John, Honorary Treasurer and Audio Artists Councillor at Equity. [1] https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/research-and-data/contribution-art-and-culture-sector-uk-economy. [2] https://www.equity.org.uk/campaigns-policy/policy-work/universal-credit-report. 

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!

• Without ticket office staff we will no longer be able to secure the best fare for our journeys. • Unstaffed stations increase the risks of anti-social behaviour, and jeopardise the safety of women and vulnerable passengers. • Closing ticket offices early removes the support many people need, particularly those with disabilities or learning challenges.  • Ticket vending machines are confusing, especially for older passengers, and many people do not have smart phones.  • At a time of climate crisis we need more people to use the railways. Reducing ticket office opening hours will make rail travel less appealing. 

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 

In response to an application from Equity, the Principal Planning Officer for Tower Hamlets has confirmed the position of the Local Authority, saying "any proposed development which would not retain the existing cultural venue (along with its important LGBT+ focus) would not be supported.”  The Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club has been a hub for creativity, and inclusivity for more than 20 years, and has a community history that spans 130 years. It has provided a platform for countless artists, professional performers, and community groups, particularly within the LGBT+ community. Its closure has already left a significant void in the local cultural landscape, and we fear that, without immediate intervention, this iconic space could be lost in a battle between developers and planning protections.  Tower Hamlets Council has an opportunity to not only safeguard the club’s future but also signal to residents that their cultural heritage is valued and protected. By doing so, they can ensure that this historic venue continues to thrive and live up to its reputation as a unique centre for culture and community.  We urge Tower Hamlets to act swiftly, as the longer the club remains closed, the greater the risk of it falling into disrepair and being lost forever. We hope that Tower Hamlets Council will take this opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to the arts, culture, and the diverse communities that call this borough home. 

Unipart Rail is a key supplier to Network Rail, which is publicly funded, and it is unacceptable for suppliers in Network Rail's supply chain to take an anti-trade union approach. This move to derecognise RMT Union by Unipart Rail flies in the face of the recent positive announcements by the new Labour government on trade union recognition and workplace rights. Both RMT and Unite have recognition at this site, and Unipart have said that their existing recognition agreement with Unite will continue unaffected. 

The council CAN and SHOULD use it's powers around late night licensing criteria to ensure Hospitality venues provide free transport for late night and anti-social hours workers. The council must also call for improved late night transport provision,  minimum standards for taxi and private hire safety and stronger enforcement of harassment on public transport. 16 UK councils have agreed to support the campaign- let's make Norwich safe too!

This loyal, predominately female workforce has endured year after year of real terms pay cuts. Now they have had enough. GMB members are being intimidated by management not to strike – they are trying to bully workers rather than listen to their concerns and try to find a solution. Please sign our petition and let’s send a message to the Tata bosses telling them they must get back round the negotiating table so their workers can get back to what they do best, producing tea for the nation. By signing this petition, you'll be sending an email directly to Claire O'Hare, HR Manager at UK Operation of Tata Global Beverages

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.