Monthly Archives: April 2011

BA employee update BRITISH AIRWAYS – VOTE SHOWS CABIN CREW REMAIN DETERMINED For the fourth time in two years, cabin crew at British Airways have shown their determination to see justice, respect and dignity restored at BA by voting to take industrial action. In a fantastic show of continued resilience, BA cabin crew have responded to continued attacks by British Airways on their union organisation as well as suspensions and … Continue reading →

Branch Chair Max Freedman was quoted  in the following article in the Daily Mail on unpaid interns in Parliament. MPs may face investigation by the taxman over their refusal to pay the minimum wage to interns working in their offices. Government sources say HM Revenue and Customs is considering ‘targeted enforcement’ in areas where internships are ‘abused’. Areas of concern are understood to include Parliament, where interns are routinely expected … Continue reading →

Nick Clegg launched his social mobility strategy amid great fanfare last week. Clegg, a former intern himself, says he no longer wants to see  people get internships in  Parliament just because their parents “whisper in the ear” of the right person at their golf club. He also says that he wants to see interns properly remunerated. We welcome this push for change, but the strategy won’t mean much if the … Continue reading →

The poll will be open until Friday 22nd April and is open to anyone who works for an MP, is based in Westminster and has a parliament.uk email address. To encourage you to take part we will be giving away an brand new iPad, dinner for two and Roux on Parliament Square and three runners up will receive a bottle of Champagne each. Winners will be randomly selected from all … Continue reading →

The Procedure Committee is conducting an inquiry into the sittings of the House and the Parliamentary Calendar and will take the views of MPs’ staff into account. The branch would like to make a submission and we have secured an extended deadline of next Monday 11 April. If substantial changes are made to the hours the House sits this will have an impact on staff so please send through any comments … Continue reading →

Tuesday 12 April, 7pm, NUT Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London, WC1H (Euston/Kings Cross tubes) With Comandante Victor Dreke Cruz, veteran of the Bay of Pigs victory, comrade of Che Guevara in the Congo and President of the Cuba-Africa Friendship Association Click here for further details: Bay of Pigs march 2011

Below is a summary of the changes IPSA has made to the expenses scheme in March 2011 that affect MPs’ staff. We will be raising these issues with IPSA at a meeting on 6 April. If you have any comments to add please email our Political Officer at lauren.edwards@unitepsbranch.org Staffing Budget The staffing budget has been increased by around £5k to £115K, which IPSA says is to cover the 1% increase in … Continue reading →