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Workers ‘mugged’ this Xmas
As we go to press rising prices and falling wages means eight in 10 workers will struggle to meet the cost of Christmas this year, with 60 per cent cutting back and a fifth borrowing on average £700 to make ends meet over the festive season.
The findings involving 8,462 respondents from an independent survey for Unite point to an estimated £4.1bn Christmas debt mountain for workers to pay off in the new year.
Commenting, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey, said, “Working men and women are facing a Christmas debt mountain thanks to Scrooge brothers Cameron and Osborne. Falling living standards and biting austerity mean a Christmas of worry and a new year of debt for many.
“As the money runs out and the bills stack up, people will be burying themselves in debt to pay for the essentials, let alone the Christmas turkey or this year’s ‘must have’ for the kids.
“There will be no such worries for Cameron and Osborne as they mug hardworking families this Christmas to give handouts to millionaires in the new year.”
“Ordinary people struggling to get by face more financial hardship in Christmases to come, unless we have a change of course and a government that invests in growth and jobs.”
WEBSITE/TPO Unite – digital pioneer
Digital pioneer union Unite lead the way with the launch in December of its new mobile phone service and new website. Both are set to power further the union’s growing social media profile.
The new phone service sees Unite join forces with new mobile phone service provider, The People’s Operator (TPO), to offer a lower cost mobile service to all Unite members, their friends and family.
Launching both new services, general secretary Len McCluskey said, “This union is now at the forefront of using mobile technology to bring members closer to their union.
“Our mobile phone service will ensure that we are with our members, in their pockets, never
FOOD WORKERS Vion jobs demand
Unite demanded jobs assurances from meat processing giant Vion in Novem- ber, following Vion’s announcement to sell off its UK food operations. Vion said it was selling its UK businesses to concentrate on its markets in Germany and the Netherlands. The company em- ploys a total 12,500 workers.
10 uniteWORKS July/August 2012
Unite national officer Julia Long said, “In the current economic cli- mate finding alternative employment will be near impossible for many of the workers. Vion and any new buyer have a duty to give the workforce se- curity and a future.”
more than a call or text away. It is not just a high quality service, it is also a great deal in tough times.
“Our new website means members current and potential can see at a glance what this union offers to them and the efforts we make day in, day out, on their behalf.”
Unite was recently pronounced the leading union on Twitter by industry expert Simon Parry of Infobo. The union also passed 15,000 Twitter followers, putting it on a par with leading digital campaign group 38 degrees. You can– •follow Unite on Twitter @unitetheunion
• our new website can be seen at
www.unitetheunion.org
• join Unite’s free phone text service, text CUTS to 86888
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