Unite boss Sharon Graham shakes up Britain’s unions amid Birmingham bin strike fallout; first woman general secretary (since 2021).
Unite has warned that thousands of airport workers across Scotland are being balloted for strike action over pay, raising the risk of disruption to flights during the summer peak that coincides with the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Ballots cover Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen airports with ISC/TCS staff and Menzies Aviation crews also involved.
Unions allied with Labour have voiced mounting frustration with Keir Starmer’s government, urging a shift in leadership and strategy as Reform UK gains traction in local elections and critics call for bolder action on working-class needs.
Nigel Farage has urged trade unions to affiliate with Reform UK, arguing the party is “the party of workers.” Unions including Unison and the GMB have rebuffed the invitation, saying Reform would scrap workers’ rights and threaten public-sector jobs. Polls show union members split between Labour and Reform, reflecting shifting loyalties.