Alan Lofthouse

Dad, husband, dog owner and trade unionist. Sometimes DJ! Former chef, paramedic and now current Assoc CIPD member. Love the NHS and TECHNO. Views my own

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

Get yourselves 2 hours of dark, pounding techno. Some dub themes and some acid thrown in for good measure. The first track is from 1988 and sounds just as fresh today as it did back then. Please share and support the wonderful @fnoobtechno station!
https://t.co/wMdZ5zJGjt

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

Acid Special mix. From the 80s to to 2020s this mix brings out some great acid sounds. Listen to the mighty @fnoobtechno everyday for more global underground techno!

https://t.co/yhalP6ddvs

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

https://t.co/8DYiCAdZBk

What's that? An hour of @loftyfubar live in a nightclub in Bournemouth playing Techno........ don't mind if I do!

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

My new mix , including some classic 90s Techno from Noom records amongst many others. Los geht's mit dem Tanz
https://t.co/XH89erMiTm

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

Frustrated that the @NHSEngland 2024/25 priorities and operational planning guidance has nothing to say about violence against staff. #NotPartoftheJob

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

Such an important win for our freedom to exercise our ultimate right to withdraw our labour and not be punished for it. @unisontheunion fighting for real working people against employers and the government. So proud to be part of this fabulous organisation and movement!

[UNISON - UK's largest union @unisontheunion]

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: UNISON win in Supreme Court to stop bad bosses from punishing striking workers

'The most important industrial action case for decades,' UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea

The government must now act quickly to change the law and ensure no other employees are treated unfairly.

Judges in the Supreme Court have told employers they’ll no longer be able to discipline their staff for taking part in legal strike action in a UK Supreme Court ruling today.

UNISON took the case on behalf of care worker Fiona Mercer.

Today’s judgment follows a two-day hearing in December. UNISON took the case to the Supreme Court to overturn an earlier Court of Appeal decision. The union had argued this had left the UK in breach of international law and striking employees without proper protection.

The Supreme Court judges were scathing of the government’s failure to provide the minimum protection UK workers should have been granted, says UNISON. 

UK law prevents employers from sacking employees who take legal strike action, but until today, it offered no protection to anyone subsequently picked upon for walking out in a dispute.

Fiona had originally taken a case against her then employer, Alternative Futures Group (AFG), a charity based in the north west of England, to an employment tribunal in 2020.

She had been involved in a dispute over AFG’s plans to cut payments to care staff who did sleep-in shifts. Fiona’s employer wasn’t happy, singled her out, suspended her and barred her from going into work or contacting colleagues during the action.

Fiona’s case wound up at an employment appeal tribunal (EAT) in 2021, which found in her favour. It said UK law must protect her from being victimised for going on strike.

That should have been it, says UNISON, as the charity had then decided it wasn’t prepared to proceed any further.

But the then business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng intervened and took the case to the Court of Appeal, which subsequently decided to reverse the EAT decision in March 2022.

Back to where it started, UNISON sought permission on behalf of Fiona to take the case to the highest court in the land, and this led to the judgment handed down today.

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea @cmcanea “This is the most important industrial action case for decades. It’s a victory for every employee who might one day want to challenge something bad or unfair their employer has done.

“Rogue bosses won’t like it one bit. They’ll no longer be able to punish or ill-treat anyone who dares to take strike action to try to solve any problems at work.

“No one strikes on a whim. There are many legal hoops to be jumped through first. But when a worker decides to walk out, they should be able to do so, safe in the knowledge they won’t be victimised by a spiteful boss.

“The government must now close this loophole promptly. It won’t cost any money and isn’t difficult to do. Today is a day to celebrate.”

Fiona Mercer said: “I’m delighted at today’s outcome. Although it won’t change the way I was treated, it means irresponsible employers will now think twice before behaving badly towards their unhappy staff. If they single strikers out for ill-treatment, they’ll now be breaking the law.”

Another amazing win by @UNISON_Legal to protect our members and the rights of working people.

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

https://t.co/l3HCfkgUqs

Latest mix!

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

Like he said!

[UNISON - UK's largest union @unisontheunion]

A new survey shows NHS staff in England suffering a shocking amount of abuse.

Harassment, abuse and discrimination have no place in a 21st century NHS.

"Harassment or ill-treatment of any kind is simply wrong. NHS staff must be able to get on with their jobs without the fear of abuse, assault, or ill-treatment from bigots, racists and sexual predators," Alan Lofthouse
UNISON acting deputy head of health

“The number of sexually motivated incidents is shocking. Health and emergency workers caring for people and saving lives shouldn’t ever have to suffer attacks, unwanted advances or inappropriate comments.

“Employers need to do more to ensure everyone working in the NHS, using its services or visiting patients knows how to behave and what will happen to them if they don't.

“That means senior managers working closely with unions and staff to make the NHS workplace a safer, kinder, fairer and nicer place to work. One that’s completely free from discrimination, violence and harassment.

“The chancellor says he wants the NHS to become more productive. But the lived experiences of staff, squeezed resources and record low pay is forcing many to leave the jobs they love.

“With more than one in five NHS workers admitting they want to quit in the next year, the government needs to tackle wage rates right away. Staff satisfaction with pay is almost the worst it’s ever been. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out why.

“The NHS simply couldn't function without its workers. That’s why it’s so important staff are rewarded properly with a decent pay rise when it’s due in couple of weeks.” @UNISONOurNHS

[UNISON - UK's largest union @unisontheunion]

Chancellor is living in a fantasy world, says UNISON

Commenting on the budget, UNISON general secretary @cmcanea Christina McAnea:

“This is the stuff of fantasy. The public won’t be fooled. Taxes overall remain at a record high and the promised growth is nowhere to be seen, despite what the chancellor would have everyone believe.

“There’s no budget giveaway for the lowest paid. They’ll be substantially worse off. And persistently punching public services in the face helps no one.

“Families might be struggling, but people would rather have functioning local services than a few possible extra pounds in their pockets.

“Public services are the fabric keeping communities together. No one wants to go weeks to see a GP, spend hours waiting in over-crowded A&E departments or languish on growing NHS waiting lists.

“People want care packages when they need support, school buildings that won’t fall apart and for the police to keep them safe. That’s no longer possible under the Conservatives.

“Public services can barely cope as it is. Proper investment is what’s needed, not another dose of callous austerity or telling nurses, teaching assistants and care staff to work harder.

“Never mind going back to square one, the chancellor’s determined to take the country back to the days of Charles Dickens.

“But let’s face it, this government ran out of ideas long ago. Ministers have misread the public mood and will pay for it at the ballot box.

“Rishi Sunak and his failing ministers are living on borrowed time. This lot should finally put the country first and call an election.”

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

An hour of me digging around in a crate of vinyl. Taking a more Detroit sound this month, expect Luke Slater, Jeff Mills, Robert Armani, DJ Sneak, Dave Clarke, Dan Curtin, Kenny Larkin and Acid Junkies to name a few a Check out https://t.co/3ECWWKLbi2 https://t.co/XFGIqpaxz3

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

Keen to start a career with UNISON, the UK’s biggest and best health trade union? We are looking for a permanent Assistant National Officer to join our Health Service Group team this spring.

https://t.co/ZxyTeelLhE

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

https://t.co/6KB77hfzjg A cracking mix taking you on a journey from minimal techno, through to acid, throwing in some jungle techno and psytrance! Tracks from Luche, Blawan, Doileir, Gunjack, Plastikman, Pump Panel, Mannie D, Luke's Anger, Rob Stow and many more! Banging.

[UNISON - UK's largest union @unisontheunion]

Great film about our #PayFairForPatientCare campaign.

Here in @UNISONEastMids region HCAs are getting together to achieve the pay they deserve. @UNISONOurNHS

[UNISON - UK's largest union @unisontheunion]

Today the government launches a consultation on the introduction of a separate pay spine for nurses in England.

But NHS staff need better pay, not these sorts of divisive distractions.

“The NHS needs greater funding to be able to offer decent pay for all staff. That’s the way to recruit and retain the workforce that’s needed," UNISON acting head of health Helga Pile.

“Pitting different groups of staff against each other for a larger slice of what’s available is the wrong approach. It would divert time and resources from the real problems, damage team morale and tie employers up in years of equal pay claims.

“Nurses – along with all other NHS staff – are rightly furious about being underpaid and poorly recognised for the work they do.

“Instead of creating divisive distractions, ministers should be looking to grade nurses properly, so they’re paid fairly for their skills and training, improve career progression and offer decent overtime rates for all.” @UNISONOurNHS #OneTeamNHS

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

What's that? Post Christmas @fnoobtechno for your ears? Get your ears on!!
https://t.co/Cmnbq3XTrv

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

@CollegeODP Congratulations El Presidente!

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

@argylepete @SWAAHBUNISON @jonlegge20 @jmf293 @sarahyann @unisontheunion A well deserved hamper. You were always the support the members needed and the thorn the management needed Pete. And you were always there for me when I needed you most. Thank you Pete!

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

Latest SHOW people. Like and Share. Like and Share!

https://t.co/tQCdMysQzR

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

@Conservatives just a warning to avoid Black Friday scams. There are expected to be more this year than ever before. Remember, if that PPE contract looks too good to be true, it probably is.

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

@jonskewes @WhitHealth @MidwivesRCM Congratulations Jon! Welcome to the world Theo

[Alan Lofthouse @loftyfubar]

Techno Alert. Techno Alert. Download and listen. Share and like. Rave and rave on people
https://t.co/Rn8jwvo0BZ