Unite West Midlands

29/09/2026

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our former AEEU Regional Secretary, Ray Griffiths, who passed away on Monday 21st September 2026.

Ray started his trade Union journey by joining the Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU) when starting work at High Duty Alloys (Now Mettis Aerospace) in Redditch West Midlands. Ray and his twin Brother were quickly elected as Shop Stewards. Ray then progressed to be an elected Senior Steward and then Senior Convenor of the Redditch plant.

Ray then left High Duty Alloys and became Divisional Organiser of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (AUEW) a position that was elected by members.

In 1992 following a merger with the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbing Union, (EETPU), the union took the name Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEU) and Ray was appointed as Regional Secretary for the West Midlands.

Throughout his Trade Union career Ray was a proud Section 1 Member meaning he was a recognised time served Craftsman.

Ray gave many years of dedicated service to the union and the wider trade union movement, and his contribution will be remembered by all who had the privilege of working alongside him.

Our sincere condolences are extended to his family, friends and former colleagues during this difficult time.

Funeral details will be circulated once arrangements are known.

MATT JONES
Regional Secretary West Midlands

Ray Griffiths

07/09/2026

Unite has been warning that a perfect storm has been hanging over the auto industry for years.
'Death by a thousand cuts' has been going on under the nose of successive governments. Years of underinvestment, unsustainable ZEV mandates and high industrial energy costs are crippling the industry.
There must be further action. There have been intensive government discussions over the weekend to look at how to mitigate these job losses at JLR. The Business Secretary, Jonny Reynolds, and I are meeting the CEO of JLR next week.
Unite the union was pivotal in securing the £1.5 billion government facility for JLR after the cyber-attack. Once again, we will leave no stone unturned to support these workers. It cannot be acceptable that workers are again made to pay the price.

The firm says it needs to save about £1.7bn over the next two years.

26/08/2026

Join us to mark Black History Month 2026 at Unite West Midlands

This year our Unite WM BAEM Committee are. hosting an event celebrating our communities and if your a Unite member you are invited.

Apply by registering here - https://bit.ly/4hQ85Gj

21/08/2026

The fact that a single operator could put nearly the entire West Midlands’ bus network at risk is lunacy.

12/08/2026

A Big Congratulations from Unite West Midlands to Sharon Graham on being re-elected as our General Secretary by a significant majority in a decisive victory 👏👏
Let’s continue the work to fight for our members jobs, pay and conditions ✊✊✊✊
Congratulations Sharon Graham - General Secretary, Unite the Union

12/08/2026

You are invited to attend a special screening of Saris of Strength and a panel discussion marking the 50th anniversary of the Grunwick Dispute.

This inspiring event celebrates the courage of the South Asian women who stood together to fight for dignity, fair pay and workers’ rights – and explores the lasting legacy of the Grunwick dispute for today’s trade union movement.
Event details
Date: Friday 21 August
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Venue: Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, Millennium Point, Birmingham

The event is organised by Birmingham Museums, in partnership with DESIblitz, and is supported by Unite and TUC Midlands.
We encourage all Unite members and activists to attend and be part of this important evening of solidarity, history and discussion.

For more information and to book tickets please head to:
https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/events/saris-of-strength-screening-and-panel-talk-with-desiblitz

09/07/2026

Last night we hosted "Not On Our Watch" performance play in our regional office. The play was eye opening and we recommend anyone who gets the chance to see them should!. No spoilers!

02/07/2026

Our West Midlands Regional Committee with our New Regional Secretary Matt Jones this week. Thanks for all attending it was a very productive meeting. Lets keep moving our region forward together.

30/06/2026

A group of workplace reps from the automotive supply chain in the WM traveled to parliament to lobby regional MPs on the critical nature of the automotive sector and in particular the supply chain workers are to the region's economy. Reps met with Industry Minister Chris McDonald and the event was hosted by Antonia Bance Member of Parliament for Tipton & Wednesbury