Notting Hill Strikers meet Karen Buck MP and Glenda Jackson MP at Parliament

Following on from the meeting on Tuesday with Housing minister John Healey and Notting Hill staff. On Thursday evening Karen Buck MP (Westminster North) and Glenda Jackson MP (Hampstead and Highgate) gave a reception at the House of Commons for UNISON members who live in their constituencies. This was to thank members for all their hard work in providing public services.

London UNISON Labour Link arranged for 4 Notting Hill Housing Trust members to attend in order to meet Karen and Glenda and explain what their dispute is about.

On Monday (tomorrow) UNISON members in Notting Hill will take unprecedented strike action against their Chief Executive’s decision to get rid of family friendly policies and attack basic terms and conditions. This extremely highly paid CEO who is a housing advisor to the Conservative Party is refusing to even try conciliation through ACAS or to allow UNISON to speak to its board.

Notting Hill Housing Trust began in Karen’s constituency and is one of its biggest social landlords so she has a particularly keen interest in its affairs.

Both MPs had private discussions with the Strikers and will contacting Notting Hill senior management. The impact of these changes on the mainly female workforce was of major concern.

Also at the reception was veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner who also met up with the strikers and gave a cracking speech on the importance of the Labour movement for ordinary working people. Former MP and current Head of Diversity at Channel 4 Oona King was also had a meeting and was very supportive. Future lobbies are being planned with London Assembly members and Council leaders.

I’ll post more on tomorrows strike later.