Christina McAnea: Nominated by UNISON Greater London as General Secretary by 24 votes to

 

This lunchtime the Greater London Regional Committee voted to nominate Christina McAnea, as the next General Secretary of  UNISON by 24 votes to 4.

Brilliant result! 

Funeral Mass of Councillor Neil Wilson, RIP

 

On Thursday lunch time I attended the funeral Mass of Newham Councillor, Neil Wilson, at St. Alban the Martyr Church in Holborn. 

Neil had been a Labour Party and Councillor colleague of mine for many years. He was also at the time of his death the Cabinet Lead for Health & Adult Social Care. 

The service was very well attended and many thanks to his family and the Church for a lovely service and the refreshments afterwards.

The Church itself was magnificent with a wonderful Choir. Neil had been an active member of the Church for many years and used to assist with the services, which I knew, he was very proud of this. 

Rest in Peace Neil. 

TUC Congress 2025: Day 4

 

Last day of Congress. I was up early to go for final jog along the prom but it was raining, so being very much a fair weather runner, I went to the hotel gym instead. 

Congress started as usual at 9.30am beginning with the the latest "Union wins video", then a powerful debate on Composite motion "The Crisis in Palestine", which was followed by an address from the International Speaker – Shaher Saed from the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions. 

Then controversial motions on Climate change and a "Just Transition" requirement amendment (carried) followed by "Reform of the TUC". 

As with the "Wages not Weapons" motion previously, there was a clash between predominantly public sector unions and private sector unions on the Just Transition amendment. 

While in the debate on the "Future of the TUC" seemed me more about the role of the TUC - should it act as the national UK trade union or its traditional role to facility a UK federation of independent unions? Again some great speeches, some not that comradely, on both sides of the argument. The motion was clearly lost.   

There was also a number of important motions on disability issues followed by 6 Emergency motions. 

Check out the programme for Congress business here https://www.tuc.org.uk/Congress2025/programme-business-congress-2025 and results here https://congress.tuc.org.uk/motion_type/all_motions/#sthash.RRkjFVlf.bgWohJM8.dpbs

Final business of Congress was the traditional vote of thanks and award of a Gold Badge (and Congress bell!) to the outgoing President, Mark Dickinson, who had been a marvellous Chair of Congress. Efficient, fair and supportive of first time speakers. By coincidence he reminded me of my former Branch Chair, Tony Power, in looks and temperament.  

Next years President is the General Secretary of the Prison Officers union, Steve Gillan. Who Mick Lynch, from the RMT cheekily suggested would deal with any dissent in the TUC General Council by locking the door until they agreed a line. 

After close of Congress there was a rush to the hotel to pick up luggage, then I walked to the station (no rain) and was able to get into the rear first class coach of the Thameslink train (no need for upgrade on this carriage only) with 2 other UNISON delegates from London for further debate (and gossip)

TUC Congress 2025: Day 3

 

Congress started with “Union wins - video” then carried on debating motions on organising and recruitment, in particular young members, employment rights, Fair funding for local authorities and social care. UNISON member Sonia Pickford received the TUC Women’s Gold Badge.

Motion 37 “Wages not weapons” was controversial and resulted in quite a bitter debate (very rare at Congress) but with some good speeches on both sides. The motion went to a card vote and was narrowly passed. UNISON voted in favour.

During the lunch break I attended a workshop on “How to harness digital to boost campaigns”. Run by the TUC social media team. It was really interesting and genuinely interactive with the audience. Will I be brave enough to do what they suggested with my social media?

There was further motions debated on backing Britain’s potteries, steel industry, shipping and the future of work.

Interestingly Government Minister, Bridget Phillipson gave an address and answered questions from delegates. Bridget has announced that she is standing in the Deputy Leadership of the Labour Party contest. It was reassuring to hear her say that the Government will ensure that the Tory-reform attempts to water down the Employment Rights Bills will be defeated “No ifs or buts”.

Congress watched a very powerful video on tackling sexual harassment in the workplace but also in the Union.

Motion 7 on “Supreme Court ruling - active support for trans and non-binary workers” was passed unanimously.

TUC Congress 2025: Day 2

The first full day of Congress (Monday) started for me with an early morning jog along Brighton beach. At 9.30am I took my seat with the UNISON delegation. 

There was a number of important debates on Fire service, Zane’s Law, Prison safety, wealth tax, tackling the far right, tackling sexism and the probation service.  There was a number of UNISON speakers.

The TUC General Secretary, Paul Nowak, gave a hard hitting address, attacking Reform MPs for voting against the Employment rights Bill and also for supporting US-style private health care. 

During lunch I attended a fringe on “How should trade unions respond to the rise of Reform UK” with Hope Not Hate and addressed by UNISON assistant General Secretary Liz Snape. The lesson for me from this fringe is that we have to listen, understand and win over members who support Reform and not just condemn them.

Ellie Reeves MP, a former trade union lawyer now Solicitor General, gave a well received address to Congress as the Labour Party Sororal delegate.

In the evening I went to my second fringe of the day. “Worker-Centric Housing - how do we build 1.5 million homes for where workers want to live? By YIMBY Alliance with panel speaker Maggi Ferncombe from UNISON. I expressed my usual concern on this topic that we will not be able to build all these homes without more public subsidy. 

TUC Congress 2025: Day 1

 I travelled down to Brighton yesterday afternoon for the 4pm start of the 157th Congress. I am part of the UNISON delegation (via our NEC). 

Congress is chaired this year by the no nonsense, General Secretary of the Seafarer Union, Nautilus, Mark Dickinson’s. You can watch Congress live and read about the motions and speeches at www.tuc.org.uk/Congress2025. 

I will post more on Congress later

Least we forget: Remembering the 85th anniversary of the Blitz.

 

Hat tip Newham History Society

UNISON Safety inspection in Leeds Housing office

 

Today I travelled up to Leeds to support a new UNISON safety representative, Wayne, on his first trade union safety inspection of his local housing office and workshop. Wayne is a repairs operative, currently repairing void (empty) properties and has worked for the organisation for 30 years. 

The inspection was done in conjunction with Facilities management who were very helpful and reactive to problems identified. We also discussed safety issues and violence at work with the estate housing officer present. 

Our employer has 48 offices across England and we are planning to inspect all of them (eventually!). 

UNISON NEC nominate Christina McAnea to be our General Secretary

 

This morning I was present, as an elected lay member of the UNISON National Executive Committee at the NEC hustings in the UNISON centre, London of candidates standing to be our next General Secretary.  Christina McAnea is the existing UNISON General Secretary and is re-standing for a second term.

After hearing the speeches of both candidates, I voted in favour of nominating Christina McAnea. The NEC voted overwhelming for Christina to be our nominee. 

In the next few weeks UNISON branches, regional councils and service groups will be voting on who to nominate to this absolutely key position in the union. Please attend these nomination meetings and please support Christina. I will post further on why. 

Another evening "on the knocker" in Plaistow South

 

This evening I was the "board runner" again (not with a clip board anymore but a Labour Party mobile phone app) with a group of activists led by our by election candidate, Ash. 

We did both sides of a very long street in the ward. It was threatening to rain but there was only a few occasional drops.  I read out the briefing to all the teams at the beginning and Ash thanked everyone for giving up their time to support him. There was then the inevitable photo! 

Another positive canvass. Some negativity but that is democracy for you. It was good to be involved with lots of enthusiastic activists from all ages, experience and backgrounds, coming together to fight the good fight.

By election is Thursday 18 September. Check out here if you can join us. https://events.labour.org.uk/

If you have not canvassed before do not worry, since your will be paired with an experienced activist until you feel comfortable to knock on a door by yourself.