TUC - Tackling high temperatures at work: Wednesday 18 June 2025 | 14:00- 15:00

 

High temperatures are a major problem in the workplace, especially during summer. Excessive heat can cause dizziness, fainting, and heat cramps, posing serious health risks. Workers in outdoor sites, warehouses, and kitchens are particularly vulnerable. Union reps play a crucial role in advocating for safer conditions. Join Shelly Asquith, Health and Safety Policy Officer at the TUC, and Miranda Irwin, Coordinator at Heat Strike, to learn how reps can organise for cooler and safer workplaces.

REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR

...and don't forget to join our workplace temperatures week of action

In the week of 14 – 20 July, we're asking union health and safety reps to inspect their workplace temperatures. Let’s take a collective temperature check, and use it to organise for safer, cooler workplaces this summer!   Sign up to take part, and we’ll send you all the tools you need, including a checklist and thermometer.

Attendees of our live webinar will receive a TUC digital credential to demonstrate what they have learned. Find out more about digital credentials. Live captions will be available during this webinar.

Re-elected to UNISON NEC 2025-27

 

I was pleased today to find out that I was re-elected to the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC) for the next 2 years representing all our members who work for Housing Associations and Charities. My running mate Denise Thomas was also re-elected with a similar majority. 

While there were a few shocks and surprises when the results were announced I am so relieved that it seems that a clear working majority of the NEC are not aliened to the tfrc ultra left faction, that has run it (fairly disastrously in my personal view) during the last 4 years. We should now have a NEC that will act on behalf of members, first and foremost. 

Many thanks to all our supporters for such an excellent result. Turnout was dismal in all of these elections and I hope by 2027 the promised legal changes are made to allow electronic balloting. 

I will pass on my commiserations to Anjona and Michelle who stood against the two of us. 

Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum

 

On Saturday while returning from a lovely break in Dorset, I made a stop at the Martyrs Museum in Tolpuddle.

I had visited a few years ago during winter, but it was closed. This museum is truly worth visiting. Located just a few minutes from the A35, it offers free roadside parking, a shop and a small yet highly informative exhibition detailing and arrest of six Dorset farmers in the 1830s. These men were "stitched up" by local landowners and transported to Australia, separated their families, for the "crime" of attempting to establish a trade union.

The museum also highlights the successful campaign to secure their return and pardons, along with the challenges they faced upon their return, including opposition from other landlords and clergy, which ultimately led most to emigrate with their families to Canada.

This museum is highly recommended. Entry is free, with a suggested donation of £2. Having worked as a housing officer in Tower Hamlets, where tower blocks were named after the martyrs, I found this visit particularly meaningful. The site has a number of high standard agriculture workers private homes attached which were built by unions in the 1930s. 

Although I have yet to attend the annual Festival in July John's Labour blog: Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival 2025 line-up poster!, the museum also provided additional information about time the Martyrs spent farming in Essex a topic I have previously written about. John's Labour blog: Greensted Essex Walk - start at "oldest Wooden Church in the World" (& Tolpuddle Martyrs connection)

Newham Rough Sleeper Count May 2025

 

Last night I joined the team going out from Newham Dockside Building to start the bi monthly count from midnight util 3am of rough sleepers in Newham, East London. 

The team is made up of Council officers, stakeholders and local Councillors. We were fully briefed beforehand on the how and why, what to do if we come across someone very vulnerable and personal safety. 

We were split up into groups of 2 or 3 with maps and sent all over Newham, where it was believed from recent reports, people may be sleeping rough. If they were asleep we were told to just count them but if they were awake and willing to engage, we should take some details of their circumstances and they would be visited by the early morning shift of outreach workers to see what help and support could be offered. 

I went again with Council officer Aidan, to cover two patches of Newham. I was pleased that despite it being a warm night, for the first time in a long time, we did not find anyone sleeping rough sleeping. 

But I am very sure that other groups did find people sleeping rough elsewhere in the borough. 

Thanks to Paul (white tee shirt) and his officers for organising this so well. Ajitha, the recently retired former Council manager of this team must be so proud. 

Breakfast at Pellicci

 

Had yet another great breakfast recently at E Pellicci in Bethnal Green with Monty Matty (former Tower Hamlets UNISON caretaker steward).

Believe it or not, since I am cutting down on carbs, and swopped the toast and hash browns for extra Sausage and bacon - this is diet food! (somewhat). 

There was some American tourists next to us who had been recommended to eat here by their taxi driver. They were talking to a young local man who was a boxer with 7 straight victories and had recently been training in Vegas. 

Check out its history Our Story : Pellicci's

UNISON Members - Get help with School uniforms online application starts today (Wednesday 28 May 2025) at 12 Noon!

 

I first posted this earlier this month and hope that low paid members with school age children will apply. Online applications are not great for many UNISON members but I hope this being half term in many areas they will notice this and apply.

"UNISON’s charity, There for You, is offering help for members on a low income with a one-off, non-repayable grant of £75 per school-aged child which will be paid in the form of a voucher. We want to make this limited fund go as far as possible and help as many members as we can. Please only apply if you are in financial difficulty.

Applications will be made online and a link to apply will be added to this webpage when the grant is live".

The grant will be open for 24 hours from 12 noon on 28 May 2025 and close at 12 noon on 29 May 2025.

School Uniform Grant | There for You (UNISON Welfare) | UNISON National

Newham Council AGM 2025

Last Thursday evening was the Newham Council AGM, which was held this year in the new Shipman Youth Zone.

In this picture taken at the end of the meeting I am with the Chair of Council (our civic major), Cllr Dr Rohit Das Gupta, our local MPs James Asser and Uma Kumaran and the Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz together with some of the officers of Newham Labour Group. I am now its chair (again!). 

The John Smith Memorial Lecture: Gordon Brown - The future of public life

 

Last Wednesday, after a long day at a UNISON NEC meeting, I was lucky to get a ticket to a packed lecture by former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown. It was held in Cadogan Hall in West London. 

Gordon was introduced by former Labour Leader Neil Kinnock who was on form. Gordon came on the stage and just stood in the front and without notes gave a comprehensive and compelling analysis of the big political and social issues facing the world. Interweaved with personal remanences, historical contest and at times, great humour. A "tour de force". 

Check out this report on the lecture "WE NEED TO REBUILD THE PUBLIC SQUARE": GORDON BROWN DELIVERS INAUGURAL JOHN SMITH MEMORIAL LECTURE - John Smith Centre

Thank you to branches and supporters of UNISON NEC "Members Together" Candidates. Results out 11 June

 

UNISON NEC elections (the elected "Parliament" of UNISON members) closed 5pm on Wednesday (21 May). The Scrutineer and Returning Officer (Civica Election Services) for this election will now investigate any complaints and will then announce the results on 11 June.

Denise (my fellow candidate for the two National Community seats) and I thank all our supporters, those who have voted for us and also the other #Membertogether candidates.

Win or loss, the fight to build the union and defend members continues!

It's Vote o' clock! Last chance to vote in UNISON NEC elections: Postal (ONLY) Ballot closes this Wednesday 5pm

 

The UNISON NEC elections close at 5pm Wednesday 21st May THIS week. It is a postal only ballot and if you have not voted yet, it is probably best to send today to make sure it gets to returning officer in time - it is SAE but maybe put on a 1st class stamp if you can, to make sure. 

I am standing with Denise for the 2x Community seats (if you are UNISON members and work in a charity or Housing association). I am recommending Eddie, Clara, Sonya and Abiola as your London reps. All UNISON members will be able to vote for other national seats as well (except for the Young Members seats which are for ...Young members only). 

Please vote and if you are a UNISON member in another UNISON Region or Service (work) Group then please check the Members Together web site for recommendations. 

We must unite our union and work with our General Secretary, Christina McAnea to win for members. Full stop. 

Hat tip top to Lady Lola!