London UNISON AGM - Angela Rayner MP; Nordic model, Ukraine Ambulance aid, General Secretary Christina McAnea & election results (forces of light & reason returned as elected lay Convenor team)

 

This morning we had our first in person Greater London UNISON AGM since 2020. It was marvellous to be meet old friends and comrades (and new people I had only met before on video). While I did not enjoy the travel "experience" on route via the London Central line, I think you cannot beat real human contact and engagement (when safe to do so). 

I was really pleased at the attendance (about 130 delegates I think) since we were worried that people would not travel into central London. 

Our keynote speaker was deputy leader of the Labour Party and former UNISON activist Angela Rayner, who gave a barnstorming speech attacking the Tories and on how much she owed to UNISON and the wider Labour movement, for supporting her from being a 16 year old single mum social  care worker into a union activist then becoming a MP. 

Angela had a fantastic reception from the AGM and she stayed for the following debate on an emergency motion on "Sexism & Misogyny".  There was some brilliant speakers on this motion which was passed unanimously but some breathtakingly hypocritical contributions from hard left extremists, who spoke in favour of the motion, at the same time they support someone sacked from their job for bullying and harassing 14 female UNISON members??? I am so glad that we did not invite anyone from the current UNISON "Presidential" team to speak. 

Our regional secretary, Tracey Dalling, gave her report and answered questions from the floor. She is off at the end of the month to take up her new position as regional secretary for Scotland and will be missed. Our London loss is Scotland's gain. 

I gave my finance convenor report (and the diversity report since the convenor Cynthia was unable to attend). We had a briefing by long standing member, Jackie Lewis on ending the UNISON support for the "Nordic model" for sex workers followed by a motion which was passed. 

There was a fantastic (and at times emotional) report by the secretary of UNION London Ambulance Service, Eddie Brand on their 1200 mile drive to the Polish/Ukraine boarder to deliver 10 ambulances, medical equipment and humanitarian supplies to their fellow trade unionists in Ukraine. I am so proud of this act of solidarity. 

Our final speaker was our general secretary, Christiana McAnea, who told it as it is - why we need to get rid of Boris Johnson, why we need an alternative government and how we can help bring this about by demonstrating at the TUC demo then rally on Saturday June 18. 

The final agenda item was the announcement that Yvonne Green had been re-elected as Regional Convenor. Which meant that Yvonne, Conroy, myself, Cynthia and Clara were all re-elected as London Regional Council officers for the next year. 

Thank you!

 

My fantastic Labour Councillors for Forest Gate North (Rachel and Sasha) say "thank you" for being elected. Hat tip Rachel here. 

"It's now May the 17th and I feel like I am only now emerging properly from the post-election haze and back into something like normal life again. The last few weeks before an election are always busy with campaigning but this year's campaign was particularly short for various reasons.

Campaigning for an election is surprisingly fun. But it's also very physical work, with lots of walking around, carrying bags of leaflets, and a fair bit of tramping up and down stairs.

So Sasha das Gupta and I were tired but happy by the time it came to the count, the results were announced, and we were re-elected as Labour & Co operative councillors for Forest Gate North.

I'd like to thank everyone who voted for us. Being re-elected is a privilege, and not one that either of us takes for granted. We have knocked on almost every single door in the ward over the past few months and spoken to many people, and we'll keep on doing so during our term of four years. Big thanks also to those local Labour members who helped with campaigning, to our opponents, to the Council officers who worked hard to make the election work, including counting all those votes, and especially to all the residents who offered support and encouragement.

In the meantime, there is plenty to do. The problems with recycling collections seem to have abated for the moment, but the situation with so many missed collections was really not up to scratch at all, and is being taken extremely serious by everyone. Turn out was low across Newham (and elsewhere) and we need to keep on working hard to show how important local government is, and to encourage people to have their voices heard.

It is a smaller ward this time, with part of the old Forest Gate North having been carved off to create the new ward of Maryland. So we are now a two councillor ward, shortly to briefly be a one councillor ward when Sasha takes some time away from the role to adjust to another new role, of being a mother! During this time I'll post online about who is available and when, and will draw on support from colleagues as needed to make sure residents aren't left without representation.

This map shows the new ward and its boundaries. Some of you reading this may see that you were previously part of Forest Gate North but now you are not. If that's the case then it's been a pleasure representing you (and you can naturally carry on reading the blog!).

For those still within the reduced ward, I'll carry on working as hard as I can to promote everything about Forest Gate North that is so brilliant, to improve those things that aren't, and to help those who need it."

Full election results for all the wards are online here:

https://www.newham.gov.uk/council/local-elections-2022

Willis Road Platinum Jubilee Street Party - Sunday 5 June 2-5pm (& West Ham Community Forum 17 May 2022)

I have a prearranged clash on the 5 June which is a shame, since this will be a marvellous event but will be at the community forum tomorrow in person - you can still register https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stratford-and-west-ham-community-assembly-registration-319471216007
 

What's the history of Ukraine's Eurovision entry Kalush Orchestra and song Stefania? - BBC News...

East Ham NUPE Banner - "United we stand - Divided we fall" (any idea where it is now?)

 

Labour movement historian @LondonNurse2015 sent me this marvellous picture of a East Ham branch banner for the "National Union of Public Employees" (a predecessor union of UNISON). 

I have no idea where this banner is now? Anyone know? 

The Art and Ideology of the Trade Union Emblem, 1850–1925

Demand Better - join TUC demo 18 June

18 June 2022

12:00pm–3:00pm

Parliament Square, Westminster, London SW1 3BD

Get directions

On Saturday 18 June, the trade union movement will be taking to the streets to demand action on the cost of living – a new deal for working people, and a pay rise for all workers.

Families across the country are bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living storm. Every worker needs a real pay rise in 2022.

The government needs to act now. Let’s come together on 18 June to speak out.

UNISON members will be marching with thousands of people from all over the UK, followed by rally in Parliament Square. Join us in London!

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REGIONAL FINANCE CONVENOR (Auto Elected) GRAY, John (But VOTE YVONNE GREEN as REGIONAL CONVENOR)

 

I was really pleased to have received notification last week that I had also been elected unopposed as the UNISON Greater London Regional Finance Convenor (and therefore a Regional Council officer). 

Our UNISON regional AGM is on 18 May 2022 10-1pm which is being held in the Holiday Inn in Bloomsbury. 

All UNISON branches in London are entitled to send delegates. While there are important regional committee elections, reports and motions to be debated, our present London Convenor, Yvonne Green (branch secretary of Croydon Local Government branch) is being challenged for re-election. 

Please ensure that your branch registers delegates to re-elect Yvonne Green as our Regional Convenor (and support other sensible and pragmatic candidates). 

Relaxing Weekend next to Dungeness

 

After election day (Thursday), the "count" (Friday) and my Councillor surgery (Saturday morning) Gill and I went off for a last minute weekend break. We had not been to this part of the Kent coast before and did not quite realise how close it was to the Nuclear power stations (see picture) but had a marvellous and relaxing recovery weekend. 

Check out Facebook for more pictures of Dungeness and later walks on the North Downs and Kent Weald. 

West Ham Ward declaration 2022

After a long day yesterday, Charlene, John Whitworth and myself were re-elected as Labour Councillors to Newham Council. 

A huge honour and privilege.  Many thanks to residents for voting for us so overwhelmingly and to ward activists for helping our campaign. The nearest opponent got 558 votes. 

Hat tip video to my new Labour Councillor colleague Thelma Rose & Muzibur Rahman Jashim for videos. 

My first surgery is tomorrow at 10am in Stratford Library

Election results for West Ham Ward

West Ham: Labour win all three seats. John Gray: 1,758 Charlene McLean: 1,626 John Whitworth: 1,458

Vote Labour (and co-operative) May 5

Vote Labour - and when there are joint candidates - Vote Labour and Co-operative (our sister socialist party)