Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Parliamentary Reception for West Ham UNISON "Labour Link" members



Below is a copy of a letter that UNISON London Regional office has sent out to all “Labour Link” members in West Ham CLP inviting them to a reception at the House of Commons. Local Labour Party MP Lyn Brown PPS to Phil Woolas, Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (and long standing UNISON Member) will act as host (seen with Construction Union UCATT London & SE regional secretary Jerry Swain.

UNISON Labour Link use to be known as the UNISON "affiliated political fund". Unlike many trade unions, UNISON has two separate political funds. One for the Labour Party and the other for "general" political activities. Such as campaigning against privatisation. Members can choose which fund (or none) they can pay into. All eligible (800,000?) Labour Link payers will have a vote by secret ballot on the future Labour Party Leader (Prime Minister) and Deputy Leader.

This is the sort of event that Trade union liaison officers should be trying to organise with their local Labour Party MP’s (or candidates). This is not just a London thing. There are lots of similar events all over the country. I will let people know how it went.

Dear Friend,

PARLIAMENTARY RECEPTION FOR UNISON MEMBERS 7.30pm-9.30PM, THURSDAY 26 APRIL 2007

I would like to invite you and a guest to a reception that I am holding to thank trade union members for all they have done to make Newham a better place. It is also to mark the very hard work of trade unions towards improving the lives of my constituents on a whole range of issues, like Pensions, Equal Pay, the NHS, and so many other things. We have seen fantastic successes like the introduction of Britain’s first ever National Minimum Wage, unprecedented investment in our public services, and new laws to ensure trade unions are fully recognised by employers. We have achieved so much together over the past ten years but, of course, there is still work to be done.

I would be delighted to have a chance to discuss with you how we can continue to make a difference in East London, and, in particular, my ongoing campaigns:-

- to establish a Living Wage for London,
- ensuring that the 2012 Olympic Games bring real and lasting benefits to local residents,
- tackling Newham’s classification by central government as an outer London Borough, which costs our inner-city Borough over £60 Million in government funding.

The Reception will be held in the Jubilee Room, off Westminster Hall, at the Houses of Parliament.

Light refreshments will be provided and you are invited to go on a short tour of the Palace of Westminster following the meeting.

I would be most grateful if you could complete and return the enclosed reply form to let me know if you would like to attend by Tuesday 17th April.

I hope to see you on the 26th.

With all good wishes

Lyn Brown
Member of Parliament for West Ham

No comments: