Friday, August 30, 2019

Newham Alternative PEACE Exhibition

‪We’re saying #NO to #DSEI2019 taking place in Newham’s Royal Docks between 10th and 13th September. Come and show solidarity at our free Alternative #PEACE Exhibition for a evening of protest, talks, exhibitions & performances with experts, artists & activists. #justtransition now

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Newham Free School Uniform competition - cute picture alert!


"Hoorum and Diya wearing their new school uniforms. Their families won a full uniform pack by completing their school applications online. 2020 eAdmissions open 1 Sept. #Newham #BackToSchool2019". Hat tip Cllr Julianne Marriott, Cabinet Member for Education


Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Brexit and suspending Parliament: What just happened? (in 100 & 500 words words from BBC)

From yesterday's BBC news which explains everything really well:

"In a dramatic move on Wednesday morning, Britain's new Prime Minister Johnson set in motion the suspension of the UK Parliament - which means MPs have much less time to debate Brexit, the process of the UK leaving the European Union.
Boris 





The story in 100 words

Parliament is to be suspended for five weeks ahead of 31 October, the day the UK is due to leave the EU.
That's just nine weeks away.
People who want the UK to remain in the EU are calling it a coup - and even some in favour of Brexit have criticised the move.
Mr Johnson wants to start a new parliamentary session, with a fresh programme, from 14 October. Instead of a normal three-week autumn recess, parliament will now wrap up some time around 10 September.
With so little time, MPs would find it difficult to stop the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
The story in 500 words

Wait, what just happened?

Parliament always stops work for a few weeks in the autumn. But this isn't a normal recess: Mr Johnson is cutting short the current parliamentary session at a critical time.
The UK was originally scheduled to leave the EU on 29 March. After Parliament rejected the deal negotiated with the EU three times, that deadline was extended. Departure day is now 31 October.
Mr Johnson, who was one of the key figures in the Leave campaign, has promised to complete Brexit "do or die" - with or without a deal.
However, most opposition members of Parliament (MPs) and many from the governing Conservative Party don't want to leave the EU without a deal. They fear it would damage the British economy, putting up prices and limiting access to the UK's biggest market.
They've threatened to bring legislation ruling out a no-deal Brexit. Failing that, they could also call a vote of no-confidence in the government.

Is it legal to suspend Parliament?

Yes. It's what normally happens between the end of one session and the beginning of the next. However, the circumstances are unusual.
A legal challenge would be difficult, since the government isn't breaking any law. It's just using parliamentary procedure, as Mr Johnson tries to fulfil his campaign promise to get the UK out of the EU.
MPs could either go along with the suspension, with the risk of a no-deal Brexit, or they could trigger an election with a vote of no confidence in the government.
The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, has called the suspension a "constitutional outrage" designed to prevent MPs from debating Brexit.

What about the Queen?

She does have a say, but it's limited. Technically, the government had to ask her for permission to suspend Parliament.
This is normally a formality: the Queen keeps out of politics. If she had refused, that would have been unprecedented.
She did not refuse.

What happens next?

Good question.
Parliament will go back to work next Tuesday 3 September, but will then go into recess.
If Mr Johnson gets his way, Parliament returns on 14 October, two-and-a-half weeks before the UK leaves the EU.
However, if MPs pass a vote of no-confidence before 10 September, there could be a general election in October". hat tip BBC

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

The Great British Beach Day Out

Off message somewhat but recently spent a lovely day with family at a rented beach hut in Walton on Naze. My sister-in-law paid £50 on line for the day - 9am-6pm.

Of course, being a British beach experience in August, it was a little windy and even rained a bit (despite a favourable BBC weather forecast).

But it was glorious to sit outside the hut and eat freshly cooked cod/rock fish n chips from Yates washed down with a wally.

Alas, unfortunately the tide was in for most of the day so we could not build the promised sand castles with 3 year old great niece Teagan...but definitely next time.

I went for a bracing stroll along Walton pier. Apparently the 2nd longest pier in the UK. The RNLI have a life boat station at its end.

When we finished for the day, Gill and I walked along the coast from Walton to Frinton (2 miles) and caught the train home to Forest Gate.

I kid you not but there was beach huts, side by side pretty much the entire way. Lots and lots of families and friends enjoying the sea and the beach.

Apparently beach huts in Frinton can cost up to £25,000 to buy. I wouldn't spend that but £50 for 6 adults (and 2 children) was well worth it for a day.

Recently, during a meeting with a Council manager, we talked about future plans for a rebirth of Tenant and Resident Associations in Newham and also organising trips out to the seaside next year for residents and their children.

I really hope we can make this happen. 

Monday, August 26, 2019

Green UNISON Week 16-20 September

We have called for strong action on climate change for many years.

This September, our branches across the UK are organising a week of activities to call for urgent action to tackle climate change.

Green UNISON Week gives UNISON members the chance to show support for the school climate strikers ahead of their campaign to raise awareness and the school climate strike on 20 September.

Anti-trade union laws mean that UNISON branches cannot take strike action but there are many ways you can show your support for the school campaigners:

Five key actions:

Find out if your UNISON branch has an environment rep? If not, encourage your branch and any interested members to get involved and become green reps!

Find out what your employer is doing to reduce their environmental impact. Ask your employer to share this information with UNISON.

Hold a UNISON green event. You could run a lunchtime stall in the canteen, a film show, or a talk. Why not invite a school student climate striker or a speaker from a nearby environmental campaigning organisation to come along?

Run a green survey. Ask your friends and colleagues for ideas on how to ‘green up’ your workplace. Get people involved and offer a prize or raffle.

Run a green workplace training activity. Talk to your UNISON learning rep and look into running a lunchtime activity session for green reps and members who’d like to learn more.

You can find others who share your concerns about climate change and let UNISON Green Week be your springboard into starting a new green UNISON network where you work.


If you have any questions about Green UNISON Week, email policy@unison.co.uk.

Resources

You’ll find lots of tips and suggestions to help you kick-start your climate campaigning in these resources from the TUC:

A handbook for environmental reps (PDF)
Environmental reps learning and activities workbook (PDF)
Negotiating on environmental issues at work (PDF)

We’ll also be adding some materials to download soon, which will include pledge cards and social media graphics".

(UNISON Scotland are also running UNISON Green Day on 20/9/19)

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Hope Not Hate - From Banners to Bullets

A disturbing video from anti fascist “Hope Not Hate” on a new far right threat. Well worth a 10 minute watch on why we have a worse UK problem with these new Nazi than even the rest of Europe

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Newham Council Housing Liaison Team

For the first time in many years Newham Council tenants and leaseholders now have named officers for all our estates and properties in the borough.

This is a brand new team and I have been on a number of "walkabouts" and resident meetings with them. Their enthusiasm and commitment is just fantastic.  More positive news on housing management to follow.

Your Housing Liaison Officer

Contact your Housing Liaison Officer if you have any issues or queries: The team carries out block inspections, conduct tenancy audits, provide regular housing surgeries for residents, resolve general housing queries, and much more


C
ustom House, Canning Town North and Canning Town South 

Michelle Harris 
07813 446 312 

Richard Joseph 
07976 321 251

Stratford, New Town and West Ham 

Bryan Waters 
07970 733 919

Salih Rahman 
07946 454 857

East Ham Central, East Ham South and Wall End 

Cherrylyn Akinyemi 
07583 098 796

Plaistow North and Plaistow South 

Beth Wibrow
07949 636 578

East Ham North, Little Ilford and Manor Park 

Mohammad Khan 
07836 387 183

Boleyn, Green Street East, Green Street West and out of borough 

Rebecca Letchford 
07976 321 252

Forest Gate North and Forest Gate South 

Umar Ahmed 
07947 452 360

Beckton and Royal Docks 

Izabell Morelli 
07976 321 239

Friday, August 23, 2019

Vote Wendy (Yorkshire & Humberside) and Pete (London) for UNISON National Labour Link


Ballot Helpline

If individual members have not received a paper by 13 August 2019 then they should contact the ballot helpline operated by UNISONdirect on the following telephone number: 0800 0 857 857.
Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968.
Members should endeavour to have their membership number to hand when telephoning.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

"Addaction" drug and alcohol staff to strike on Friday (tomorrow)

Solidarity to privatised NHS UNISON members striking tomorrow. 

Addaction is headquartered in London

"Strike action involving 31 staff employed by Addaction is set to go ahead after Acas talks did not reach a resolution to their dispute on Wednesday.

A 100% vote for strike action was prompted by Addaction’s failure to keep its promise to pay staff the NHS rates for the job. Their union UNISON says that the striking workers stand to lose up to £1000 per year.

The staff are support workers within a drug and alcohol service which is commissioned by Wigan Borough Council. They used to be employed directly by the NHS, and Addaction promised staff that they would continue to receive pay rises in line with NHS rates of pay.

Support workers have been left frustrated as the employer has reneged on this pledge, refusing to implement the NHS three year pay deal which came into effect in April 2018.

Addaction has its headquarters in London and provides services all over the country. It has an annual income in excess of £70million.

Paul Almond, a drug and alcohol worker and UNISON rep, said:

“I never expected to have to go on strike, and I don’t think many of my colleagues did either. We have agonised over this question. But the fact that 100% of us voted to take action shows how strongly we all feel about this issue.

“We’re all willing to stick together to secure the pay rise we were promised.”

UNISON North West regional organiser Paddy Cleary said:

“Addaction have given repeated assurances to staff that they would receive the NHS pay deal, but they have gone back on their word.

“This dedicated group of support workers have been out of pocket for 16 months and have been forced to take strike action by an employer that just won’t listen.

“We had hoped that the Acas talks would be successful, but the local and regional managers who attended made no offer to staff and seemed to have no authority to reverse decisions taken nationally. Assurances made by managers to staff in Wigan and Leigh seem to have been ignored and overridden by bosses in London.

“Our members voted 100% in favour of taking strike action. They are willing to do whatever it takes to secure the pay rise they’re owed. I would strongly urge Addaction to reconsider its position and pay up now.”

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Archbishop of Canterbury's "Housing Crisis" Commission visits Newham

This afternoon I met members of the Archbishop of Canterbury Housing Commission at a building site in Newham where the Council is to build new high quality homes at truly affordable rents. Officers and contractors explained what we are doing with the site and answered questions from the Commissioners.

The Commission is investigating the UK housing crisis and how to contribute to the national debate on what should be done to resolve the crisis.

They were interested not only about building new homes, but housing policy regarding right to buy, private sector licensing, planning and community involvement.

Afterwards, Councillor Mohammed and myself went back for a presentation by our policy team and then we had an in depth Q&A with the Commission and Newham housing and planning managers.

I hope the Commissioners found their day in Newham helpful. We invited them back next year to check on what we have delivered.

Many thanks to Stephen Timms MP and his staff for helping to organise this event. 

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

TUC LESE Annual Health & Safety Briefing – Respiratory Health – a Workplace Issue


TUC LESE Annual Health & Safety Briefing – Respiratory Health – a Workplace Issue

Friday 27 September 2019

Congress House, 23-28 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS


·        The central theme for this year is respiratory health, and asbestos past present and future will feature large.

·        This is an event for trade union health and safety reps and trade unionists interested in campaigning on health, safety and well-being issues at work or in the community.

·        Agenda and Guest Speakers to be confirmed  

·        Free event - please register: 020 7467 1218 / jowilliams@tuc.org.uk


Joanne Williams
Administrative Assistant
TUC London, East & South East

020 7467 1218
Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS

Monday, August 19, 2019

Costa Coffee "stealing" money from their staff

Check out this BBC report

Costa Coffee: Employees call £200 deductions for training 'unfair'


This is outrageous and I hope people boycott this @CostaCoffee in Upminister (& any other employer who steals from its workforce). 

This sort of things is what tends to happen in employers who do not recognise trade unions. 

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Park Road Crime & ASB re-inspection 12.8.19

Last week I went on a second walkabout in Park Road, E6 with Residents, Council Officers, Police and local ward Councillor, Nilufa Jahan. Cllr Jahan had persuaded the Police to send a "design out crime" specialist to the block, who had produced an excellent report on ideas to reduce crime and Anti-social behaviour.

Since the last walkabout in November residents, had said that there had been improvements but more needs to be done. I noted that the communal garden maintenance had not been actioned and I have taken this up.

A report has been circulated on problems and possible actions. Our technical officer thinks that we can implement some of the Police design recommendations fairly quickly, which is very positive news. Especially with regard to improving the security of door entry systems.

Ideally we should visit all blocks across the Council with Police design specialists, residents, ward members and technical officers. We do have some money to make improvements.

It may take some time but watch this space. 

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Concerned about someone sleeping rough?

Hat tip Newham Council "If you are concerned about someone who is rough sleeping and medical attention is not immediately required, you can make a referral to StreetLink through their website or call 0300 500 0914 which is charged at normal call rate.  

You will need to provide:
  • ​a specific location of the rough sleeper to enable our outreach team to find them
  • the time the rough sleeper has been seen at the location
  • any information that will help identify them (gender, approximate age, what the person looks like, what they are wearing etc.).
Once your referral is received by StreetLink, they will alert Newham’s outreach team who will seek to find the rough sleeper and connect them to support services within 24hours. You will receive details of the action we have taken as a result of your alert within 10 working days if you have requested it." 

If the person needs urgent medical attention or you believe they are under 18 years of age please call 999.