Wednesday, March 31, 2021

UNISON and Labour Unions phone bank with David Lammy MP

 Picture collage from last night's "dialogue" phone bank organised by Labour Unions and Greater London UNISON Labour Link. 

David Lammy MP gave us a quick briefing beforehand on how important it is that we have a Labour Mayor & Assembly in London to protect Londoners against some of the excesses of Tory Government misrule. 

He spoke very movingly about why he is such a passionate UNISON member mainly because of the support the union gave to his Mum when she had serious employment issues. 

David also made a valid point that while many of us (Labour Party activists) prefer to campaign by knocking on doors rather than ringing people, you probably end up speaking to more people by phone than "on the knocker". 

I could only spend 45 minutes last night on the actual phone bank but did manage to gain 7 contacts which is probably more than I would have gathered if I had been knocking on doors. 

(I am pleased that I now have "Sadiq Khan for Mayor" leaflets which I will be delivering over the bank holiday weekend)  

Monday, March 29, 2021

Shrewsbury Pickets, Political Policing and the State


Fantastic news last week when the "Shrewsbury 24" (including Royle family actor Ricky Tomlinson) was cleared at the Court of Appeal. I have a clash on Wednesday but hope to join this event. 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shrewsbury-pickets-political-policing-and-the-state-tickets-147119766181

"Online meeting to celebrate and learn from the significant victory of the 'Shrewsbury 24' in quashing their almost 50-year-old convictions.

About this Event

On Tuesday 23rd March 2021 the Court of Appeal made the following judgement in the case of our clients Ricky Tomlinson, Arthur Murray and the ‘Shrewsbury 24.’

“It follows that under Ground 1, the convictions of all the appellants are unsafe.

Their appeals are allowed and all the verdicts in relation to them are quashed.” (pt.99)

The convictions of the ‘Shrewsbury 24’ have been quashed. They are unsafe, and they walk from this court – as they have always been - innocent men.

We say they are victims of police corruption, of a political trial, and of a Conservative Government – who at the time were looking to take revenge against the trade union movement.

Join us online on Wednesday 31 March at 6.30pm to analyse and discuss the historical lessons to learn from this courageous struggle.

Speakers:

Ricky Tomlinson (Shrewsbury Picket and jailed Trade Unionist)

John McDonnell (Labour MP)

Dave Smith (Blacklist Support Group)

Piers Marquis and Annabel Timan (Doughty Street Chambers barristers)

Sunday, March 28, 2021

UNISON NEC Election 2021: Your Community team standing for re-election

 

Both Denise and I have been nominated and accepted by the returning officer to stand again in the UNISON National Council Elections (NEC). 

The UNISON NEC is hugely important in our union and acts as the decision making "Parliament" of UNISON outside our annual National Conference meetings. 

We are standing for the Community NEC seats (representing UNISON members who work for Voluntary organisations and Housing Associations). 

Denise is re-standing for the Community Female Seat, she works for a Charity in Wales.  I am re-standing for the Community General Seat and work for a Housing Association in London. 

Postal ballot papers for all NEC positions will be sent to members home addresses from 4 May 2021 and the election ends on 27 May 2021. The results will be announced on 11 June 2021.





Saturday, March 27, 2021

Weekly Politics Show: Newham Voting For Change Campaign with Cllr John Gray...


It was great to be interviewed yesterday evening on Relaks TV by Tower Hamlets Cllr Puru Miah (Labour Party) and Cllr Andrew Woods (Independent member of Conservative Group) on the referendum campaign for the Committee model in Newham on May 6. 

The interview lasts about 25 minutes and I hope people will find it interesting but while I was invited because of my involvement in Newham Voting For Change, this interview reflects my views and not everyone associated with the campaign. 

My basic argument was if you want change in Newham then vote for the Committee model in the referendum on May 6. If you are happy with the status quo and don't want change then vote to retain the Executive Mayor model. 

You can see more developed arguments for the committee model at our website https://newhamforchange.org/ or check our our twitter account https://twitter.com/ForNewham or our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/newhamvotingforchange

You can also donate to our crowdfunding page https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/newham-for-change


Friday, March 26, 2021

THANK YOU BIN CREWS: COVID-19 Community Heroes

 

Love it. Sent to me by a former Newham Council worker, who now lives in a part of Norfolk I know well since there are a number of UNISON members I represent who work there. 

Lets properly honour all our COVID-19 Community Heroes by giving them a decent pay rise. 

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Greater London UNISON Housing Association Branch 2021

 

I was really pleased that tonight's virtual AGM went so well. We had over 60 people attending which is far more than we have had in the past attending physical AGMS. Our AGM last year was cancelled at the last moment due to the first Covid lockdown. In 2019 our AGM was held in the House of Commons! 

Many thanks to our excellent keynote speaker, Sem Moema, a UNISON member who has worked in Housing Associations for many years and is now the Labour candidate in the London GLA elections in May for Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest. 

As the branch Labour Link officer (I was pleased to be elected unopposed at the AGM) I gave a report encouraging members to get active in the London Mayoral & GLA election by taking part in phone banks or delivering leaflets. I will be circulating Labour Unions events on branch social media. But also we want more of our  branch members to become more active in the Labour Party bringing our trade union values into the Party by becoming Councillors or delegates. 

I asked our branch activist Omolola Oyewusi to say a few words about her campaign to become the first ever black Police Crime Commissioner in May. Omolola is standing in Kent and would welcome any funding or assistance. 

The AGM also had reports from the Chair, Treasurer, Communications officer, branch case workers, regional organisers and then discussed nominations to vacant committee posts. I moved a rule change motion on organising UNISON committee structures in all our large employers which was passed. 

It was really nice to see the positive comments in the "chat box" from members who had never attended a union meeting beforehand but thanked our staff, regional organisers and local reps for all their help and support during these recent dreadful times. 

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

UK average house prices / Average yearly salary

While I cannot find the exact ONS link on this "Politics for All" tweet it seems about right. The complete and utter unaffordability of housing in the UK is just a national disgrace and a betrayal of our young people.

How on earth can they pay around 10 times their annual income to buy a home? I just despair at what the London ratio must be.

1960: £2200 / £500 
1970: £4300 / £850 
1980: £22,000 / £4000 
1990: £60,000 / £9000 
2000: £78,000 / £15,600 
2010: £162,000 / £21,000 
2020: £230,000 / £28,500 
Today: £250,000 / £29,800 

Via @ONS

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Labour Unions: NHS Fair Pay Rally & Phone Bank

This evening there was a really positive Labour Unions NHS Fair Pay rally with speakers Paula Barker MP, Chair; Cllr Linda Hobson, Unison Rep & Nurse; Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe, Unite National Officer for Health; Holly Turner, GMB Rep & Nurse and Jo Stevens MP.

Totally agree with my UNISON comrade, NHS nurse & fellow Councillor @LindaAHobson

"NHS staff are wheeled out by the Govt for photo opps but when it comes to pay we're just insulted.  
That's why we have to hit the phones and win votes for Labour on May 6"

Th erally was followed by a 60 minute Labour phone bank for Labour local elections using the dialogue software.  

I made 31 calls, had 47 call outcomes (whatever that means) and 10 voter surveys completed. 

Many thanks to Joe Cox from Labour Unions and Gail McDude from the Labour Party for organising this rally and phone bank. 

Monday, March 22, 2021

"May 6th: A day to shape Newham's future"

Check out this article by Newham Councillor and Chair of Scrutiny, John Whitworth, on why residents should vote for change in the Mayoral referendum on May 6th. Hat tip Newham Voices

"May 6th is the date, not only for the election of the London Mayor and Greater London Assembly Member, but also for the important Newham Governance Referendum. This comes 20 years after this borough voted to have one of the country’s first Directly-Elected Mayors in a referendum which was perhaps not widely nor fully understood. Newham was one of only 11 authorities which voted to adopt the Mayor model and there are currently just 15, with many more referendums proposing a Mayor being lost than won. Since 2002, the voters of Stoke-on-Trent, Hartlepool and Torbay have opted to abandon the Mayor model they had previously adopted, two for the Leader and Cabinet and one for the Committee model.

Sir Robin Wales, elected Mayor of Newham in 2002, remained in office until he was defeated by Cllr Rokhsana Fiaz in the selection for the Labour Party’s Mayoral candidate in 2018. Of those who believed this model would work better with Cllr Fiaz in the post, many also felt that the DEM model was in any case flawed. She expressed the view that this model had not worked well for Newham and pledged, if elected, to hold a referendum on its future by May 2021.

How the full powers of the Mayor are used depends greatly on the incumbent’s character but, according to the Local Government Act 2000, the Mayor – elected separately from the councillors and therefore of higher status - appoints and dismisses Cabinet members. Stemming from this authority, the Mayor is able to ensure the Cabinet’s assent and exercise considerable influence over the councillors belonging to the dominant party.

In contrast, under the Committee model the Council delegates decision-making powers to committees corresponding to Council directorates, such as Adults & Health and Inclusive Economy & Housing. Full Council elects the chairs of these committees and the Council Leader, and has direct responsibility for the overall policy framework and the budget.

The campaign group, Newham Voting for Change, believes that the Committee system is more democratic, equal and inclusive than the DEM system because all councillors participate in making policy. Working in committees encourages co-operation rather than division, talent is nurtured and expertise developed more productively, and all councillors are more accessible and accountable for the Council’s actions.

 Residents will hopefully participate in the referendum in large numbers to play a role in shaping Newham’s future".

Check out 

https://newhamforchange.org/

@ForNewham

https://www.facebook.com/newhamvotingforchange

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/newham-for-change

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Just completed my 2021 census return

 It took me about 15 minutes online https://census.gov.uk/ - you should have got a letter with a reference code. 

As someone interested in local history then census information is really important for future historians. No one will be allowed to see personal information for at least 100 years.

However, it is also important that everyone completes the census to try and make sure that areas such as Newham get future Government funding according to its actual social and economic need. 

It is of course also the law of the land to complete but please do the right thing and fill it out. 

Census officers will visit and knock on the doors (repeatability) of all dwellings who have not completed. 

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Vote John Gray UNISON NEC Community

Yesterday I received notification that I have been accepted as an "eligible candidate" for the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC) elections 2021-2023. I will be thanking all the branches that have nominated me. 

I am standing for re-election as the "Community General Seat" holder together with Denise Thomas who is also restanding for the "Community Female seat". 

Community is the part of UNISON that represents Housing Associations and Charities. We have 82000 members and is the fastest growing part of UNISON. 

The ballot opens on 4 May 2021 and runs until 27 May 2021. The results will be announced on 11 June 2021.


 

Friday, March 19, 2021

Fire Brigade & West Ham Councillors remember Blitz heroes


This afternoon I met Newham Fire Brigade Commander, Terry Gooding, at the plaque outside 163 Plaistow Road, West Ham Ward, Newham, London, E15 3ET to remember the 6 firefighters who were killed near this spot by enemy bombing 80 years ago.

5 of the 6 firefighters had come to help save London from Beckenham in Kent. By coincidence, in Commander Gooding's previous posting, Beckenham had been one of the fire stations he was responsible for.

My fellow West Ham Ward Colleagues, Cllr Charlene McLean and Cllr John Whitworth also came (separately) to show their respects for the fallen.

It is difficult for us to imagine the sheer awfulness of that night. Firefighting is difficult and dangerous at the best of times but the heroism of these men to tackle fires and try to save lives in the midst of a mass air attack is incredible.

We must never forget and in future years (post covid) I hope we can involve the local community more in remembering and honouring the fallen.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

"Uber treating their drivers as workers must set a precedent for the rest of the gig economy" TUC Frances O'Grady

Hat tip I "Late on Tuesday, Uber announced that it would pay the national minimum wage, pensions and holiday pay to drivers.

Now Uber drivers and trade unions are celebrating. A long legal battle and patient organising has paid off. Not only has Uber lost in the Supreme Court, they been forced to respect their workers’ basic rights.

Uber’s PR machine has gamely sought to present these changes as a generous offer to their drivers. The reality is that they were forced into conceding fair terms and conditions by years of trade union campaigning.

For years Uber has claimed it is just a technology business, rather than a minicab operator. It argued that its drivers were self-employed, and so had no employment rights. The courts disagreed – and Uber has been forced to act to give workers the rights they should have had from the outset.

Workers and their unions will scrutinise the small print on Uber’s new offer. It’s already clear that there are significant gaps.

A key problem is about working time: the Supreme Court decided that a driver should be paid for the whole time they are logged into the Uber app and thus available for bookings. But Uber’s changes mean that they will only be paid once they have accepted a booking. We do not believe that Uber should be able to do this.

Uber’s abrupt U-turn is just the latest stage in the battle to ensure that all work – including in the gig economy – is decent work.

Boris Johnson has promised to “protect and enhance” employment rights. He announced an employment bill to do exactly that, in the 2019 Queen’s speech. The proposed legislation has yet to appear.

Meanwhile, the courts keep finding that all workers have rights. But court battles are costly, inefficient and time-consuming. Workers shouldn’t have to go to court to secure their basic legal entitlements.

So the Government should get on with fixing enforcement so that employers know that if they break the law they will be caught. They should legislate for the presumption that every worker has workers’ rights and worker status. Then the onus is on the company to prove they don’t.

And they should give employment tribunals the power to make binding wider recommendations. That will mean that companies, having lost in court, have to implement all of the judges’ findings, and can’t cherry pick. And other similar employers would have to follow the judgement too.

Uber’s court defeat should serve as a reminder: it is not up to employers to decide when protection applies to those who work for them. All workers have rights. And there is no trade-off between rights and flexibility. Just because an individual worker can choose when and if to work, they don’t lose their employment rights.

Gig economy operators often pose as shiny innovative tech firms. But in reality, it’s the same old story. The drivers and couriers idling unpaid, waiting for a booking, are today’s day labourers, assembling at the gates of the factory or dockyard hoping that there may be some work today.

So our message today to Uber, and to all the other gig economy firms that say their workers are self-employed: we are watching and it is our opinion that your employment models are outside the law.

Recognise your workers’ unions, get round the table with us, and come to a deal that protects workers’ rights in your company or we could keep taking you to court. With every victory, the number of union members in your companies grows. One day soon, you will have to sit down and negotiate with your workers’ unions.

You may be start-ups from the last decade. But we have fought for workers’ rights for a century and a half. Unions are not going anywhere. Treat your workers fairly.

Frances O’Grady is General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Mayor Sadiq Khan speaks to London UNISON Labour Link


It was great to have this supportive video from Sadiq at our Greater London Labour Link regional forum today. 

Many thanks to all our speakers including Labour GLA report by Assembly member Len Duvall; National Labour Link by Julian Cooke and TULO/Labour Unions by Joe Cox. 

Thank also to our vice chair, Yvonne Green, for chairing the meeting during motions (where I moved my branch motion on the NHS Pay and also spoke against the motion on open selections). 

We also agreed to support our Committee member, Lola Oyewusi, who is standing as the Labour Candidate to be the next Kent Police and Crime Commissioner on May 6. 

Monday, March 15, 2021

TUC Pension conference 2021: Day 1 Minister Guy Opperman MP & panel discussion on Just Transition

 

I joined the start of the virtual conference today.  It was interesting to hear pension minister, Guy Opperman MP speak positively about defined benefit pension schemes. I wanted to ask him why then does the regulator appear to want to treat all open defined benefit schemes as if they were closed (to new members or future accrual) but he was not able to stay for questions. Next time. 

If you haven't already, I believe that you can still register for the next 3 events listed below

"THE FULL PROGRAMME AND SIGN UP CAN BE FOUND HERE: HTTPS://WWW.EVENTBRITE.CO.UK/E/TUC-PENSIONS-CONFERENCE-FAIR-PENSIONS-FOR-ALL-TICKETS-141667161293

Day 2: Tuesday 16th March, 13:00-14:00

Fixing the holes in auto-enrolment

Auto enrolment has brought millions of people into workplace pensions. But millions more are still excluded, and too many of those who are auto-enrolled are not building up enough pension to maintain living standards in retirement. This session will explore who's falling through the gaps, what impact Covid-19 has had, and how we can make sure auto-enrolment delivers decent pensions for all.

- Josephine Cumbo, global pensions correspondent, Financial Times

Chris Curry, director, Pensions Policy Institute

Joe Anderton, pension officer, Prospect

Cara Pacitti, economist, Resolution Foundation


Day 3 Wednesday 17th March 13:00-14:00

Making a success of collective DC

Thanks to the hard work of the Communication Workers Union, the Royal Mail is preparing to introduce the UK's first collective defined contribution pension scheme. By pooling investments and sharing risk, these arrangements can deliver more generous and stable retirement incomes than individual DC. So how can more employers be encouraged to offer CDC, and what can we learn from Canada, where unions have been involved in running this kind of scheme for decades?

Terry Pullinger, deputy general secretary (postal) CWU

Chris Roberts, director of social and economic policy, Canadian Labour Congress

Shriti Jadav, director, Willis Towers Watson


Day 4: Rethinking the role of the state pension

The UK provides a significantly lower state pension than most comparable countries, and relies more heavily on occupational pensions to provide retirement incomes for its citizens. Our system is deeply ingrained and has its merits, but is it time to rethink this balance? Would a bigger role for the state pension reduce pensioner poverty and inequality?

Panel debate

- Dr Bernhard Ebbinghaus, professor of social policy, University of Oxford

Nathalie Diesbecq, ACV-CSC (Christian Federation of Trade Unions, Belgium)

Closing keynote

- Jonathan Reynolds, shadow secretary of state for work and pensions

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Just had my 1st Covid vaccine: AstraZeneca


 This evening I had my first jab in Westfields Stratford. It went very smoothly. There was no queue outside and despite being a little early I was allowed straight in. The security at the door gave me a new face mask and showed me how to access the hand cleansing dispenser. He asked me whether I felt at all unwell and tested my temperature with a hand held scanner to my forehead. 

I then went to a receptionist who took my reference number and again asked questions about whether I felt unwell or not. Then I was led into a waiting area for 5-10 minutes. The vaccine centre itself was very large with high ceilings and I felt safe because there was plenty of room for social distancing. 

Next I was escorted to a bay with 3 staff who, again, asked me questions about my health and am I on any medication to thin my blood or any known allergies to injections. They had to check that my taking part in a monthly national survey for the ONS (monthly blood and swab tests to see if I have or ever had Covid) was a problem. The doctor in charge came to speak to me and agreed it was not. 

I then had the injection (AstraZeneca) which was completely painless and I didn't need a plaster. The whole process took about 20 minutes and so far (3 hours since) there has been no side effects. 

Many thanks to all the staff for treating me in such a professional and respectful manner. 

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Newham Voting for Change - fund raising crowdsource page

 

"

We’re raising funds to make a campaign video – click here to donate.

On 6 May 2021 Newham Council will hold a referendum on how the Council should be run. Every Newham voter will get a vote on whether the Council should be run by a Directly Elected Mayor (the system we have now) or by a system of committees made up of elected councillors.

See full details of the referendum published on Newham Council’s website.

We are campaigning for a change to a Committee structure in the council.

This means the council will be run by committees made up of elected councillors – usually a committee for each of the different areas, like Housing, Education, Social services, Health, Planning and Crime.

The committee system is:

OPEN – there is more opportunity for citizens, experts and communities to have their say and influence decisions

REPRESENTATIVE – all council members have input into decisions, not just the Mayor and Cabinet

CO-OPERATIVE – councillors have to work together to make decisions

ACCOUNTABLE – every councillor takes a role in making policy and seeing decisions enacted

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/newham-for-change

Find out more about the campaign at https://newhamforchange.org/ or on Twitter https://twitter.com/ForNewham and https://www.facebook.com/newhamvotingforchange



Friday, March 12, 2021

Back to the office?

Yesterday, I went back to my branch UNISON office in Holloway Road, North London to pick up mail and some recruitment materials that I had left there pre-Covid. Since I was carrying back some bulky items I drove there and experienced the joy of the commute (NOT). 

We rent the office inside a normally well used and busy resource centre. It was strange to see the centre and the office so quiet and still. 

By coincidence pre-Covid the branch executive was discussing whether we needed to have a permanent office in a fixed location. 

Now, like many organisations we need to think afresh about whether there should be different ways of working. A possible blend of office and home working?  

While home working has worked very well for some it has been pretty dreadful for others. If you live in a bedsit/HMO or if you are trying to home school kids and work from a over crowded flat you will have a very different perspective. 

Lets see what happens.  I don't think there is any need for organisations to rush into any long term decisions. It is too early to say that the end of the office is nigh. 

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Slow clapping the Gov over #NHSPayRise - UNISON the Public Service Union


"A pay rise of just 1% is an insult to every nurse, healthcare assistant, porter, paramedic, administrator, domestic and other health worker who has kept the NHS running during the Covid pandemic.


We need the public to show their support for NHS staff. By giving the government a slow hand clap, we can show Boris Johnson exactly what we think of his pitiful pay rise.


Spread the word and ask people you know to step outside this Thursday 11th March at 8pm and slow clap the government."

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

NHS Fair Pay Virtual Rally & 2021 Elections Phone Bank – 6:30PM Tuesday, March 23 (& support UNISON "Slow clap at 8pm" Thursday March 11)

 

This evening we had a well attended West Ham Labour virtual "election" meeting with guest speakers Karen Buck MP and our Assembly member, Unmesh Desai and our MP, Lyn Brown. Karen gave her support for tomorrow's "Slow Clap at 8pm" event organised by UNISON in protest at the 1% pay insult to NHS staff https://action.unison.org.uk/page/77234/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=activist

We agreed to organise and train our activists to carry out multiple phone banking sessions until it is safe to carry out more traditional campaigning such as door knocking. 

I have also signed up also to the "NHS Fair Pay Virtual Rally & 2021 Elections Phone Bank – 6:30PM Tuesday, March 23" organised by Labour Unions. 

"Registration link: https://labourunions.org.uk/events/nhs-pay-rally-2021-elections-phone-bank/

Facebook link: https://fb.me/e/1aWJPL0Hd

Twitter: https://twitter.com/labourunionsuk/status/1369250974968209416?s=20

 NHS Fair Pay Virtual Rally & 2021 Elections Phone Bank – 6:30PM Tuesday, March 23

The Tory government are offering our NHS heroes a pitiful 1% pay rise and the whole of the Labour movement is fighting back. At this event you'll hear from trade union speakers and frontline workers about why NHS staff deserve a proper pay rise and how we can fight for it together.

As well as winning in the workplace we need to win at the ballot box, and in May this year the UK is facing a massive set of elections. That's why we'll follow these speeches with an online Labour phone bank where we'll be speaking to voters using the Labour Party's excellent tool - Dialogue.

All Labour Party members are warmly invited to this event, especially if this is your first time phone banking. They'll be a full briefing and we'll be on hand to answer any questions that you have. You’ll need to be a Labour Party member with an active Labour log in to take part and have access to a tablet/computer with an internet connection. Full Zoom details and further instructions will be emailed to you ahead of the session.

Email campaigns@labourunions.org.uk if you have any further questions or would like any assistance"


Tuesday, March 09, 2021

80th anniversary of the deaths of Beckenham Firefighters in West Ham Blitz Bombing

On the 19 March 2021 it is the 80th anniversary of the destruction of a fire engine and its crew due to Nazi bombing in West Ham ward, which I represent as a Councillor. 5 our of the 6 firefighters killed came from Beckenham to help defend London from attack.

There is a plaque on the side wall of what is now the Plaistow café, 163 Plaistow Road, Newham London, E15 3ET.

I brought this anniversary up at a recent meeting in West Ham and it was agreed that we must mark this occasion in some Covid safe way.  I will contact the Borough Fire Brigade commander. 

By coincidence a few years ago I was walking in Kent and came across a memorial to these same firefighters in rural Beckenham.




 

Monday, March 08, 2021

Newham for Change meeting: Reminder Tuesday 9 March 7pm

 

Please join us for a public online meeting on Zoom about the campaign on Tuesday 9 March from 7-8pm. All welcome – we will be discussing the campaign and the advantages of the committee structure. Register here!

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsf-yvqzouHNFDr9hJehMBBFRqIHzSEuO1

Website https://newhamforchange.org/


Twitter @ForNewham


Facebook https://www.facebook.com/newhamvotingforchange/

Diwrnod Rhyngwladol Menywod! International Women's Day


Christina McAnea: UNISON’s new general secretary


"Think of the working-class "women of Glasgow leading rent strikes in 1915. The machinists at Ford, downing tools to get what they deserved in the 1960s. And the Greenham Common peace protesters of the 1980s or the care workers taking to the streets to demand equal pay in 2018.

Every International Women’s Day, all of us – women and men together – celebrate women’s history and recognise our global struggles. And we commit to keep working together to win.

International Women’s Day this year is Monday 8 March and the theme around the world is #ChooseToChallenge, and that’s exactly what one million working women do every day through UNISON.

Together, we take our place at the table, challenge the status quo and secure change that improves all of our lives.

Right now, UNISON is fighting for a legal right to 10 days of paid carer’s leave from day one of the job, together with the right to request flexible working from day one, together with a decent system of affordable and accessible childcare that helps women stay in work.

Why? Because it’s right and necessary. And, aside from an already yawning gender pay gap and over-representation among low-paid workers, women have been paying the price of this pandemic.

Women are on the frontline keeping us safe through COVID – three quarters of our NHS is staffed by women, and we make up the overwhelming majority of care workers. Not to mention the thousands of other roles that keep our country running.

Women in all jobs have ended up juggling work and caring responsibilities, expected to do more than ever with the same number of hours in the day. And all for lower pay.

Official figures from the first lockdown show women were more likely to be furloughed, and therefore taking a 20% pay cut; more likely to take on the lion’s share of childcare and homeschooling, and less likely to spend time on paid work than men.

And of course, the pre-pandemic picture was no prettier, with inflexible work that saw women disproportionately cut their hours, take unpaid leave to cover childcare and elder care and watch their progression falter.

It doesn’t have to be like this. Stronger employment rights, greater flexibility and a decent childcare system would help us all better balance our lives, whatever the circumstances. And change is imperative if we want to kickstart our economy after this crisis.

Women have done incredible things for a really, really long time, but we’re not martyrs – we’re fighting for change.

Let’s #ChooseToChallenge the burdens that fall so excessively on working women – and all of us carry on working together in UNISON for a better system for everyone".