Friday, April 30, 2021

We're voting for change - Letter in Newham Recorder


An excellent letter in the Newham Recorder by former Councillor John Saunders who served under the Committee and Executive Mayor Council and now supports Newham Voting for Change:

Under the committee system, the council leader would have to reflect the views of the whole council and be governed by the decisions of the committees – and every councillor would be a member of a committee.

This means that residents would have two or three local ward councillors who have real influence in the council and would therefore be able to represent their views and interests more effectively.

Directly elected mayors do not give their residents a greater voice, the committee system does.

HTTPS://WWW.NEWHAMRECORDER.CO.UK/NEWS/THANKS-MAYORAL-REFERENDUM-CANCER-CHAMPIONS-AND-MATHS-FUN-7911256

And they call them heroes: Key workers (please share)


After everything our key workers have been through, they deserve more from this government. Vote for fair pay in the May elections https://unison.org.uk/nobacktonormal

Thursday, April 29, 2021

West Ham Leaflet & East Ham Canvass for Team Labour: Sadiq, Unmesh, Elly, Bob & Farah

Yesterday was a big day for me. I went (Covid safe)  leafleting and door knocking for the first time in over a year. I have really missed such contact with residents. 

After the Workers Memorial Day event during the day, in the evening I went with our MP, Lyn Brown to join Labour Party activists in West Ham ward to leaflet with  our City and East GLA Assembly Candidate Unmesh Desai. 

Then Lyn and I joined a canvass team to support the Labour Candidate, Farah Nazeer, who is standing in the East Ham Central by-election also taking place on May 6 . Farah is a fantastic candidate and if elected will make a brilliant councillor. 

Farah was joined by Labour Greater London Assembly candidates, Elly Baker and Bob Littlewood and we all went out as a canvassing team wearing masks, keeping social distancing and standing away from doors. 

Slightly to my surprise (and relief)  I did not witness any concern or complaints about us knocking on doors. 

Denise Thomas and John Gray for UNISON Community NEC seats


If you work in housing associations, charities and the voluntary sector and are members of UNISON please vote for Denise and John as your voices on its National Executive Council (NEC). 

Ballot papers will be sent to UNISON members home address from 4 May 2021

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

International Workers' Memorial Day in West Ham (& also remembering Uncle Harry)


Today is International Workers Memorial Day and this afternoon we remembered all those who have been killed at work or died of work related diseases at the beautiful "Clasping Hands" sculpture and memorial in Three Mills Green, Newham, East London.

The memorial remembers "Godfrey Maule Nicholson, Manager Of A Stratford Distillery, George Elliott And Robert Underhill, Workmen, Successively Went Down A Well To Rescue Comrades And Were Poisoned By Gas. July 12 1901". How sad and how fitting to remember this on this particular day.

Our Local Member of Parliament, Lyn Brown, a long standing UNISON member, laid a wreath on behalf of my trade union branch, Greater London UNISON Housing Associations, who have organised memorial events here for many years.

Due to Covid we were restricted this year on who could attend but many thanks to Lyn, Andrew (National UNISON officer for Community), Sonya and Eunice (UNISON activists) for attending.

Hopefully next year we will be able to organise properly and have a bigger and more inclusive event.

Lyn gave a lovely little speech about about how important this occasion was to her as a the local MP to honour workers, such as Robert Underhill, who must have gone down the well on that day, knowing what had happened to those who had tried beforehand to rescue others, but he still risked his life to save others and paid the ultimate price for doing so.

Lyn also mentioned "Uncle Harry". By coincidence this morning I received an email from the niece of Henry (Harry) Turner. She had seen notice of this event on the TUC website. Some 200 yards away from this sculpture, her uncle Harry, had been killed in 1965 during an explosion, in the Sun Flour Mill. He had been working at the site while employed by the London Electricity Board (so possibly a member of UNISON's predecessor trade unions?) . Four people were killed by the explosion. 

There are already the names of other workers killed nearby as well as those from 1901 on the memorial plinth. So maybe we should consider whether other names such as Uncle Harry should be added.

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

The Ski-Slope of Doom - Men's pensions set to fall by 20%

A new report by pension specialists LCP argues that on current trends average men's pensions will rise slightly for a couple of years then fall sharply by 20% over 2 decades

The chief reason (my words not LCP) is that employers are simply not paying enough into their workers pensions and this will force many of them to work until they drop. 


Executive Summary (page 3)

"Every year, roughly three quarters of a million people in the UK reach state pension age. Their regular income at this point is made up of a mixture of state pension, salary related Defined Benefit (DB) occupational pensions and income from more modern ‘Defined Contribution’ (DC) or ‘pot of money’ pensions. 

For many decades, the best retirement outcomes have been achieved by those able to supplement their state pension by a substantial salary-related occupational pension. But whilst such pensions remain the norm in the public sector, the number of private sector workers building up such rights has declined steadily and now stands at only around one million. 

Instead, most workers today, including most of those newly ‘automatically enrolled’ into workplace pensions, are building up Defined Contribution pensions which will provide them with a pot of money at retirement. 

Until now, the assumption (or hope) has been that the ‘legacy’ of past service in DB pensions will tide us over until new DC rights grow to take their place. This paper dispels that myth. 

We argue that past projections of retirement incomes have been distorted by the inclusion of ongoing DB provision for public servants. Whilst this continued provision is indeed good news for those who benefit, for the vast majority of workers, DB pensions are a thing of the past. 

For the first time, this paper strips out the impact of public sector DB pensions and looks purely at what private sector workers can expect to get at retirement. And the story is a bleak one. In essence, private sector DB rights at retirement are currently close to their peak and will decline precipitously in the next 25 years, especially for men. 

By contrast, DC rights will grow only very slowly and will replace only a fraction of the loss in DB rights, leaving new retirees in years to come substantially worse off than their counterparts retiring today. 

We summarise these findings in the chart (Figure 8 in the main report) which we have dubbed ‘the ski slope of doom’. The chart shows the at-retirement income for men and women in each of the next 25 years, measured in current earnings terms. It highlights the fact that women’s incomes will rise only slightly over that period (mainly because of improved state pension provision) but that male pensions will fall substantially, as the death of private sector DB is not matched by the rise of DC saving.

The message of our report is clear. Current plans to replace disappearing DB pensions by new DC savings are wholly inadequate. Without a greater sense of urgency, a whole generation of people will experience a worsening retirement outlook".

Monday, April 26, 2021

We're voting for change - Newham Referendum 6 May 2021

This explains what we are about

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.

Please share this video with your friends

Our web site https://newhamforchange.org/

Follow us on twitter @ForNewham

https://www.facebook.com/newhamvotingforchange

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

International Workers Memorial Day 2021

IWMD is on Wednesday 28 April and UNISON is asking everyone to observe a minute’s silence at 12 noon for all those who have died from COVID-19.

Sunday, April 25, 2021

UNISON Voice for Members in London

I will be voting for Eddie, Sonya, Eunice and Clara - as the voice for London candidates for UNISON’s NEC.

They are all experienced UNISON London activists. Eddie is an ambulance worker, Sonya is a council worker, Eunice is a hospital worker and Clara is a teaching assistant.

Their priorities are members' priorities. Ballot papers will be arriving at your home from 4th May. All UNISON members who work in London will have a vote. #avoiceformembers

Saturday, April 24, 2021

A Day in the Life of a Labour Movement Activist


A busy but satisfying Saturday. Started off with being a UNISON delegate to the virtual TUC London and South East Regional Council AGM. 

During which we were reminded that today was the 8th anniversary of when the Rana Plaza factory building in Dhaka, Bangladesh collapsed. This tragedy took the lives of 1,138 people, mostly young women, and injured around 2,500, making it the fourth largest industrial disaster in history. #WhoMadeMyClothes

Then Labour telephone canvassing for my UNISON colleague, Lola Oyewusi, who is standing to be the next Crime and Police commissioner for Kent. More people answered the phone than in similar East London session and I had a number of very interesting conversations with voters. 

Next was a physical stall in Forest Gate on the Newham Mayoral Referendum, which is also taking place on May 6. I am supporting the change from an Executive Mayor system to the more democratic and accountable Committee model. Again, I had more interest and interaction with local residents with this stall than I have ever had in the past with Labour Party stalls (in the same spot next to the Co-op). No one I spoke to was fully in favour of continuing with the Mayoral model and many passionately against it.

We then went to support a community event in Central Park, East Ham for the "Walk with Dabirul Chachav". Dabirul Islam Choudhury MBE, aged 101,  was inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore,  has raised more than £420,000 for charity by walking laps in his garden in Bow. 

At home I did some local telephone canvassing for Labour in my West Ham ward then went off and delivered leaflets to postal voters in Forest Gate North. 

Finished the day with outdoors fish n chips & mushy peas, in the local pub, The Holly Tree. 

Friday, April 23, 2021

Workers Memorial Day: Wednesday 28 April 2021

 

Workers Memorial Day Wednesday 28 April 2021. Remembering all those killed while at work or who have died of work related diseases.  It is also a campaigning day to fight for the living. 

Check out this physical and FaceBook live commemoration by my trade union branch at the beautiful "clasping hands" sculpture in Three Mills Green, E3.




 


Thursday, April 22, 2021

A weekend away in Norfolk


Off  message but last weekend following English lockdown easing, we hired a self catering chalet in the Norfolk broads and had 2 marvellous days walking in the local countryside. It was great to wake up somewhere different. We even went out on Saturday for a nice outdoor pub lunch (and quickly got fed up with a couple of noisy pub bores on the next door table. We had forgotten about this occasional downside of the Great British pub) .  

On Sunday we walked the 5.5 mile  "How Hill and Ludham" walk from this pathfinder guide book. The start of the walk at How Hill is only 30m high (but classed as a hill in this very flat part of Norfolk). 

I loved the remoteness and the "big skies" you find in Norfolk and East Anglia. The history, the chocolate box villages and all the stunning scenery you come across is unbeatable.  

One thing I noticed is the impressive detached brick house bottom left. It has a plaque on it which says "District Nurse, Norfolk Country Council 1955 (see bottom left of collage). I assume this is from a time when employers cared about the housing need of their workers. 

The walk itself was well sign posted with no obstacles (or angry dogs, gamekeepers or horses) and the directions clear and accurate. 




Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Lola for Kent Police Crime Commissioner Dialogue call - 11am Saturday 24 April

Greater London UNISON Labour Link are supporting this phone bank on Saturday. If you are a UNISON and Labour Party member please join this session. 

"Dear all please join me this Saturday at 11am for phone banking dialogue session. I’m the Labour cooperative candidate for Kent police crime commissioner. Your support will help reach a lot of people and it’s just to encourage voters to give me their votes" Cllr Lola Oyewusi. 


Tuesday, April 20, 2021

ONS Covid blood test shows Jab "worked"

I have been taking part in in a regular survey by the University of Oxford/Office for National Statistics (ONS). I had been randomly selected for this survey. Since October 2020, every 4 weeks, I have had a nurse visit my home for me to have Covid Swab test and a blood test. 

Every test was previously negative for Covid infection and any Covid antibodies. 

On March 14 I had the Oxford/AstraZeneca first jab at a local NHS vaccination clinic. Luckily I had no side effects apart from a slightly sore arm for a day or two. 

Then on April 1st, I had my ONS 4 weekly swab and blood test. The swab test came back negative for infection but last week I received the result of the blood sample, which showed I am now "positive" for Covid antibodies. 

This suggests that the jab I had on 1 April has "worked" and resulted in me having "antibodies" which could fight off any future Covid infection. The negative swab check on the same day as the positive blood test suggests this but I assume that there is a slim chance, that I could have been infected with asymptotic Covid during the 4 weeks beforehand but it seems unlikely. 

NOTE big time the disclaimer above that just because you test positive for antibodies "Please do not assume you cannot get coronavirus again....."  We do not know how long vaccinations will work but roll on my second jab (due on 1 June) and keep following official advice on social distancing and the other official restrictions until we have all been "jabbed".  

Monday, April 19, 2021

Newham for Change taster : Why we need Change


What a great taster video on why we desperately need change in Newham. 

Vote for a Committee Model on May 6 in Newham Referendum & get rid of the Executive Mayoral Model. 

For further information check out:- 



Sunday, April 18, 2021

Vote for a Voice for Health Workers - Pat, James, Gordon and Michelle

 

Vote for a Voice for Members Health Team, Pat Heron, James Anthony,Gordon Mckay and Michelle England. UNISON NEC elections. Ballot papers will be sent to home address of all members from May 4.

Friday, April 16, 2021

Colombian worker perspectives from Cerrejón Coal mine - LAPFF webinar

Last week I chaired this webinar on behalf of the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF). While it can at times be tough being a trade union activist in this country it is nothing to the perils and physical dangers facing Colombian trade unions. 

Check out this account of the meeting below by LAPFF (video of meeting can be seen by its members of their website) and also the article on the IndustriALL website  http://www.industriall-union.org/colombian-worker-perspectives-from-cerrejon-coal-mine (picture credit above)

"On 8 April, LAPFF Vice Chair, Cllr John Gray hosted a webinar with IndustriALL Global Union to provide investors with an update on how Cerrejón’s operations are affecting workers in Colombia. This webinar follows on from a recent LAPFF webinar with a community member affected by Cerrejón. Two workers from SINTRACARBON, a national union of the Colombian coal industry and the main union at Cerrejón, spoke about serious health and safety concerns at the mine.d

After Cerrejón and the union recently concluded a collective agreement, the company turned around and implemented a punishing shift change that will have serious health and safety implications for workers and their families, and an enormous impact on jobs at the mine. In what the union is calling a “jobs slaughter”, Cerrejón is now talking of 450 dismissals in connection with the shift change, with workers’ rights being sacrificed as the mine’s three owners, BHP, Glencore and AngloAmerican, seek to exit thermal coal. Igor Kareld Díaz López, president of SINTRACARBON, spoke about the labor situation at Cerrejón, the actions workers have taken in response, and why Cerrejón and its owners need to take workers’ rights seriously. He also addressed questions about a “just transition” at the mine.

Further, all three companies say that diversity and inclusion are integral to their success are very public in their efforts in training and hiring more women. Unfortunately, these gestures do not reflect the reality for women. Behind the narrative, there are still huge gaps as to how diversity and gender equality are addressed in reality. Hidanora Pérez, a Sintracarbón union leader employed at Cerrejón, addressed existing gender discrimination and inequality at the mine and described what her union is doing to hold the mine to account for the gaps between policy and implementation".

Thursday, April 15, 2021

1st Post Lockdown Beer & Curry

 

This evening I met a UNISON colleague at the Euston Tap for some outdoor beers followed by a lovely Goa curry. It was fantastic to meet up and enjoy a drink and food with friends. The trains were super quiet and pretty much everyone was socially distancing. 

It was cold but my fault for not having more layers. Next time...

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

My NEC report to UNISON Community SGE


I am the elected NEC General seat member for all UNISON Community members (Housing Associations and Voluntary sector).  My colleague, Denise Thomas,  is the Female seat holder. This is my latest report on my NEC activities to our Community Service Group Executive which met virtually today. 

John Gray: National Executive Council (NEC) report to Community SGE

My last report was 1 December 2021. The response to the Covid pandemic has again dominated my work as an activist and as a NEC member.

Now that it appears the very worse may be over, we need to ensure that the Westminster Government does not try and make Community members pay for the cost of Covid by further austerity. Below is my NEC related activity since last SGE.

UNISON Staff Pension Trustee training 12 January

I am an Employer representative on the trustee board. Virtual training by advisors on updates to pension law, taxation, ESG topics, Climate Change and TCFD (carbon disclosures)

Policy Development and Campaigns Committee 13 January

Branch resources review – update and presentation; Brexit update; National Delegate Conference’ Campaign update (including pay freeze); Campaigning for public services and a just society post COVID19; Items based around the four strands agreed on 20th May:  TUC UN Demo International Day of Action Against Racism; Covid-19 vaccination - discussed UNISON approach; TUC General Secretary letter. Consultations – submitted under chairs action since last meeting:-

·         Response to the DWP consultation: Good Practice on In-Work Progression in Low -Pay Sectors

·         UK National Data Strategy (NDS) Consultation December 2020

·         UNISON response to law commission consultation on hate crime law

·         UNISON evidence ETHNIC DISPARITIES AND INEQUALITIES IN THE UK

·         UNISON submission Home Affairs Select Committee Inquiry/Windrush Compensation Scheme

·         HCLG Committee Inquiry: The Impact of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) on homelessness and the private rented sector

UNISON Staff Pension Investment sub-committee 14 January

I chair this sub-committee on pension investment strategy and monitoring.

UNISON Staff Pension Investment sub-committee 9 February

Follow on meeting

NEC 10 February

There was introductory remarks and we had a minutes silence to remember UNISON activists and officers who had passed away since the last full meeting.

Report and debate on National Delegate Conference Business; Report on motions, rule amendments; NEC conference plan; Finance report; General Secretary Report and Organising update.

Extraordinary meeting of SGE/Community Live planning 22 February

Planning meeting

UNISON Staff Pension Trustee Board meeting 24 February

Regular trustee board meeting

NEC 26 February

This was a special NEC meeting to discuss and agree the Branch Resource package.

https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2021/02/nec-agrees-branch-resources-package/

UNISON Staff Pension Trustee Board meeting 3 March

Continuation of meeting from previous week

Community Live events 16-19 March

Attended as many of these excellent events as I could

UNISON/APSE Online Housing Roundtable Meeting 23 March

Attended and contributed to meeting with other members of Community Housing sector committee

NEC training on Pensions 24 March

This training was for all NEC members on how to better understand issues relating to the UNISON staff pension fund

Policy Development and Campaigns Committee 6 April

Special Delegate Conference 2021. Approve draft motions for Special Delegate Conference; Campaign update (including pay freeze); Housing To received verbal briefing on UNISON’s housing campaigns; Health and Social Care White Paper briefing; National Black Members receive a report and recommendations from the Committee. Consultations – submitted under chairs action since last meeting:-

  •  UNISON submission Home Office call for evidence Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2021 -2024
  • JCHR call for evidence March 2021
  • UNISON response March 2021 Green Paper: Transforming Public Procurement
  • UNISON submission Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy consultation Measures to extend the ban on exclusivity clauses in contracts of employment
  • UNISON response February 2021 Digital trade and data enquiry International Trade Commons Select Committee Inquiry
  • UNISON submission in response to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government review to boost the provision of toilets for women and men

NEC Meeting 7 April

We had a minutes silence to remember UNISON activists and officers who had passed away since the last full meeting.

We agreed NEC motions to the “special conference” and received an update on how the conference will happen.

The General Secretary gave a very comprehensive report and answered many, many questions (including mine on how we need to target any employers who intend to reduce “sleep in” payments for staff after the very (very) disappointing Supreme Court decision not to apply the national minimum wage to such shifts.

Next were reports from: organising, service groups, Industrial action committee, disciplinary matters, minutes and staff pensions

https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2021/04/unison-to-step-up-campaigns-on-pay-and-social-care-reform/

Industrial Action Committee (IAC)

As the elected NEC vice chair of IAC, the Chair and I deal with weekly or even daily requests and/or approvals for industrial action including those by Community members. In all my time on IAC I have never refused to endorse industrial action.

Ad hoc

There has been other occasional virtual meetings/calls with other NEC members, advisors and UNISON national officers in relation to my role on Staff Pension Committee and IAC. In more usual times this might have been a chat over an issue in the UNISON centre canteen.

Finally

I did attend the virtual retirement do of our former National Secretary, Dave Johnson on 5 March. Dave was of course, his usual “quiet and retiring” self. I wished him well and thanked him for his long service to UNISON and in particular to our Community Service Group.

Regards

John Gray Community NEC (General Seat)  

(Please ring or email if any questions or comments, especially from any new members to the SGE. If you want Denise or I to present virtually to your branch, SOG or regional meetings, then just let us know)

13 April 2021

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

All our London EU Citizens can vote Sadiq for London on May 6


All our London EU Citizens can vote Sadiq for London on May 6

Also whether you're working from home, juggling work and childcare or working shifts on the frontline, the safest and easiest way to have your say is to vote by post. Just fill in your details here https://earlyvote.labour.org.uk/tu, print, sign and post your form to register. 

In England and Wales you have until Tuesday 20 April for your council to receive your form.

Vote Safely. Vote at Home. Vote by Post.

Monday, April 12, 2021

Happy 80th Birthday Mum!

This is the 2nd "off message" post in a row but it is my personal blog and many families in the UK (and elsewhere) are in similar circumstances. Gill and I spoke to my Mum on FaceTime this morning  to wish her happy birthday and had a lovely chat. 

My sisters and I had chipped together to buy her a new IPAD for her 80th. Thank God for Facetime during the past 13 months!

She had her 2nd Covid Jab on Saturday (Oxford Zeneca - no side effects so far). I am discussing with staff in her Housing Association sheltered accommodation block (in North Wales) how and when we can go and see her. The last time was August last year. 

She has a new Great Grandson (see top right) that she has not even seen yet and while she is really keen to see us all, she recognises she is very vulnerable and only wants to meet when it is safe. Hopefully very soon. 

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Benfleet Downs & Hadleigh Marsh Walk

 

"Off message" but another lovely post lockdown walk with Gill, 53 minutes by car from Forest Gate. This time in Essex, starting off at at the ruined but still very impressive, 13th Century Castle at Hadleigh, which has great views overlooking Canvey Island, the Thames Estuary and the Kentish North Downs. 

We walked along the Benfleet creek embankment and enjoyed the clouds and sunshine of "Big Skies" Essex. It was cold and windy in exposed parts but warm out of the wind and when in the sunshine. 

We also walked up and then down to the Olympic (2012) Mountain Bike park which is currently closed for essential maintenance. I must get a decent mountain bike and visit when it reopens. 

"On message" is that we started at the former "Labour colony" next to Hadleigh Castle which was set up by the founder of the Salvation Army, General Booth. Check out here further information  these http://www.workhouses.org.uk/labourcolonies/.  This is not something that I would support nowadays but at least in the 19th century, someone was trying to do something about poverty and unemployment.  It is now a tea room, rare breeds farm and Salvation Army centre. Closed now but hopefully opened from tomorrow. 

Saturday, April 10, 2021

WORK – The ESG Conference

 (This looks interesting. It should not have needed the onslaught of Covid to raise the profile of "Social" in ESG. There is also too much #LabourRightsWashing going on ) 

"WORK – The Conference

The Covid-19 pandemic has served to remind us of the vital role played by workers in a range of industries. Our societies rely on often modestly paid workers in sectors like food production and distribution.

Yet despite increased rhetoric about the importance of the S in ESG, most events touch briefly on these issues, in particular in relation to labour and employment. We know that investors are interested in understanding employment issues more deeply, and that workers and labour organisations want their concerns to attract more attention from responsible investors.

To shift the balance, we have decided to a day-long online ‘conference’ devoted to employment-related ESG issues, and nothing else. It will put work, and workers, centre stage for once.

Sessions will focus on topics such as labour market policy, the materiality of employment issues, the importance of bargaining power and more.

Speakers include:

Matthew Taylor, head of UK Government's Review of Employment

Paul Nowak, Deputy General Secretary, Trades Union Congress

Dr Wanda Wyporska, Executive Director, The Equality Trust

Christine Berry, author writing on democratic ownership (Verso 2022) and senior fellow at the Finance Lab

Katie Hepworth, Director of Workers' Rights, Australian Centre for Corporate Responsibility

Caroline Escott, Senior Investment Manager - Active Ownership, Railpen

Damon Silvers, Director of Policy and Special Counsel, AFL-CIO

Duncan Symonds, Executive Director, IFM Investors

If you would like to attend please register on the link below, there is also a link to register on the attached conference flyer.

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_i46-VaJjT0iph0RZccoREQ

Please note, the conference will run in two sessions (10:00 - 12:30 & 14:00 - 16:30). After registering, individual login details will be provided for each session via a calendar invite to the email provided".

Friday, April 09, 2021

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

While I am a convinced Republican, who does not believe in a hereditary Head of State, I echo the words of Keir.

“The United Kingdom has lost an extraordinary public servant in Prince Philip.

“Prince Philip dedicated his life to our country – from a distinguished career in the Royal Navy during the Second World War to his decades of service as the Duke of Edinburgh.

“However, he will be remembered most of all for his extraordinary commitment and devotion to The Queen.

“For more than seven decades, he has been at her side. Their marriage has been a symbol of strength, stability and hope, even as the world around them changed – most recently during the pandemic. It was a partnership that inspired millions in Britain and beyond.

“My thoughts are with The Queen, the Royal Family and the British people as our nation comes together to mourn and remember the life of Prince Philip.”

Keir Starmer
Leader of the Labour Party

Thursday, April 08, 2021

We're voting for Change: Newham Governance Referendum May 6, 2021

 

Dear friends,

Please find attached our latest campaign newsletter; feel free to share and forward to friends and comrades.

Featuring:

- Our brand new leaflets - get in touch if you're able to deliver any in your local area by replying to this email newhamvotingforchange@gmail.com.


- Support our crowdfunder! We're raising funds to make a video to maximise our social media reach while physical campaigning is limited.

- Join our Digital Army! Our Whatsapp group will share campaign materials and actions for supporters.

- And catch some of our recent appearances on local media: John Whitworth in Newham Voices ………. John Gray speaks to Puru Miah and Andrew Wood on Relaks Radio’s Politics show ………. Josephine Grahl and Anam Islam chat to Jenny Fisher on East London News’s ‘The Tuesday Show’

In comradeship,

Newham Voting for Change

WEBSITE: https://newhamforchange.org/ 

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

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ForNewham/

 


Wednesday, April 07, 2021

Working for UNISON - Online taster session

 What a great initiative. 


Working for UNISON – Online taster session

29 April 20213:00pm–4:30pm

MS Teams

UNISON is the UK’s largest Trade Union with over 1.3 million members,  around 80% of whom are women. We represent public sector employees at work, support them to speak up with their employers, lobby the Government and campaign for an equal and fair society for all.

UNISON is a diverse union; with democratic structures designed to give a voice to those under -represented in society and positions of power – Disabled members; Black members; LGBT members, Women and Young Members.

We want our staff to represent the diversity of our membership.

The Greater London Region is holding an open taster session for anyone interested in finding out what it’s like working for UNISON – what the different roles are; what skills and experience you need; the process of applying for a job in UNISON London Region and how you can make a difference every day.

This virtual session will be run on MSTeams.

To register please send your full name, contact details (including e-mail address) and where you saw this advert to GreaterLondonRegion@unison.co.uk by 12 noon Tuesday 27th April.

You do not need to be a current union member or activist to attend.

Attendance does not guarantee an interview or future job.

Monday, April 05, 2021

UNISON Unity NEC elections: A Voice for members



Check out also this Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/avoiceformembers which is supporting candidates in the forthcoming UNISON NEC elections who promise to be a "Voice for Members".

The UNISON NEC (National Executive Council) acts as our "Trade Union Parliament" for 51 weeks of the year outside our annual national conference.  

Denise Thomas and I are standing to be re-elected to the UNISON NEC 2x Community seats (representing 80000 members who work for housing associations and the voluntary sector)

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.

Sunday, April 04, 2021

Mereworth Woods & West Peckham Walk

 

Off message but yesterday Gill and I went for our first walk outside North East London since the relaxation in "Lock Down" restrictions. We went to Mereworth in North Kent for this lovely "up and down" 6 mile circular walk. 53 minutes drive from Forest Gate with some great views. 

It was fascinating to go in spring to see all the fruit, hops and vine plantations. Must go back in autumn to see what is produced,  

We last did this walk 8 years ago (check out https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2013/09/a-kentish-walk-class-cleansing-downton.html) where I did not post on why it is such a lovely walk itself but rather its historical - Class cleansing, Wanstead House, "Downton Abbey" connections). 

Saturday, April 03, 2021

Newham Voting for Change

 Hat tip One Bangla News "Newham Voting for Change is the campaign set up in October 2020 to campaign for change in the local governance referendum which will take place on 6 May 2021.

The group, formed of Newham residents and councillors, believes that the committee structure is a more open, democratic and accountable way for Newham Council to make decisions.

The referendum on the 6 May 2021 offers Newham residents a choice between the current Democratically Elected Mayoral system, or the committee system, where decisions are made not by one person (the Mayor) but by committees formed of elected councillors.

Cllr Anamul Islam, Chief Whip for the Newham Labour Group of councillors, said: “The committee structure is a more democratic, inclusive and open way of making decisions in the local council. It allows much more participation from community groups in council decision making and ensures that local councillors are more accountable to the people who elect them.”

Josephine Grahl, Newham resident and campaigner for the committee structure, said: “The vote on the 6 May 2021 is binding for ten years, so it’s really important that Newham residents have their say. We’ve had a directly elected Mayor for nearly twenty years, but now is the time for a change to a fairer, more democratic system.”

Contact details
newhamvotingforchange@gmail.com"

https://newhamforchange.org/

https://twitter.com/ForNewham

https://www.facebook.com/newhamvotingforchange

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

Friday, April 02, 2021

Back on the Campaign Trail for Labour in West Ham

 

Today I went into the attic to retrieve Labour placards, UNISON Labour Link clip boards and my agent "campaign bag" (placards, marker pens, cord, FB & drop keys, tapes etc). Due to Covid it has been over a year since I had last done any "physical" campaigning work for Labour. 

Government guidance on political campaign under Covid has been relaxed and now allow for leaflet distribution and even door knocking. There is of course, still strict safety guidance on numbers of volunteers out together and social distancing. 

I had picked up leaflets to be delivered to the ward I represent (West Ham) on the Council and started delivering (by myself). My ward Councillor colleagues and Labour activists have also been out delivering so have other wards. 

It was great to be "out and about" in the ward, enjoying all the spring blossom while getting fit going up and down communal stairs in our blocks.  I was able to note Communal repairs and maintenance issues which I will take up with the Council. 

It is so important that we re-elect our Greater London Assembly (GLA) Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan, our local Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai and the Labour London List Assembly members. For example in Newham we would have found it really difficult to deliver on our "1000 homes at social rent" manifesto pledge without the Sadiq's GLA grant of £107 million. 

While I will continue to leaflet and telecanvass, I do look forward to knocking on my constituents' doors, being held to account and speaking directly to residents as soon as it is safe to do so. 

Thursday, April 01, 2021

NHS STAFF DESERVE A PROPER PAY RISE - UNISON

 

"Families and individuals across the UK are being urged by health unions to create colourful window displays in their homes and workplaces today (Thursday) to show support for NHS staff on the day they should have been getting a pay rise.

Artworks designed by children’s illustrators and writers are part of a growing collection of posters available to download from a campaign page designed by the 14 unions, who between them represent more than a million health workers across the UK.

This includes drawings from Nick Sharratt, whose books include Shark in the Park, Ketchup on Your Cornflakes? and the You Choose series; Emer Stamp, author and illustrator of the Diaries of Pig; and Nick Butterworth – who is behind the Percy the Park Keeper books.

Today is the day that NHS staff across the UK – including paramedics, domestics, radiographers, nurses, midwives, 999 call handlers and healthcare assistants – should have been due a wage rise, say unions. The three-year deal agreed back in 2018 came to an end yesterday.

But despite all the efforts made by health workers throughout the pandemic, the government says staff must wait until the NHS pay review body (PRB) makes its recommendation later in the summer.

To add insult to injury, say health unions, the government’s evidence to the PRB proposed a mere 1% pay increase. The Prime Minister has insisted it’s all that can be afforded, but last week health workers in Scotland were offered pay rises worth 4% overall.

However, a decent pay rise for NHS staff has overwhelming public support, say the unions, which include UNISON, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).

A strong show of support from the public should help convince the government that the time has come for a rethink on NHS pay, say the unions.

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “The public want NHS staff to get a decent pay rise. They know how tough this past year’s been for health workers who’ve gone to incredible lengths caring for patients, saving lives and keeping us safe.

“It’s now time we did something for NHS workers. By downloading and colouring in supportive posters, people can show the Prime Minister just how much NHS staff matter to them.

“Health workers are worth much more than 1%. The entire nation knows this. Let’s get creative, show the government how very wrong it is on NHS pay and encourage ministers it’s high time they thought again.”