Monday, May 31, 2021

Motion 72: Supporting Our Branches - the Branch Support and Organising Fund


UNISON special delegate conference 2021 is now only a few weeks away. If you are a delegate check out this short video on motion 72. It is about time that we modernised and changed the way we fund and support members and branches. Support motion 72!

"The Branch Support & Organising Fund is just one element of the package that makes up Motion 72: Supporting Our Branches. This fund will replace the Regional Pool and the Fighting Fund. Based on 2019 figures, there will be £3.3m of funding available to branches per year. This is very likely to rise over time.
 
It will be held at regional lay level for flexible deployment in and across branches. This film is an introduction to this fund".

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Walk Wild Essex - South Woodham Ferrers

Photo collage from a fantastic walk last Sunday in South Woodham Ferrers near Cheltenham. A 6 mile circular walk. Only 51 minutes by car from Newham but also the walk starts at the town railway station.

The walk is listed in guide book "Walk Wild Essex" by Tony Gunton. This is the 2nd walk we have done from this book and been impressed with both. There is another 48 to explore. 

It may not be particularly "wild" but there was lots of fresh air (and a little rain) and my favorite big Essex skies. There was a few people about but most of the time there was a lovely sense of remoteness and isolation. 

We finished off with a drink at the "The Railway" next to the station. I was astonished that on the sign for the pub, the train illustrated on it was apparently called the "North Wales Coastal Express"? Anyone know why in wild Essex a train from my homeland is featured? 

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Good news, bad news and the same challenges - trade union membership statistics

Check out this article by TUC Carl Roper.  TUC Membership grew last year for the 4th year in a row. There are still huge challenges, particularly in the private sector but the recent announcement that Uber has recognised the GMB is really positive news.

Good news, bad news and the same challenges - trade union membership statistics

Friday, May 28, 2021

West Ham Tenants Handbook 1962

 

Hat tip for fantastic pictures of West Ham Council housing in 1962 to @Londonnurse2015 & @lccmunicipal. Capel Point is across the road from me and Church Street is in my West Ham Council ward.

Thursday, May 27, 2021

"Equity vultures prey on the elderly"

I am definitely not a Daily Mail reader but hats off to this article on the investors who take profits at the expense of care homes residents.  Pension funds and other asset owners take note. If you do "invest" in this sector, what are you doing to make sure you are are not preying on our most vulnerable? 

Hat tip UNISON Jamie Brown

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Newham Council Rough Sleeping Street Count: 25 May 2021

 

Last night I took part again in the latest count of people "rough sleeping" in Newham. Council Officers, members, outreach workers and volunteers, turned up at the former Council staff restaurant area in Newham Dockside building at 11pm for a coffee then briefing. At 11.45pm we went out in teams of 2 to visit different parts of the borough in order to observe and count the number of "rough sleepers". 

One of the reasons to do this is to show funders of measures to support rough sleepers and help get them off the streets that we make a difference. 

Due to Covid the count team is scaled down from the past. I went out with Kris from Thamesreach to visit Stratford town centre. 

We found two people sleeping separately in shop doorways. One of whom was unknown to outreach. This information was fed back to the early morning outreach shift, who would contact both of them and offer support. 

While we found evidence of more people sleeping rough in the past (abandoned mattresses and clothing), it is amazing what a difference our outreach teams, local volunteers and other agencies have made. 

I can remember previous counts in Stratford when we would see over 100 people sleeping rough. While having to close Stratford shopping centre overnight due to Covid made a huge difference, the joined up compassionate but pro active response has made a huge difference. Well done to everyone involved including former rough sleepers with lived experience. 

This "success" also shows that you can deal with street homelessness if you have the will and the resources. However, at the moment many rough sleepers are being housed in hotels and other forms of temporary accommodation. Some of these hotels are now wanting to cater again to the business and tourist market while the government is clearly either getting rid or reducing the financial support they had promised local authorities to get everyone off the streets. 

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is last day to post your vote! #UNISONNEC

 


Ballot closes 5pm Thursday. Some recommendations. Maybe put 1st class stamp on SAE if posting tomorrow. https://avoiceformembers.co.uk/


Make sure you vote and take part in the internal democracy of our union https://avoiceformembers.co.uk/





Three Labour Movement AGM's in one Week

Last week I attended 3 different Annual General Meetings. 

On Tuesday and Thursday evening, it was the Newham Labour Group AGM (Councillors) where I was elected unopposed as Group Chair.

Then on Wednesday UNISON Greater London Regional Council AGM, where (coincidently) I was re-elected unopposed as Regional Finance Convenor (as were all the Regional Council officers). 

On Saturday I took part as a UNISON delegate in the TUC London, East & South East Regional Council AGM. 

In the UK the Labour movement traditionally has two wings, the Trade Unions and its political wing, the Labour Party.  I am a firm believer and supporter of the Labour Movement family. 

Like any family, from time to time, there are some major rows and disagreements. But we remain a family. 

Monday, May 24, 2021

Its not too late there is still time to vote in UNISON NEC elections


Ballot closes 5pm on Thursday. Every vote will count. Ballet papers sent to members home addresses. Please post via SAE by tomorrow (or add first class stamp on Wednesday). Check out https://avoiceformembers.co.uk/ (and below) for voting recommendations but can all members take part in the internal democracy of our union and Vote!



TUC – employers “massively under-reporting” Covid work-related deaths

 

Yet another massive Government failure over Covid. Hat tip TUC report and picture Morning Star.

·         "Employers claim just 2.5% of working-age Covid deaths are from exposure to Coronavirus at work 

·         System for reporting workplace deaths and infections is “letting bad bosses off the hook”, says TUC 

·         Under-reporting has badly undermined health and safety regulation and enforcement during the pandemic 

The number of people who have died from exposure to Covid at work is being “massively under-reported” by employers, according to a new TUC report published today (Sunday). 

 The report highlights a huge discrepancy between Covid work-related deaths reported by employers and data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Public Health England. 

Between April 2020 and April 2021 the ONS reported that 15,263 people of working age died from Covid.  

But according to reports filed by employers just 387 (2.5 per cent) of these deaths came from workers contracting Covid at work. 

 The union body says this under-reporting has badly undermined health and safety regulation enforcement during the pandemic with employers less likely to face action from regulators for putting staff at risk. 

 Under-reporting in at-risk sectors 

 The TUC’s report shows that in sectors with high numbers of deaths during the pandemic - like food production and transport - only a small fraction of deaths have been reported as work-related by employers. 

 Figures from the ONS show that between March 2020 and December 2020 more than 600 people working in the transport sector died.  

 But according to reports filed by employers (over the longer period of April 2020 to April 2021) just 10 deaths in the transport sector were work-related. 

 And figures from the ONS show that 63 food production workers died between March 2020 and December 2020. 

 But according to data supplied by employers (over the longer period of April 2020 to April 2021) just three of these deaths were the result of work. 

 The TUC believes the true number of work-related deaths in these and other sectors are much higher, especially considering the high number of breaches of safety protocols we have seen during the pandemic and the high numbers of outbreaks.  

 Reporting system “letting bad bosses off the hook” 

 Employers are required by law to report deaths, injuries and illnesses that take place at work or in connection with work.   

 This is done through a mechanism called RIDDOR (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) which logs work-related deaths, illnesses and injuries for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 

 But under the current reporting system employers are given “free rein” to decide whether a Covid-19 diagnosis is the result of occupational exposure or from exposure outside of work premises. 

 The TUC says this loophole has led to employers not reporting the true scale of Covid work-related deaths and infections to the HSE, despite this information being vital to containing the spread of the virus. 

 Enforcement crisis 

 The TUC says that for the HSE to do its job effectively it must possess an accurate and up-to-date picture of where and when work-related deaths and infections are taking place. 

 But during the pandemic it has only been provided with very partial information from employers.  

 This has prevented the HSE from carrying out potentially urgent inspections and ensuring employers take the necessary action to keep workers and the public safe, says the report. 

TUC analysis shows that just 1 in 218 workplaces has been inspected by the HSE (between March 2020 and April 2021) and not one single employer has been prosecuted for putting staff at risk.  

 The union body says this “crisis of regulation and enforcement” has allowed bad bosses to get away with flagrant labour rights abuses – adding that the pandemic has highlighted Britain’s enforcement system’s long-standing deficiencies. 

 New approach needed to health and safety 

 As well as calling for improvements in the way work-related delated deaths and infections are reported, the union body says government must reverse cuts to the HSE of the past decade, which it says left the country “under-prepared and vulnerable” to the pandemic.  

 The last ten years has seen real term cuts of 50 per cent to the HSE budget, on top of local authority budgets being slashed.  

 There has also been a dramatic decline in inspections. There were 27 per cent fewer HSE inspections carried out in the UK in 2019 than 2011, amounting to a fall of over 5,700 a year. 

 TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:  

 “Everybody deserves to be safe at work. But this pandemic has exposed a crisis in health and safety regulation and enforcement. 

 “Employers have massively under-reported Covid work-related deaths and infections.

 “This has made it much harder for regulators to track where outbreaks are happening and allowed bad bosses to get away with flagrant labour rights abuses. 

 “It’s staggering that not a single employer has been prosecuted for putting workers at risk of contracting Covid-19.  

 “The government must fix the deficiencies in how workplace deaths, illnesses and injuries are reported. The current system is letting bosses off the hook. 

 “And ministers must fund enforcement bodies properly so they can recruit and train qualified workplace inspectors, inspect more workplaces, and prosecute companies who don’t keep their workers safe.” 


Sunday, May 23, 2021

Denise Thomas for UNISON NEC Community (only 3 days left!)


A brilliant endorsement by UNISON Community activists for my colleague Denise. She is standing for the female seat and I am standing for the General seat. All ballot papers must be returned by this Thursday 27 May. Post it tomorrow!

Check out my recommendations below or https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2021/05/unison-nec-elections-now-on-vote-for.html. These are recommendations only, please vote and participate in the internal democracy of your union. 



Just had my 2nd Covid vaccine: Oxford AstraZeneca

I was pleased this morning to have my 2nd Covid vaccination at a local chemist. It took in total around 5-10 minutes. It was far more relaxed process than my first jab which took place in Stratford Westfields

I had been able to rebook and bring forward this second vaccination. 

So far no pain or side affects (fingers crossed). Thanks to the staff at Woodford Pharmacy for their prompt and efficient service. 

Saturday, May 22, 2021

John Gray Community NEC endorsement by Joseph Ogundemuren


Many thanks. Joseph is the branch secretary of the Greater London UNISON Housing Association Branch. In his personal capacity he endorses me for the Community branch nomination. Joseph has also sent another video supporting my colleague Denise Thomas for the 2nd Community NEC position which I will post later.

The ballot closes 5pm on Thursday 27 May 2021 so please dig out your ballot paper from the pile of "will sort out later" mail in kitchen drawer or chair and vote as your NEC members, people who will be #avoiceformembers.

Check out my recommendations below or https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2021/05/unison-nec-elections-now-on-vote-for.html. These are recommendations only, please vote and participate in the internal democracy of your union. 



Friday, May 21, 2021

Newham Pension Committee: Launch of our new ESG Investment Policy


This "blended" physical and virtual meeting worked pretty well. There was 5 Newham Councillors present in the former staff canteen area of the Dockside building, while Council officers and advisors joined via zoom from all over the UK. Members of the public could view the meeting via YouTube. 

I was so pleased to speak in favour of the revised ESG policy which means that we will soon have a 0.2% exposure to carbon industries, support for a just transition, tackle pay inequality, support gender diversity, tackle tax avoidance and support Labour rights. 

We need to do much, much more with regard to ESG but this was a very welcome start. 



Thursday, May 20, 2021

The ballot for the #UNISON NEC elections is still open. Vote for #avoiceformembers...

The ballot closes 5pm on Thursday 27 May 2021 so please dig out your ballot paper from the pile of "will sort out later" mail in kitchen drawer or chair and vote as your NEC members people who will be #avoiceformembers.




Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Greater London UNISON Regional Council AGM 2021

 

Today was the Annual General Meeting of the UNISON Greater London Regional Council. It was held virtually with a shortened agenda but mirrored what happened when we had past physical meetings (sort of).

UNISON is the largest union in London with around 130,000 members. I was pleased to be re-elected unopposed with the rest of the Regional Convenor team this year (and last year).

Our elected lay National President, Newcastle Council worker, Josie Bird, was our first key note speaker. Josie spoke passionately to the AGM about the contempt this Government treats the working class & the personal difficulties, she and many others had experienced in "lock down" home schooling her children while trying to carry out a demanding job. 

As a UNISON NEC member I have been present at a few meetings being expertly chaired by Josie when her very young son has decided to join his Mum on zoom! It didn't happen today. 

Out next speaker was our  new UNISON general secretary, Christina McAnea who 
thanked all UNISON public service members & activists for their work during #COVID19

Also, despite being from Glasgow, she has now lived in #London for longer than anywhere else, and she had been so pleased to get support of this Region in her election. 

After a speaker on the vital importance on Climate Change, there was the regional annual report, my financial convenor report, motions (all very respectful including debates on those ruled out of order) and AOB. Elections for other positions took place via email afterwards. 

While I really miss such meetings, when held in real life (and of course with a few drinks and meal afterwards) I thought it went well and many thanks to our Regional Convenor, Yvonne Green, who chaired the meeting magnificently, with her very calm, very polite, inclusive but no nonsense manner. 

I shall look forward to a more traditional "rough and tumble" UNISON AGM next year! (fingers crossed)

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Thank you Kristina for your vote! (UNISON NEC Community & London seats) #avoiceformembers

Many thanks to London care worker Kristina for her support for Denise and I in the Community seats election and also voting for Sonya, Clara, Eddie and Eunice for the London Seats.

If individual UNISON members have not received a freepost ballot paper by now to their home addresses then they should contact the ballot helpline operated by UNISONdirect, on the following telephone number: 0800 0 857 857.

Lines are open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968.

Members should try to have their membership number to hand when telephoning.

The latest point at which members can request a ballot paper is 12 noon on 20 May 2021.

The ballot closes 5pm on Thursday 27 May 2021 so please dig out your ballot paper from the pile of "will sort out later" mail in kitchen drawer or chair and vote as your NEC members people who will be #avoiceformembers.

If you are not a UNISON member of Community or London region check out recommendations https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2021/05/unison-nec-elections-now-on-vote-for.html

Monday, May 17, 2021

Labour and TUC call for ‘fire and rehire’ ban as part of new work vision

 End of lockdown a chance for people to reassert control, say Frances O’Grady and Angela Rayner

People will have an opportunity to wrest back control over their working lives when the country emerges from the pandemic, but the government must do more to help by immediately outlawing practices such as ‘fire and rehire’, prominent trade union and political figures have said.

Frances O’Grady, the head of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), and the new shadow secretary of state for the future of work, Angela Rayner, called for a reset in the relationships between employers and staff as they each set out visions for the future of work.

“The pandemic has raised these pretty profound questions about our values and it’s held up a mirror to Britain on inequalities that were there long before, but have been magnified by it,” O’Grady said.

“It is a chance for us to say: ‘Do we really think it’s right that all the risk is on the shoulder of the workers and that people who do the most valuable work very often get paid the least?’”

Rayner attacked the government for failing to deliver the promised employment bill that ministers had indicated would secure the rights workers have enjoyed during the UK’s membership of the EU, saying its absence “exposes the gaping hole between Tory rhetoric and action”.

She said: “Coming out of this pandemic, there is an urgent need for stronger employment rights and protections, yet without a bill the inequality and injustice that exists in our economy as a result of the Tories’ failure to protect working people will only get worse.”

Millions of people have seen fundamental changes to the way they work during the pandemic and that has led many to reassess how they want to work in future – as well as how they value the work of others.

There was widespread condemnation of government plans to offer only a 1% pay rise to NHS staff in England this year. And there are calls to broaden the definition of key worker to include, for example, the supermarket staff who helped keep a locked-down country fed – and to give them priority access to cheaper housing, as well as a living wage and better working conditions.

“If we really want to thank key workers, show that through their pay packets,” O’Grady said.

Key in any revision of the way the country works, O’Grady said, must be to increase and broaden statutory sick pay, which she said has proven insufficient to allow people on low pay to self-isolate for the good of the public.

For years, the government had identified a pandemic as one of the biggest risks facing the UK. National security would be threatened by maintaining statutory sick pay at a level that did not allow everyone to self-isolate if needed, the TUC’s head warned.

O’Grady said she was optimistic people would use the experience of the past year to assert greater control over their working lives, stressing that the focus would need to extend far beyond simply allowing city-based office workers to work from home.

People in all types of workplaces could benefit from being able to fit work around their lives, including by gaining the right to regular hours, more job-sharing and flexi-time, as well as greater freedom to swap shifts, she said.

O’Grady added: “The trick is realising we can only do that collectively. And that’s the challenge, which I’m optimistic about.” While she called on workers to use the trade union movement to help win such rights, both O’Grady and Rayner said the government had a major role to play.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said it was “committed to protecting and enhancing workers’ rights”. A spokesperson added: “In the past year alone, we have taken vigorous action, from introducing parental bereavement leave, to protecting new parents on furlough, to giving millions a pay rise through a higher minimum wage.”

However, the minimum wage is still well below what campaigners say is needed when measured against the cost of living.

The spokesperson added: “The government is committed to bringing forward an employment bill to further protect and enhance workers’ rights to build a high skilled, high productivity, high wage economy that delivers on our ambition to make the UK the best place in the world to work and grow a business.”

But Labour’s deputy leader cited the example of fire and rehire, under which staff are forced to accept worse conditions in order to keep their jobs, as one area where ministers must do more, calling it an “appalling and bullying practice”. The prime minister has denounced it as unacceptable but Rayner demanded that he “outlaw it without any further delay”.

She added: “For years, many companies have used bogus self-employment to deny their workers sick pay, annual leave and other basic protections, in arrangements that are specially designed so companies can dodge their legal and moral responsibility to treat their staff with dignity and respect.”

Both women agreed that the shared experience of the pandemic should be the catalyst for fundamental change".

Hat tip The Guardian

Sunday, May 16, 2021

Thanks Jim for Voting Denise Thomas and John Gray as your UNISON NEC representatives for Community members

Many thanks to Jim D from Glasgow who sent me via my personal facebook a series of questions about my views on issues, I responded and then a little later he sent this photo of his completed ballot paper. Many thanks Jim!

I have received a number of telephone calls, WhatsApp messages and emails from UNISON members, up and down the country, asking me questions or for advice on who to vote for. Many have read all the election statements but are confused about processes and who they can or cannot vote for. UNISON members will all have several votes.  It can be a little confusing.  

So I would urge UNISON members who work in Community organisations (For example Housing Associations and Charities) to consider voting for John GRAY and Denise THOMAS

However, if you are a member of any Greater London UNISON branch you can vote for 4 NEC members regardless of which "Service Group" you belong too. 

I will be voting for :-

Female Seats: Sonya HOWARD and Clara MASON

Male Seat: Eddie BRAND

Reserved Seat: Eunice WHYTE

Other recommendations are as below:-



Saturday, May 15, 2021

National Trust St Ives and The Hemingfords walk

 

On Monday, Gill and I stopped off on the way home from a post lockdown family weekend visit to Lincolnshire to go on this simply marvellous 5 mile circular walk around St Ives, Cambridgeshire. 

We started off at the National Trust car park (free for members) outside Houghton Mill (currently closed). When we arrived it was raining cats and dogs (despite the weather forecast was dry). We admired the picnickers who just put up umbrellas and carried on despite the heavy rain. After the down pour it was fine for the rest of the day. 

The walk itself was simply lovely, with stunning meadows, rivers, ancient buildings and big skies. We went past the church where Oliver Cromwell use to worship and through historic St Ives (well worth a return visit for a weekend). 

Friday, May 14, 2021

UNISON Greater London Housing Associations branch explain's why they support Denise and John for NEC

 

Greater London Region
Housing Associations Members
Date: 11 May 2021
This Branch has nominated John Gray and Denise Thomas in the UNISON National Executive Council elections 2021, to represent Community General Seat and Female Seat. We did so because they are committed to:
• Putting UNISON Members first
• Representing members when they need help and support
• Winning better pay and decent pensions for all
• Fighting Cuts and Austerity
• Building a union that looks after you and your family
These are the values and priorities of the majority of UNISON members.
Values and priorities that your branch hold and support.
Make sure your voice is heard. Make sure our branch is supported.
Kind regards,
Joseph Ogundmeuren
Branch Secretary - UNISON Housing Associations Branch

Back to physical (but blended) Council meetings

 

The Government has let the emergency Covid legislation allowing Councils to hold legal virtual only meetings to end. There was an unsuccessful judicial review against this decision, so I had to attend the Newham Council Local Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday in person, so that I can speak and vote on the applications.

The meeting was held in the "former" ground floor canteen of Newham Dockside building. 7 Councillors attended and while there was a few Council officers present to help run the meeting, planning officers and applicants joined "virtually" (there was no objectors to any of the planning applications present. This is a shame since there had been some online objections). 

There was some detailed advice on Covid safe precautions. I had to fill out a rather personal risk assessment on my health and any possible medical risks. Also, I was advised to take a Covid lateral flow test on the day (I ordered online Friday and the kit arrived Monday to my home address). The test was not as complicated as I thought it would be (check out the government video) and reminded me of the Chemistry Kits we had as kids. My test was negative. 

There was strict social distancing at the physical meeting and we all had to wear masks unless we were speaking.  It was concerning that some Councillors had been told that they did not have to have a Covid test beforehand since all staff had one. I think this was unwise. 

I fully admit in one way it was very nice to see Councillor and staff colleagues in person after so long.

While I felt comfortable at attending the meeting, I am sure that for many other Councillors/officers who may be elderly, shielding or have underlying health conditions, may not think it is safe to attend such meetings at this moment despite having jabs. While younger Councillors who have not had vaccine jabs may be concerned about the vulnerable adults they live with. 

If Councillors cannot attend these physical meetings they cannot vote on applications and risk being kicked off the Council if they do not attend such meetings in a six month period. 

Why on earth the Covid legislation could not have been extended to allow virtual only Council meetings for a few months longer is beyond me. Ask Boris. 

You can check out a recording of the meeting on YouTube here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqNoCDN-mkk

Thursday, May 13, 2021

"We need people on the UNISON NEC who can fight for us...I will be voting for Denise Thomas and John Gray"

Many thanks to UNISON Community member, Denise Charles, for her super support

"The community service group is the faster growing group in our union and we need people on our NEC who can fight for us and make sure our voices can be heard. 

For the last 2 years that has been Denise Thomas and John Gray. 

They have done an amazing job, they really have put the service group on the map. 

They have really made sure that our member’s rights and our member’s voices have been heard at the highest level in our union. 

I’ll be voting for Denise Thomas and John Gray".


May 6 aftermath: Sadiq, Unmesh & Farah win well; Newham Democracy Referendum narrowly loses; Wales keeps Red as does some regions (but crushing by election defeat)


Now I have had some time to recover from electioneering and reflect upon last Thursday 6 May - some thoughts:-

Congratulations on Sadiq being re-elected as London Mayor; Unmesh re-elected as our local City & East Assembly member and Farah winning the by election in East Ham Central with over 52% of vote. Newham turnout was 35% which is by any standards unacceptably poor. We did not get out the Labour vote in Newham that we should have had. 

The Newham democracy referendum on replacing the Executive Mayor with a Councillor run committee model was lost by 44% to 56%, which is a shame but the narrow majority shows the concern felt by many residents about such governance arrangements. I supported the "Newham for Change" campaign and hope it will continue to argue for greater democracy and transparency in government, both locally and nationally. Certainly we should support the opposition to the Tory led referendum in October to change Croydon Council into a Mayoral system.  

My UNISON colleague Lola came second in the Kent Police and Crime commissioner election, doubling the Labour vote from the previous election & having the highest single candidate vote Labour has ever had in Kent. 

I was so pleased that Wales kept "Red" and Labour had one of its best ever assembly votes despite the very high Welsh brexit vote. Unlike the dreadful by election outcome in Hartlepool. 

Welsh Labour shows that we can win back our traditional working class base with a left of centre pragmatic socialist programme (and working in partnership with trade unions). 

Labour did well in many areas but overall it was not good and we need to get much better, we need to unite around Keir and get our policies across better. 

I did suggest at a recent meeting of UNISON Greater London Regional Council officers, where we compared the strong support for Labour in our region and the principality, that perhaps London ought to consider leaving the UK and forming a political union with Wales? It was just a thought....

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Elected unopposed! UNISON Greater London Regional Council officers team

 


I was really pleased today to find out that the existing Regional Council team for Greater London UNISON has been re-elected unopposed.

Yvonne Green as Regional Convenor, Conroy Lawrence as Deputy Convenor, myself as Finance Convenor, Cynthia Adjei as Equalities Convenor and Clara Mason as Publicity Convenor.


UNISON has 130,000 members in Greater London and 215 branches in local authorities, the NHS, Housing Associations, Voluntary sector, colleges and schools, universities, the electricity, gas and water industries, police services and transport and the voluntary sector. We are by far the largest union in London (and the country).

This is the second year in a row we have been elected unopposed as the lay leadership of UNISON in London (last year's election was decided in January so pre Covid).  I have actually held this position since 2007 (winning contested positions). 

Many, many thanks to our members for their vote of confidence in us. We will all work together as a convenor team to earn this trust.

(just to point out that the UNISON NEC elections for our National Executive Council is still on going and separate to the above. I am still standing for re-election for Community NEC and Clara for one of the London seats)

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Emergency Crime Scrutiny Meeting of Newham Council (5 May 2021)

The Chair of Crime Scrutiny, Councillor Daniel Lee-Phakoe, a father and local resident tells it as it is, about the recent tragic deaths of our young people in a meeting of police, senior council officers and politicians.

Full video of meeting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IWG-_VHkzc

Monday, May 10, 2021

Tony asks you to support Denise Thomas and John Gray for the UNISON Community NEC...

Tony is a housing worker and the Chair of the UNISON Greater London Housing Associations branch.

He is calling for Community members to support Denise and John in the current elections for the UNISON NEC and explains why.

Ballot papers have been sent to members home addresses.

Sunday, May 09, 2021

Walking in Otford, Kent

Off message. Last Sunday we drove to Otford for a marvellous 6 mile circular walk. It took 50 minutes but there is also a local train station. I had thought that I knew this part of Kent well, but this website https://kentwalksnearlondon.com/ was a real find. 

It was quite hilly for southern England but nothing too strenuous. Superb bluebell woods, great views and some secluded picnic spots.