Newham Council bi-monthly Rough Sleeping Count 30.9.22

At Newham London Dockside Building after a briefing & about to go out for midnight start of latest bi-monthly Rough Sleeping count. Council officers, outreach workers, volunteers and Councillors sent out in teams to various parts of the borough to count the number of Rough Sleepers visible on Newham streets.

Even after all these years it is still shocking to see people sleeping outdoors on cold concrete floors near busy roads. Many thanks for all the hard work by @ajithasajeev & team

"Levelling up net zero:How can we invest in a fair and just transition" Fringe #Lab22

 This is the presentation I gave on Monday at the LAPFF/the Smith Institute fringe alongside panel speakers, Olivia Blake MP and Professor Nick Robins. Chaired by Paul Hackett. Many thanks to Paul Hunter from PIRC for speaker notes.

"First for context a bit about me, I am John Gray a councillor in Newham, East London and Unison rep and through these roles I have been involved in local government pensions for a number of years.

This includes being vice-chair of the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF), which is a membership organisation representing over 80 public sector pension funds and investment pools.

Together our members have over £350 billion of assets under management and have holdings in many of the largest companies within the UK but also globally.

And across our pension funds, there are millions of scheme members who serve or have served our communities who rely on our investment funds to provide a pension in retirement. I included.

The role of LAPFF is to protect these pension fund investments by engaging with investee companies on responsible investment issues, including around climate and social issues such as employment standards and human rights.

So why I am here and why as investors are we interested in issues around the environment, levelling up, and social issues associated with the transition to net zero?

For us these issues are not just a matter of good corporate behaviour for its own sake, but also protecting the pension funds that provide for millions of people.

To give an example of what I mean, LAPFF recently visited Brazil to meet communities and discuss with one of the world’s largest mining companies the mining disasters that have happened in South America over the last decade.

These disasters were a human tragedy. Over the period a series of (what are called) tailing dams used in the mining process have failed, submerging people under a wave of water and mud with a significant loss of life, livelihoods decimated, and communities destroyed.

It is impossible not to be affected by stories we have heard by community members.

However, while quite clearly primarily a human disaster it is also an issue for us as investors. We want to act as long-term responsible investors. And when disasters like these happen it not only undermines our purposes as responsible investors, it also comes at considerable costs with reparations and the clean up running into multiple billions of pounds.

And when you look at this example, one of the most galling components was that it was avoidable – safety concerns were raised by workers and communities before the tragedies but were ignored.

I wanted to start with this example not only to show what I mean by the importance of environmental, social and employment standards for long-term investors but also because the mining sector provides a very good case study for today’s discussion.

It is an industry in transition – it is having to power past coal as part of our move away from carbon intensive energy sources and industrial processes.

And it is vital sector for so-called transition minerals – cobalt, lithium, nickel and the like – which are all needed in green technology such as electric vehicles.

Without mining activity for such transition minerals, decarbonising our economy won’t be possible and as long-term investors we face significant market-wide risks from climate change. And at an individual company level we run the risk of being invested in stranded assets and in firms left behind as regulation ratchets up.

In the mining sector we also have a pretty good case study in the UK context of how not to do an industrial transition. We know all to well what happens when we don’t consider the implications for workers and communities and social dislocation that can follow. Olivia mentioned the coalfields in South Yorkshire in the 1980s, I was brought up in industrial North East Wales at the same time while we are of course now in Liverpool, which took decades to recover.

And in the case of mining disasters, the lack of engagement between companies and their stakeholders that I mentioned creates their own set of risks.

Although I have used mining as an example, the transition is likely to have significant impacts across a whole range of sectors – energy, utilities, manufacturing, housing, agriculture, transport – to name a few. While mining in the UK may have declined over recent decades, these other sectors are all large industries in the UK and are all now in period of change.

And in this period of change, if we repeat the mistakes of the past and ignore the social implications of the industrial transition, we will almost certainly create deep-seated opposition to climate action. This morning we woke up to the news that a far right government has been elected in Italy in part due to such fears.

This includes potential opposition within specific communities because of the geographical dimension to achieving net zero.

Carbon intensive sectors are often located in the least wealthy places and regions and so are facing the biggest adverse impacts of the transition.

But, it’s not all doom and gloom. The transition comes with risks but there are real opportunities. We have the chance to create new jobs, support local growth and bolster efforts to level up the country while also helping to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

What this does demand is careful consideration about how we can best support communities as we decarbonise our economy. How we can level up net zero.

As investors we have a role in this: Scrutinising and engage investee companies on how they are approaching the social implications. Understanding how they are engaging workers and communities on industrial change, their plans for retraining and redeploying staff as jobs change and how they are supporting the communities in which they operate through the transition.

But investors and companies can’t do it alone. Government clearly plays the primary role, including in supporting and demanding us to do more. That is why we supported an inquiry into a just transition run by the All Party Parliamentary Group for local authority pension funds and a copy of the report is on our website.

Much of what that inquiry heard suggests there has to be a firm commitment to a just transition from governments. In the UK context there is a strong case for a Just Transition Commission to bring stakeholders together and provide guidance, including on what interventions are needed to support local economies and communities over the coming decades.

As the levelling up white paper mentions, there could be a role for local authority pension funds to invest locally to support growth. But the feedback from our members is that this requires policy certainty. As long-term investors, without certainty it is hard to make local investments in the transition or understand the social implications.

There is also regulation that could help. It is a positive step that government recently introduced rules requiring large companies to consider the risks and opportunities they face as a result of climate change. These TCFD reporting requirements compel companies to disclose this information in a clear and consistent way so investors can understand their financial exposure to climate risk.

However, currently this does not have to include the social risks associated with the transition. Be it push back on their climate transition plans, workforce and skills issues of the transition, the impacts on stakeholders such as communities or managing reputational and operational risks with employers, consumers, suppliers or communities.

Considering the social implications is not an impossible task. Indeed, some companies are already starting to develop just transition plans. Energy company SSE, for example, have a just transition plan covering engagement with workers and communities, making a commitment to decent work and the creation of new low-carbon job, sharing value with communities and having a road map for an orderly and planned transition for their business.

Achieving that orderly transition is not a straightforward task.

We are all too aware of the pressures to water down environmental regulations in the face of the energy crisis.

And I think this an important point to finish on.

More broadly, in whatever role we play as investors, government, politics or civil society, if we don’t consider the social and economic impacts for communities of the transition to net zero, we will face opposition to climate action.

Preventing that ultimately demands that we all play our part, including businesses and the investment community, in ensuring the shift to net zero is part of the solution and not part of the problem when it comes to narrowing economic divides and levelling up the UK".

Labour Party Conference 2022 - Monday morning run

 An early morning run before conference in wet and windy Liverpool. I came across some local lads.

Labour Party Conference 2022 - Sunday PM

 

A rather random collection of photos from the first afternoon and evening of conference. With picture from an excellent fringe in support of Ukraine with its UK ambassador as well as David Lammy MP and John Healey MP. I asked a question how can we can encourage local Labour Parties to engage with their Ukrainian and East European communities? 

I went also to a fringe addressed by our UNISON General Secretary, Christina McAnea, on fixing the social care crisis. As well as the Labour Unions (TULO) fringe where our former vice President Sian Stockham, spoke about her life experiences as a low paid care worker. As did later Labour Deputy leader (and former care worker) Angela Rayner MP. 

I visited various receptions and fringes in the evening but had a relatively early night since I had to prepare for being on a pension panel the following day. 

Labour Party Conference 2022 - Sunday Morning

Following the London reception yesterday evening I had a (non keto) pizza with UNISON colleagues then a relatively early night. Up for a early morning run along the Mersey, back for breakfast then UNISON delegation meeting at 9.30am.

Conference started with a tribute to the late Queen, followed by a minutes silence and the singing of National Anthem . A first in my experience at a Labour Conference but I understood that the predecessor union of UNISON - NALGO,  used to finish their conferences with a rendition of the Anthem.

First agenda item was a "Welcome to Liverpool" by MP for Wallasey, Angela Eagle. Next was a short introduction by Chair, Alice Perry, followed by Conference Arrangement Committee report and questions; Obituaries and classic barn storming speech by deputy leader Angela Rayner MP. Great to hear the commitment to insourcing of public services. 

General Secretary, David Evans report included the welcome news that the party had no deficit or debts. Party Chair Anneliese Dodds MP gave the Women and Equalities report followed by debate on motions from Women's Conference; A healthy finance report by outgoing Treasurer Diana Holland; a wonderful Merit & Best Practice; Local Government report by the new Leader of Labour LGA Cllr Shaun Davies & last speaker, Joe Fortune, General Secretary of the Co-operative Party. 

We then adjourned late (and missed the lunch time fringes). 

I hope to make a number of posts on conference as and when. 

"A Fresh Start with Labour" 'Lab22 Conference

Labour Party annual conference starts tomorrow but I came down today to Liverpool to attend the London Labour  Evening Reception and be ready as a UNISON Labour Link delegate for our first pre conference meeting early tomorrow morning. 

At the London reception there was some great speeches by Labour Leader Keir Starmer and deputy Leader, Angela Rayner. Followed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan. 

It was really nice to meet up with delegates from all over London, some of whom I had not met for years due to Covid. Plenty of gossip as always but also lots of positive political discussion and future campaigning planning. Some of went for a (none keto) Pizza afterwards followed by a drink at the Jury Inn Hotel Bar after which I crashed out to prepare for conference and an early start tomorrow. 

West Ham Labour informal social with Lyn Brown MP

Just back form a very pleasant evening with comrades from West Ham at the Black Lion pub in Plaistow (one of the oldest in Newham). Our local MP Lyn Brown was there and a wide mix of members enjoying drinks and pre Labour Party conference gossip. 

Since both local Labour Parties in Newham are currently suspended this gathering was entirely informal and apologies to any members who did not receive an invite. We hope to arrange the next social in late October at a local community centre and organise food and entertainment.  

The Gresford Colliery Disaster - 22 September 1934

 

Today is the 88th anniversary of the Gresford Disaster which killed 266 Men (and boys). I was brought up in another former coal mining town about 10 miles away and remember learning as a child, the poem below. 

It is telling that I can still remember most of the words of this poem from decades ago (but I still cannot remember my mobile phone number). 

Such a huge death toil from a single industrial "accident" (see the very good https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gresford_disaster account) is simply unbelievable nowadays but this was not the worse loss of life in a coal mine. 

My father was a City and Guilds trained electrician and he told me that he was once tempted to give up his job in a local aircraft factory to go down the Pit because the money was slightly better. He went on a visit down a local mine and came back swearing he would never, ever work in a coal mine. 

You've heard of the Gresford disaster,

The terrible price that was paid,

Two hundred and forty-two colliers were lost

And three men of a rescue brigade.

It occurred in the month of September,

At three in the morning, that pit

Was racked by a violent explosion

In the Dennis where gas lay so thick.

The gas in the Dennis deep section

Was packed there like snow in a drift,

And many a man had to leave the coal-face

Before he had worked out his shift.

A fortnight before the explosion,

To the shot-firer Tomlinson cried

"If you fire that shot we'll be all blown to hell!'

And no one can say that he lied.

The fireman's reports they are missing,

The records of forty-two days;

The colliery manager had them destroyed

To cover his criminal ways.

Down there in the dark they are lying,

They died for nine shillings a day.

They have worked out their shift and now they must lie

In the darkness until Judgement Day.

The Lord Mayor of London's collecting

To help both our children and wives,

The owners have sent some white lilies

To pay for the poor colliers' lives.

Farewell, our dear wives and our children,

Farewell, our old comrades as well.

Don't send your sons down the dark dreary pit,

They'll be damned like the sinners in hell.

A trade unionist reading list

Hat tip UNISON Learning & @LondonNurse "A few weeks ago one of our UNISON learning reps asked us if there was a ‘reading list’ of recommended books with a trade union angle. Well, there wasn’t… so we asked on social media, and UNISON members, activists, staff, and allies all gave us brilliant suggestions. So here they are.

As with any reading list, some of these books will resonate with you, while with others you’ll wonder how they ended up on the list in the first place. They’ll all reflect, in one way or another, the time and the place in which they were written, and many of them inevitably deal with themes of hardship and struggle and include distressing scenes. But each of these books has had something to say to a fellow trade unionist about work, about the fight for justice, or about the world in which we live and organise.

At the very top of the list was Robert Tressell’s The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. A couple of people suggested The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. And John Steinbeck was also named several times. UNISON learning workforce development organiser Kirsi Kekki was one of several people to recommend The Grapes of Wrath, and In Dubious Battle was also mentioned.

More recent books included Two Caravans by Maryna Lewycka and Iron Council by China Miéville. For sci-fi fans, Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed is also a classic.

From the nineteenth century, Elizabeth Gaskell’s Mary Barton and North and South both have a lot to say about labour relations, while Charles Kingsley’s Alton Locke is set during the Chartist campaign. Lynn Ferguson recommended Germinal by Emile Zola.

Moving into the twentieth century, Jack London with a popular choice, with members suggesting The Iron Heel and People of the Abyss. The Citadel by A. J. Cronin and We Live by Lewis Jones are both set in Welsh mining communities and first published in the 1930s. From the same period is Lewis Grassic Gibson’s trilogy A Scots Quair, of which the second two books deal with the 1926 General Strike and the Great Depression. Later in the twentieth century there’s Alan Sillitoe’s Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. And one commenter said, ‘Gil Scott-Heron’s “The N… Factory” is a masterclass in political dilemmas and difficult political decisions in the face of crushing oppression.’

Some historical novels have a trade union angle, too. Strumpet City by James Plunkett is set during the Dublin lockout of 1913, while Sarah Waters’ Tipping The Velvet moves through various milieux of turn-of-the-century London including the organising world and the campaign for the vote.

There were plenty of non-fiction recommendations, too. Lynn Ferguson said, “When I was teaching a UNISON Return to Learn course around 20 years ago I gave one of my students Huw Beynon’s Working for Ford as part of the research project module.”

Others suggested:

Poor People’s Movements by Francis Fox Piven

This Is An Uprising by Max and Paul Engler

Why Civil Resistance Works by Erica Chenoweth

Life As We Have Known It: By Co-Operative Working Women, ed. Margaret Llewelyn Davies

The Making of the English Working Class by E.P. Thompson

Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell

100 Years of Labor in the USA by Daniel Guerin

The History of the Working Class by G.D.H. Cole

The History of Ruskin College by Harold Pollins

Union Man by Jack Jones

Labor’s Giant Step by Art Preis.

And one commenter suggested: Go on http://tuc.org.uk/publications and use the filter in the left hand side for non-fiction.

Don’t forget poetry! We also had a recommendation for ‘Anything by the Newcastle Poetry Collective on the perils of work’

Happy reading! Let us know how you get on – and, if you have anything else to add to this reading list, you can get in touch with us by emailing learningandorganising@unison.co.uk".

Labour Party Conference 2022 (& plug for fringe ‘Levelling up net zero: How can we invest in a fair and just transition?’)

 

Labour Party conference starts on Sunday in Liverpool and I am looking forward to being one of the two elected UNISON Labour Link delegates for Greater London. I will post when I can.

However, quick plug with a different hat for a fringe I will be speaking at on behalf of the Local Government Pension Fund Forum. 

Levelling up net zero: How can we invest in a fair and just transition?’

Labour Party Conference fringe meeting

Monday 26 September at 12:30 to 13:30

Hall 2, Room 4, ACC Liverpool

CHAIR 

·         Paul Hackett, Director, the Smith Institute

SPEAKERS

·         Olivia Blake MP, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Net Zero

·         Professor Nick Robins, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, LSE

·         Cllr John Gray, Vice-Chair, Local Authority Pension Fund Forum

Service of Thanksgiving at West Ham Church for Queen Elizabeth

 

This morning I went to a "Service of Thanksgiving" for the late Queen at  the historic, All Saints Church, in the ward I represent as an elected Councillor, West Ham, in Newham London. I was with the representative for the West Ham Parliamentary Constituency, Lyn Brown MP and the Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE.  

It was a wonderful service. A mixture of tradition possessions, hymns and prayers alongside more modern music performances.  During which Mayor Fiaz gave a Tribute and Lyn Brown MP, a Reading. It was in all a fitting way to honour the late Queen, who was very much a traditionalist but also kept up with the times. 

At the end of the service, for the first time, I sung "God Save the King", which did seem very strange at first but by the end it seemed more natural. The sight of young children from the church creche jumping up and down and dancing with excitement during the national anthem brought a smile to my face. I am sure that King Charles III would not mind. 

Afterwards I signed the book of condolences and thanked the Queen for her long public service. While I have explained previously my personal belief in constitutional reform, I  have nothing but respect for Queen Elizabeth. A dedicated, tireless public servant, who has served this nation in peace and war, for the past 96 years.

Nesil and Tudor for Labour Party NEC

 

Last week I finally got around to voting on line in the Labour Party elections for Councillor representatives on our National Executive Council (NEC). 

More than happy to vote for and endorse Nesil (Long standing London UNISON member) and Tudor. 

Check out their website here  https://www.nesilandtudorfornec.com/

"Dear John,

The main ballot for this year's Labour Party internal elections has now concluded. However, members of the Association of Labour Councillors, directly elected mayors, and Police & Crime Commissioners are eligible to elect a further two representatives to the National Executive Committee (NEC).

Please click here to vote. Once you've logged in you will be able to read the candidates' statements so you can see who they are, what they stand for, and what their ideas for the future are. Voting is easy - just a few clicks.

The NEC is the governing body of the Labour Party. It sets strategic objectives on an annual basis and meets regularly to review the work of the party alongside Keir and Angela.

Voting closes at noon on Thursday 22 September. You will not be able to cast your ballot after this time.

I would like to thank every candidate who has put themselves forward. Our Party is enriched by people stepping up, and it's been great to see such a good-natured campaign so far so
please do have a look at the candidates who have worked so hard in this election.

Yours sincerely

David Evans
General Secretary

UPDATE: BOTH ELECTED!

Covid Booster and Flu Jabs

 

Today I had my Covid vaccination booster (my 4th jab) in my right arm and a flu jab in my left. This was following a text to my phone asking me to book an appointment. 

So far, no side effects. 

This was at my local GP practice and I did question why I was being offered a Covid booster so soon (age 59 and no underlying health conditions) but was told "we have the vaccines so lets use them". Which seems fair enough. 

While in the very short queue for the jab. I did notice the plaque on the wall of the practice, remembering my GP, Doctor Yusuf Patel, who had looked after me since 1993. 

He sadly died of Covid related ill health in 2020. 

Maybe this is one reason why the practice is being so pro active about booster vaccinations. 

Building the Baseline: Breaking the Class Barrier

 

I am part of the taskforce (which is now winding down) from the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF). If we continue to prevent talented working class employees from senior positions in our financial services industry then this will have an impact on the long term performance of our funds (never mind everything else!)

"First of its kind report highlights stark lack of socio-economic diversity across senior leadership in UK financial and professional services sector. 64% of senior leaders in UK financial and professional services are from higher socio-economic backgrounds. How does this compare to your workforce? Are you collecting the data? 

Here's why it matters. UK financial and professional services are out of kilter with the rest of the economy and are unrepresentative of the communities they serve. These inequalities not only threaten the productivity and competitiveness of the sector, but they reinforce existing inequalities and opportunities for the UK to thrive. This is a threat to businesses as it means that vital talent is being missed in the sector, especially at senior leadership level. 

I am proud to be a part of the Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce and help contribute to this report and champion socio-economic diversity in the industry. I encourage other businesses to collect employee data on socio-economic background, setting stretching targets and monitoring progress towards ensuring a level playing field for all.   

To read the full report please follow the link. #WhoGetsAhead "

Pay Your Pension Some Attention - brought to you by Big Zuu

I have posted a lot on pensions over the years but never thought I would share a grime artist/rapper (& chef) views on the subject? 

Check out https://www.pensionattention.co.uk/

Big Zuu says listen up! It's time to Pay Your Pension Some Attention! Find out more about why pensions matter at www.pensionattention.co.uk and hear more from Big Zuu Follow us for more 📢 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Pensi... Twitter: https://twitter.com/PensionAttn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pensionattn/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pensionattention ---- Lyrics I never thought when I was a young youte sitting in detention That I’ll be talking about pensions You gotta pay your pension some attention I try put the young gs in the right direction Let’s change the perception It’s alright for you to ask questions I know it aint suttm you will do with ya bredrins Can’t wait till its mentioned Think about your future intentions You give your self money if you make the connection Invest in yourself later you will have the protection All I’m tryna say is think If you make that link From yourself you can make one drink It all comes straight from what you bring I know its long we don’t think it’s a thing Don’t think they don’t want you involved Gotta change up the ones that’s in

Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang Windmill Walk

Another great walk from this summer that I haven't managed so far to post. It is a 8 mile 4 hour (Orange graded) circular Pathfinder walk in the Chilterns - Ibstone, Turville and Fingest. Not public transport friendly I am afraid. 

A quiet and rather remote walk through lovely rolling countryside, including sight of the wonderful Cobstone Windmill, which was used as a film location for one of my favourite films from my childhood "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang". 

I will post more pictures from the walk on Facebook. 

Goodbye and thank you Queen Elizabeth

Yesterday I was driving from London to North Wales, due to a family medical emergency (my Mum) when I heard the news that the Queen was unwell and that members of her immediate family had been called to her bedside in Balmoral, Scotland.

When I heard about the disruption to Parliamentary business caused by the news of her ill health, I thought this was very serious and maybe she had already passed away.

I also thought that maybe, the call for my family members to rush to a North Wales A&E meant a similar outcome for my mother.

However, my 81 year old Mum, although still very poorly, has so far responded well to fantastic NHS medical attention and treatment, while of course, our 96 year old Queen, sadly passed away.

As a convinced republican, I do not believe in a hereditary monarch being our Head of State, but I have nothing but respect for Queen Elizabeth. A dedicated, tireless public servant, who has served this nation for at least the last 70 years.

The picture below is a famous one, which is the earliest memory I have of the late Queen. I cannot remember, where or when I first saw it.

While I wish that the great British Public will some time in the future, decide not to inflict the huge pressures of becoming head of state on the royal family, there seems little or no likelihood of this happening any time soon.

So, I wish our future King Charles 111, my condolences on his very sad loss, good luck and all the best for the future as our King and head of state (while if he changes his mind about the role of the monarchy, then give us a bell)

Love to learn - National TUC Education courses 2022/23

 TUC Education courses - 2022/23

It's not too late to sign up for courses running in your area from September 2022. You can now sign up for courses running in 2023 as well.

Our courses offer essential training for reps and help you develop your skills.

 
Scotland
Northern Region
North West Region
Yorkshire and the Humber Region
Midlands Region
London, East and South East Region
South West Region
Wales

We are still in the process of adding new courses over the coming weeks so please keep checking the site at https://www.tuc.org.uk/TUCcourses

If you know of other reps who don't receive these updates from TUC Education, they can sign up here.

Liz is our leader

 

Weird day. Glad Boris is gone but what on earth will Truss be like? Love this tweet by sacked Tory Ministers wife about their new leader. Hope it is not fake :-)

Felicity Cornelius-Mercer

@mercer_felicity

He asked her ‘why would you do this, who is going to be better at this role than me, which of your mates gets the job, you promised a meritocracy?’ PM - I can’t answer that Johnny This system stinks & treats people appallingly Best person I know sacked by an imbecile

@trussliz

Across the Red Line - Can going on strike any longer be justified?

I really enjoyed this defence of the right to strike by former General Secretary of the CWU (Royal Mail union) and Labour Home Secretary, Alan Johnson. He was in a Radio 4 debate with a right wing economist who believed that workers should not be allowed to break their employment contracts by going on strike (but confusingly he believed they could in periods of rapid inflation? Such as now?). 

You can hear the podcast here https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001b40r

Alan, was as always, a great communicator and articulated non sectarian powerful arguments in favour of the right to strike. 

Today I have been in touch with comrades in the CWU about supporting the Royal Mail strikes later this week. 

You can get copies of Alan's autobiographies here