My personal recommendations for all contested seats - UNISON NEC elections 2023

 

1.3 million ballot papers have been sent to the homes of UNISON members. Please vote in these elections, the future of the union is at stake. We need a NEC that will be a voice for all members, reject division, defeat this Government and stand together to make our union stronger.

Above are my personal recommendations for all the contested seats (some seats were elected unopposed). I have not sought the agreement of anyone to be in these recommendations. 

Everyone who has contested elections will have up to 3 ballot papers. You can vote for your regional reps (based on where you live), your Service Group (based on your job) and for National Black members and Disabled members seats (even if you do not consider yourself to be Black or Disabled). Please feel free to pass on this information. 

If individual members have not received a paper by 25 April 2023, 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.

UNISON NEC Elections 2023: Black Members seats

Excellent candidates. Annette is my fellow London Regional Council colleague, Ash and Manjula are respected activists and Mitsy was a valued member of our branch committee for many years. 

International Workers Memorial Day 2023: UNISON & Safety Advisors Honour the Dead & Work together for the Living

 

Today we held a simple but powerful remembrance ceremony to mark International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD 28 April). IWMD is supported by trade unions and responsible employers across the world to remember those who have died of accidents at work and from work related ill health. It is also a campaigning day to make all workplaces safer. 

This was organised by the London UNISON Housing Association branch members but supported also by a local GMB branch and professional safety advisers from Clarion & L&Q Housing associations.  These are the two largest "shops" in our branch. Wreaths from UNISON, Clarion and L&Q were laid. 

We met at the beautiful "Clasping Hands" statue in the historic Three Mills Green park in Stratford, East London. UNISON National Officer, Andrew Dobbie explained that at this very site in 1901 three workers sacrificed their lives, one after the other, in a ventilation shaft, trying to rescue another worker who had collapsed at the bottom of the shaft from fatal gases. Even the basic health & safety measures of the time had not been followed. I mentioned that this was not just an historic issue, in nearby Watney Market, Stepney in 1990 three workers were killed in a sewer in similar circumstances.

Other speakers spoke that even now, 2 workers per week, on average do not return home from work and the risk to UK health and safety if the Government goes ahead with plans to rescind european safety legislation. Another speaker spoke about the very recent 10th anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse which killed (manslaughter?) over 1100 worker in Bangladesh. 

Many thanks to the UNISON & GMB members (including a former London Assembly member and a former Council leader), national and regional officers, Councillors and the professional safety advisors for attending. I had apologies from many others and look forward to making this event even better next year. 

UNISON Housing Associations branch proudly nominates....

 

HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE UNISON NEC ELECTIONS 2023-2025! London Nominations by London Housing Associations branch

The UNISON NEC is the “Parliament” that helps run the union in between our annual National Delegate Conference. Ballot papers will have be sent to your home address. Your Branch Committee nominated the following candidates. 

"The UNISON Housing Associations Branch Committee nominated Sonya Howard, Eddie Brand, Abiola Kusoro and Anu Prashar, for the Greater London Region NEC Seats. 

The NEC is the most important National Committee in UNISON, we nominated these candidates as we believe they are the right people for the job. They are all experienced reps, from introducing the first menopause policy in London, to fighting for LGBT+ rights, to getting over the industrial action threshold, to leading the London Ambulance Service strike and winning for members. 

We nominated Sonya, Eddie, Anu and Abiola because they have committed to: 

• Fight discrimination and put equality at the heart of every decision • Tackle the Cost of Living Crisis – winning fair pay for all • Put London UNISON members first, not factional politics • Work with our first woman General Secretary, Christina McAnea, to make UNISON the strongest union. • Make sure every member gets high quality legal advice and representation when you need it most 

See below for our other National seat nominations: 

Black Members MANJULA KUMARI, ASH SILVERSTONE, MITSY HARMONRUSSELL 

Community Members JOHN GRAY, DENISE THOMAS

Disabled Members KATRINA MURRAY ANGELA HAMILTON"

HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE UNISON NEC ELECTIONS 2023-2025! Community Nominations by London Housing Associations branch

The UNISON NEC is the “Parliament” that helps run the union in between our annual National Delegate Conference. Ballot papers will be sent to your home address any day now. Your Branch Committee nominated the following candidates. Please see photos and statements why these Community & Greater London delegates were nominated.

Denise Thomas & John Gray

“Thank you again for nominating us for the NEC, as you know the election ballot papers are being sent out this week! 

As a nominating branch, you are able to let your members know who you nominated and why. This will really help our campaign and to get our message out. 

This is one of the most important elections in our union, but we all struggle in getting members to get involved. We have also both made a one minute video introducing ourselves and what we want to achieve if elected. You can share this video.

Denise Thomas https://youtu.be/fq6168G3c2c 

John Gray https://youtu.be/eUfR3sZ6cCI 

The UNISON Housing Associations Branch nominated Denise Thomas and John Gray because they have committed to: 

1. Putting UNISON Members first 

2. Representing members when they need help and support 

3. Winning better pay and decent pensions for all 

4. Fighting Cuts and Austerity 

5. 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 and branch is heard!

The UNISON Housing Associations Branch Committee also nominated Sonya Howard, Eddie Brand, Abiola Kusoro and Anu Prashar, for the Greater London Region NEC Seats. 

The NEC is the most important National Committee in UNISON, we nominated these candidates as we believe they are the right people for the job. They are all experienced reps, from introducing the first menopause policy in London, to fighting for LGBT+ rights, to getting over the industrial action threshold, to leading the London Ambulance Service strike and winning for members. 

We nominated Sonya, Eddie, Anu and Abiola because they have committed to: 

• Fight discrimination and put equality at the heart of every decision • Tackle the Cost of Living Crisis – winning fair pay for all • Put London UNISON members first, not factional politics • Work with our first woman General Secretary, Christina McAnea, to make UNISON the strongest union. • Make sure every member gets high quality legal advice and representation when you need it most 

See below for our other National seat nominations: 

Black Members MANJULA KUMARI, ASH SILVERSTONE, MITSY HARMONRUSSELL 

Disabled Members KATRINA MURRAY ANGELA HAMILTON

Workers Memorial Day: This Friday 28 April - UNISON wreath laying at 1pm at "Clasping hands" statute, Bow, E3

 

This year UNISON Housing Association Branch will be remembering those who have died at work due to accidents at work or from work related ill health & diseases. It is also a campaigning day to fight for the living at work and their health and safety.

We will holding a wreath laying event at the "Clasping Hands" statute in Three Mills Green, Stratford, London E3 3DU at 1pm on Friday 28 April 2023. We have held this event now for many years but hope to get a good turn out post Covid. 

This beautiful statue is near the site of a ventilation shaft where 4 workers died in 1900. 3 of them perished while heroically trying to rescue a fellow worker.

Local MP, Lyn Brown is attending and all trade unionists will be welcome as well as safety advisors and anyone else, genuinely interested in health and safety at work. 

Please bring your trade union and Labour movement banners.

UNISON members from the nearby L&Q Housing headquarters will be walking to the site beforehand. The wreath laying and talk about what happened here and why it is important should last no more than 30 minutes or so.

If you are unable to attend this event then check out the TUC website for events local to you or arrange with your employer to carry out a general walkabout safety inspection of your workplace looking for obvious hazards. It is also Stress Awareness month so check on stress risk assessment arrangements and occupational health support for workers.

UNISON NEC Elections - Vote for your Health Candidates Michelle, Pat, Gordon & James

Put UNISON members first, not factional politics. 

·         Work with our first woman General Secretary, Christina McAnea, to make UNISON the strongest union. 

·         Make sure every member gets high quality legal advice and representation when you need it most 

·         Fight discrimination and put equality at the heart of every decision

·         Tackle the Cost of Living Crisis- winning fair pay for all

Mitsy Harmon-Russell London Hospital worker

 

UNISON NEC Elections 2023: Recommendations

1.3 million ballot papers have started to drop at the homes of UNISON members. Please vote in these elections, the future of the union is at stake. We need a NEC that will be a voice for all members, reject division, defeat this Government and stand together to make our union stronger.

Above are my personal recommendations for all the contested seats (some were elected unopposed). I have not sought the agreement of anyone to be in these recommendations. 

Everyone who has contested elections will have up to 3 ballot papers. You can vote for your regional reps (based on where you live), your Service Group (based on your job) and for National Black members and Disabled members seats (even if you do not consider yourself to be Black or Disabled). Please feel free to pass on this information. 

 

Vote for Denise Thomas (& John Gray) for UNISON NEC

Denise is a Welsh care worker who is standing in the @Unison National Executive Council elections (NEC) which start 17 April 2023. This just over one minute intro by Denise is about why she is standing and what she wants to achieve if elected. UNISON members who work for Charities or Housing Associations (Called Community Service Group in UNISON) can vote for her. She is running with John Gray for the 2nd seats available. Check out further information https://www.facebook.com/JohnandDenis... https://www.oneunison.org/

Vote John Gray for UNISON NEC (& Denise Thomas)

John who is a housing worker is standing in the @Unison National Executive Council elections (NEC) which start 17 April 2023. This just over one minute intro by John is about why he is standing and what he wants to achieve if elected. UNISON members who work for Charities or Housing Associations (Called Community Service Group in UNISON) can vote for him. He is He is running with Denise Thomas for the 2nd seats available. Check out further information https://www.facebook.com/JohnandDenis... https://www.oneunison.org/

Voted for John Gray & Denise Thomas for UNISON NEC elections 2023

 

This morning my UNISON NEC ballot papers arrived at my home address.

I opened up the envelope and there was 2x candidate election statements, letter from our General Secretary, Christina McAnea encouraging us to vote, a pre paid return envelope and 2x ballot papers.

All UNISON members can vote for the national Black Members and Disabled seats. I voted for Annette HESLOP, Manjula KUMARI, Ash SILVERSTONE & Mitsy HARMON RUSSELL and then for Katrina MURRAY and Angela HAMILTON.

I work in London so had 4 votes for Regional seats. I voted for Anu PRASHAR, Sonya HOWARD, Eddie BRAND and Abiola KUSORO. 

Since I am a UNISON member who works for a Community organisation (Housing Associations, Voluntary sector and Charities) I voted for myself (John GRAY) and Denise THOMAS

I placed both ballot papers in the pre paid envelope and will post tomorrow via royal mail. 

If you work in a different region and for different types of employers you will have different choices. Check out recommendations how to vote elsewhere

https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2023/04/unison-nec-elections-2023-my-personal.html

UNISON NEC Elections 2023 - My personal recommendations for all contested seats

 

1.3 million ballot papers have started to drop at the homes of UNISON members. Please vote in these elections, the future of the union is at stake. We need a NEC that will be a voice for all members, reject division, defeat this Government and stand together to make our union stronger.

Above are my personal recommendations for all the contested seats (some were elected unopposed). I have not sought the agreement of anyone to be in these recommendations. 

Everyone who has contested elections will have up to 3 ballot papers. You can vote for your regional reps (based on where you live), your Service Group (based on your job) and for National Black members and Disabled members seats (even if you do not consider yourself to be Black or Disabled). Please feel free to pass on this information. 

UNISON NEC elections 2023: Vote for your 4 London Candidates - Eddie, Sonya, Abiola & Anu

 Sonya Howard, Eddie Brand, Abiola Kusoro and Anu Prashar, for the Greater London Region NEC Seats.

 

The NEC is the most important national committee in UNISON, we nominated these candidates as we believe they are the right people for the job. They are all experienced reps, from introducing the first menopause policy in London, to fighting for LGBT+ rights, to getting over the industrial action threshold, to leading the London Ambulance Service strike and winning for members. 

 

We nominated Sonya, Eddie, Anu and Abiola because they will:

 

·         Put London UNISON members first, not factional politics. 

·         Work with our first woman General Secretary, Christina McAnea, to make UNISON the strongest union. 

·         Make sure every member gets high quality legal advice and representation when you need it most 

·         Fight discrimination and put equality at the heart of every decision

·         Tackle the Cost of Living Crisis- winning fair pay for all

 Eddie Brand

We’re proud to nominate @EddieBrand for @Unison NEC. Read why we
nominated him:

✔ Eddie is an Emergency Medical Technician in @LAS working on the frontline
✔ Eddie leads the biggest UNISON branch in London, taking them out on strike to win a pay
rise for all members in the NHS
✔ He is experienced, has been on the NEC previously and will focus on winning for all members


Sonya Howard

We’re proud to nominate @nec_sonya for @Unison NEC. Read why we
nominated her �
✔ Sonya has worked in Local Government and as a Social Worker for thirty years
✔ Sonya has a strong track record on equalities, negotiating the first menopause policy in
London
✔ She is experience, has been on the NEC previously and work hard on behalf of all members


Anu Prashar

We’re proud to nominate @anuox for @Unison NEC. Read why we
nominated her �
✔ Anu is proud Local Government worker and Trading Standards officer
✔ Anu is an equality campaigner, Chair of the Regional LGBT+ committee and represents Black Members on the national committee
✔ She will make sure sure underrepresented voices are heard at at every level and keep
fighting for equality

 Abiola Kusoro

We’re proud to nominate @bkodunlami for @Unison NEC. Read why we
nominated her �
✔ Abiola works on the frontline caring for sick children at Great Ormond Street Hospital as
Catering staff
✔ Abiola knows first hand the impact of the Cost of Living crisis on Women and the Black
community
✔ She has been on the NEC previously, and will fight for all members to get a pay rise and for
those on the lowest pay to be a priority

UNISON NEC Elections 2023 - Vote Denise & John for Community

 

1.3 million ballot papers are being sent out to UNISON members homes from today via Royal mail. Please see the message that Denise and I have sent out to the 46 UNISON branches who have nominated us and who we have asked to circulate this message to their Community (who work in Charities and Housing Associations) Members (but not the above flyer).

Dear Branch Secretary

Once again, many thanks for your nomination of the both of us for Community NEC. The ballot papers are starting to go out Monday 17 April and we would be most grateful if you could send out to your members by your usual methods of communication our photos and hopefully the nomination statement below. This will be in accordance with UNISON rules.

We have also both made a 1 minute video introducing our self and what we want to achieve if elected.

Denise https://youtu.be/fq6168G3c2c

John https://youtu.be/eUfR3sZ6cCI

“This Branch is nominated Denise Thomas and John Gray in the UNISON National Executive Council elections to represent Community Female seat and General Seat. We did so because they are committed to:

1. Putting UNISON Members first
2. Representing members when they need help and support
3. Winning better pay and decent pensions for all
4. Fighting Cuts and Austerity
5. 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 and branch is heard.

Many thanks

Denise and John

Chiltern Society: Gade Valley Nature Walk

 

Last Saturday, Gill and I broke a journey from North Wales back to London by stopping off for this lovely 4 mile circular walk in the Chilterns. The weather Gods were kind to us and the walk itself was largely quiet and peaceful in beautiful surroundings with a few ups and downs to get the pulse going. 

I found the walk on the Ordnance Survey app (subscription) but it was submitted by the Chilterns Society. I and will post further pictures on our "walking around London" Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/walksinandaroundlondon

Vote Labour on Thursday May 4th 2023

 

While there are no elections in London on May 4th, in other parts of the UK there are Council elections in England and Northern Ireland. UNISON Labour link will be supporting candidates across England and I expect in the coming week to be out supporting UNISON members standing as Labour Candidates in Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire. 

Remember in the latest attempt by the Tories to "fix" the vote in their favour,  you will need photo ID for these elections. See UNISON's view on this https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2023/03/voter-id-is-the-governments-latest-threat-to-our-democracy/

UNISON NEC Elections 2023: Recommendations on National Seats

Hi

Denise and I support these recommendations by lay activists in these Self organised groups for the NEC election which will start next week. We will also be sending out soon a wider list of recommendations which will include candidates who have not sought or asked for any endorsement. 
 

Greater London Seats on the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC)

It is with great pleasure that I recommend Eddie, Sonya, Abiola and Anu as your candidates for the 4 regional London seats in our NEC elections. They are great comrades and union organisers. I have been in many difficult meetings, debates and picket lines with them. They are enthusiastic, intelligent and pragmatic activists who will do their level best for members and put their interests first and foremost. 

We cannot continue to have our NEC controlled by those who have openly supported misogynistic bullies, who have tried to sack our elected General secretary and have so divided our union, that at our national conference last year a vote of no confidence in them was carried (yet they still did not resign).

If you are a UNISON member and in Greater London region you can vote for all 4 of them. Ballot papers will start to drop at members homes from next Monday 17 April. 

Workers Memorial Day: Friday 28 April 2023

 

This year UNISON Housing Association Branch will be remembering those who have died at work due to accidents at work or from work related ill health & diseases. It is also a campaigning day to fight for the living at work and their health and safety.

We will holding a wreath laying event at the "Clasping Hands" statute in Three Mills Green, Stratford, London E3 3DU at 1pm on Friday 28 April 2023. We have held this event now for many years but hope to get a good turn out post Covid. 

This beautiful statue is near the site of a ventilation shaft where 4 workers died in 1900. 3 of them perished while heroically trying to rescue a fellow worker.

The local MP, Lyn Brown has been invited and all trade unionists will be welcome as well as Safety advisors and anyone else, genuinely interested in health and safety at work. 

Please bring your trade union and Labour movement banners.

UNISON members from the nearby L&Q Housing headquarters will be walking to the site beforehand. The wreath laying and talk about what happened here and why it is important should last no more than 30 minutes or so.

If you are unable to attend this event then check out the TUC website for events local to you or arrange with your employer to carry out a general walkabout safety inspection of your workplace looking for obvious hazards. It is also Stress Awareness month so check on stress risk assessment arrangements and occupational health support for workers.

Picture from 2022 with UNISON National officer Andrew Dobbie giving a wonderful historical tlak on what happened in 1901. 

UNISON NEC Elections 2023: Less than one week to go before 1.3 million ballot papers are sent out

 

Next Monday 17 April ballot papers should start dropping through the home letter boxes of 1.3 million UNISON members. 

These are really important elections and I would urge all UNISON members to Vote and unite our unison by supporting candidates, who put the interests of the union first and foremost. The present NEC Majority Group has been so dreadful that it actually lost a vote of no confidence in it last year (but still refused to resign). 

Denise and I are standing for the 2 Community National seats (for UNISON members who work in Housing Associations and the Voluntary sector)

I will be putting out personal recommendations for other seats over the next few days (and posting videos). 

Margaret Gray: A Tribute

We held the church service at St Mary's then buried Mum on Thursday in Denbigh Town cemetery. Many thanks to the Church, funeral directors and staff at the Guildhall for a wonderful service, funeral and wake. 

Also, to our family and friends, who came from near and far, to show respect, share our grief but also to celebrate Mum's life. A lot of laughter as well as tears. 

Special thanks to Matthew for his very special tribute to his Nain and also to Rachel and Hannah for sharing with us the privilege of being pallbearers. We had a special family time with David via Facetime across the pond in Arizona. 

I have been overwhelmed with kindness and understanding in person and online. Below is my tribute from the service to Mum. 

"I would like to thank everyone, family and friends, for being here today to help Helen, Lucy and I remember and also celebrate the life of our mother, Margaret Gray.

Mum was born Margaret “Matthews” in Denbigh in 1941. Daughter of Fredrick and Hannah. It was a large family by modern standards, she had 7 brothers and sisters

Joyce, David, Ann, Rose, Jean, Jim and Dan. Sadly most are now gone but we still have Auntie Ann and Auntie Rose with us today.

My Taid was a decorated hero in World War One, who met Nain when they both worked pre NHS in a local hospital. I believe that all the children at some point in their lives worked in the famous Denbigh hospital as nurses, administration staff, technical, porters, chiefs and drivers. Our Mum was a nurse there before she met our father Johnnie.

They married and set up home in Buckley where Mum juggled bringing us up with various jobs such as a secretary for a glazing company and then working for the motor tax in Mold. The family later moved along the north wales coast and ended up first in Holywell then Colwyn Bay. The marriage didn’t work out and she and Dad parted. She came back to Denbigh for several years before moving to an exceptional flat in Llys Awelon, Ruthin which she absolutely loved and which she relished decorating and tastefully furnishing.

Her children, her grandchildren Mathew, Hannah, Rachel, David and now her great grandchildren, Evan and Rohan, were most important to her but she also loved good food, her audio books, watching her telly, politics and buying bargains on the internet.

A few years ago in her 70s she had unexpectedly asked us for a iPad as her Christmas present. She had never previously shown much interest in the internet but within a little while she was up and running with internet banking and buying everything she needed online, especially if it was at a discount. Sometimes she would make the odd error and order 8 pairs of slippers instead of 1 but Helen would dutifully take back the returns on her weekly visits.

More seriously, I think it is important to bring up that life had been at times, very difficult for Mum and the wider family. Mum did suffer at times from mental health issues which impacted not only on her but also those who loved her.

The final chapter in Mums life was dominated by physical health problems and the 3 of us pay tribute to the staff at Llys Awelon and our NHS who cared for her until the very end.

The end came suddenly on March 14 but not unexpected, she passed peacefully in her sleep in her beloved home. Alas, she did not meet her ambition to outlive her own maternal Nain, who lived until she was 90. And I know Mum would be annoyed about that.

But the memory I will treasure is from September last year when we received the call from hospital that all families must dread. Please come to see your mum ASAP. Ironically it was the same day that it was announced that the late Queen Elizabeth was unwell. As I drove up from London I was convinced that both were already gone. However, despite being seriously ill, within 24 hours she was alert and awake, joking and gossiping with the 3 of and making plans to return to her home.

This is the memory I will cherish. So goodbye Mum. Thank you for the many, many good times and good bye".  

UNISON NEC elections: Voting Starts April 17th

 I think most people who follow this blog and my social media, know I am standing for the Community General Seat. My plea is that as many UNISON members vote as possible in these important elections. While my wish is to get rid of a majority NEC faction that lost a vote of No confidence in it (but refused to resign) at our sovereign National Conference. It is really important that members turn out and vote as a democratic principle. 

We have had tiny turnouts in the past and no wonder we get unrepresentative and dysfunctional representation (in my view) if only 5% of the membership participate.  So regardless of your views, UNISON members please VOTE. 

Mr Jones - Ukraine 1932 (and 2022) BBC iPlayer

 

Recently I watch this film on BBC iPlayer. This is about a Welsh  journalist, Gareth Jones, who exposed the "Holodomor" (Great famine)  in Ukraine during the 1930s. This famine killed millions and was caused either intentionally and/or  due to incompetence by Stalin, the Soviet Union dictator.  

Not an easy film to watch but will give you a greater under standing why Ukraine is fighting so bravely against Putin's invasion. 

New Music for the Matchgirls

 

New Music for the Matchgirls

Hello All,

 

This year marks the 135th anniversary of the Matchgirls Strike! We thought you would be interested to hear of some new music inspired by the Matchgirls story. 

 

We are very excited to announce our upcoming project, 'Striking Sparks: The Story of the Matchgirls'. In partnership with East London Music Group, we will premiere 'A Fair Field' by Jonathan Pease, in an evening of music in the Great Hall of the People's Palace at QMUL, telling the story of the 1888 Matchgirls Strike.

We will be welcoming East London Community Band, Aldersbrook Community Choir, Poplar Singers, and Victoria Park Singers to join us, along with a new children's choir, in what promises to be an epic performance. Look out for more info about the project over the next few weeks, on both our and the ELMG social media channels. See attachment, and you can get your tickets at EVENTBRITE.

 

We are also delighted to be running a local schools poetry competition for the second year running. The winning entrants will read their poems at the concert.

Best regards, 

 

Sam and Graham

 

Samantha and Graham Johnson

Founding Trustees

The Matchgirls Memorial

matchgirls1888statue@gmail.com |  www.matchgirls1888.org  

Newham Voices - April 2023

 

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