Sadiq's Free School Meals

Yet another reason to Vote Labour in London on May 2 (and imagine if we had more Labour Mayors with similar Executive powers elsewhere). 

 

Housing inflation is nuts

 

Hat tip to my "Facebook Friend" Jenny Schramm.

*Just had a Quick Look and calculation, average wage was around £100 a year, meaning the house price was 5x the average wage at the time. Currently the average wage is £28,000 a year and a three bedroom house on Denby Rd Stockport is worth around £400,000 which is 14x the average wage.*

People have asked her when this poster dates from which she has not answered but the best guesses are sometime in the 1930s.

Why is it that I was one of the few to work in my North London housing team,who actually lived in North London? The reason was I was able to buy a one bedroom flat in 1989 when housing was relatively affordable. There is no way that the majority of my colleagues could afford to buy a similar property on their current wages in London. Nevermind a 3 bed semi. 

The leaning tree of Wanstead Park

 

This picture is from a few weeks back. One of my favourite trees.  I wonder how long it will last? 

Change only happens when people vote 🗳️

 

Change only happens when people vote Voting by post is quick, easy and secure.  Your postal vote lasts up to three years and ballot papers will be sent to you automatically before an election. Apply today.

Apply by 17 April for #2May elections

https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/postal-voting

UNISON Labour Link Officer report: GLR Housing Associations branch AGM 2024

Tomorrow is my UNISON branch AGM and I have submitted (late) my written report below as the branch Labour Link officer. I will also make a verbal report at the AGM and take any questions. 

""Labour Link" is part of UNISON and it is a political fund that supports the Labour Party which all members can choose to support. It also campaigns and lobbies the Labour Party to adopt UNISON policies. Trade unions helped form the Labour Party and we are all part of a wider "Labour movement family". 

 There are around 1000 members of our branch who are members of the UNISON Labour Link and many are also members of the Labour Party. Our branch Labour Link members are delegates to local Labour Parties, they campaign on behalf of the Party and attend conferences and other events. Labour Link also holds training sessions for members interested in becoming Councillors or even MPs.

In the last year, we have organised Labour Link members to go and support Labour Party candidates in the recent successful Parliamentary by elections. We have also started campaigning for the Labour Party in the forthcoming General and London Mayoral elections. 

In particular we are explaining to members and voters about the importance of the Labour Party's "New Deal for Working People", which if they are elected will result in employment rights against unfair dismissal from day one, a real "living wage" for all and introduction of fair pay agreements, the banning of zero hour contacts and of fire & rehire (and many, many other worker friendly policies).

The next major elections will be on 2 May 2024. UNISON member Sadiq Khan is restanding as London Mayor, while many other UNISON members are candidates in London Assembly seats and in council elections outside London. Please contact me if you wish to join our Labour Link campaign teams (either in person, talking to voters, leafleting or telephone phone banks).

It is very important that Labour has a good result on May 2 since this could even result in the Conservatives calling a general election sooner rather than later and we can start to rebuild our nation with progressive policies such as "New Deal".

John Gray
Branch Labour Link Officer

(Picture of Labour Deputy Leader (and former UNISON activist) Angela Rayner MP speaking about "New Deal" at recent Community conference attended by branch delegates).

UNISON Community Annual Seminar & Conference 24 - Day 1 "Supporting organising in Community Hybrid Workplaces"

Belated report from my speech at day one of UNISON National Community Conference earlier this month. I was moving an amendment to motion 1.

"Conference, Vice President, John Gray, moving amendment 1.1 on behalf of the SGE.

May I start by congratulating my London sister branch C&V org for this really important motion and make it clear from the off, that this is intended to be a friendly amendment by your SGE, intended to improve and expand the motion.

Also, to be absolutely clear, while there are real and significant challenges to organising in a hybrid workplace but there are enormous opportunities as well.

Now, community member employers come in all shapes and sizes. Let me tell my story. My employer, a very large housing association, has 4000 employees spread all over England in every single unison region, with 24 different offices and 100s of smaller workplaces such as caretaking lock ups, hostels or warden controlled sheltered housing blocks. A majority of staff are now, to a lesser or greater degree, hybrid workers, including most of our unison reps.

Pre covid pandemic, it was incredibly hard for our stewards to organise across this fragmented and geographical diverse workforce.

As dreadful as the pandemic was, it has resulted in an opportunity for us to organise effectively, to hold regular virtual meetings of reps, with national officers, with members. We are going through our annual pay claim and have had planning and consultation meetings with 90% of reps attending and participating in “real time”. Pre pandemic we really struggled to get reps to meet centrally.

Recently there has been a proposed restructure of our IT department potentially impacted over 150 workers who are based in London, Norwich, Plymouth, and Manchester. We were able to organise 2 virtual well attended open meetings with these workers and undertook a series of collective and collaborative online meetings and teams messaging to put together constructive challenge and counter proposals intended to save jobs and conditions but also improve the service. Again, this would have so difficult to have organised in the past.

It is not all good, especially for younger workers, who may be living in a privately rented HMO and don’t have a spare room but are expected somehow to work from their bedroom with a laptop, literally, on their lap.

The best technology is frankly no real substitute for face-to-face meeting and personal conversations and there will always remain a vital role for in-person meetings and representation.

Conference, the necessary debate about the pros and cons of home working is sometimes framed as “all or nothing”. You are expected to think it either the best thing since sliced bread or some sort of an evil conspiracy by big tech.

We know it is more complicated than this.

Conference, please support this amendment and the motion as amended. Let’s get organised in all our workplaces, in person… virtual and hybrid.

Remember we are not just individual volunteers, we are a collective and we do our best as a collective when we work effectively and truly represent all union members. Conference I move".

Vote Sadiq, Vote Labour: Out & about with Lyn Brown MP in West Ham & Custom House

 

This morning I went to my Councillor advice surgery and met with residents concerned with overcrowding and a 2nd stage appeal over travel provision. Afterwards,  I met up with my ward colleagues, activists and our MP, Lyn Brown, to knock on doors of nearby West Ham ward residents. 

We were trying to three things. Firstly, ask them whether or not they would be supporting Sadiq to be our London Mayor on May 2nd (and the other Labour candidates). Second, whether or not they would be voting Labour in the next General election and thirdly did they have case work issues they wanted to bring up with Lyn or local Councillors. 

The canvass went really well, as far as I could tell. Positive responses from residents and the few "undecided" still seemed positive and engaged. 

Unusually, I did not pick up any new case work but was stopped in the street by two constituents who had organised a petition to relocate a local bus stop due to ASB issues. We discussed the case and also that I had presented the petition to the Full Council meeting on Monday. 

Lyn and I left early to join activists in Custom House for another canvass. 

Newham Labour activists have been out today in various parts of the borough and will also be out tomorrow. A car load of Newham activists have also been out to support marginal seats outside London. 

As well as supporting Sadiq, we are also supporting our local City & East Assembly candidate, Unmesh Desai and the "list" candidates, including Newham's own, James Beckles who is 4th in line to be elected (it is a complicated system - check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_London_Assembly_election) 

"Wanstead Flats at War: An illustrated talk" - Sat 11 May, 5pm

 

Takes Place: 11th May 2024

Time: 4pm

Venue: St Gabriel’s Church, Park Road, Aldersbrook, London E12 5HH

Description: To mark Local and Community History Month the Friends of St Gabriel's invite you to an illustrated talk by Mark Gorman and Peter Williams. The event features the launch of the Aldersbrook and Lake House Heritage Scheme Doors open at 4pm with refreshments available to purchase and the chance to browse history stalls and view the newly catalogued church archive. Talk starts at 5pm

How to book: https://st-gabriels-church.sumupstore.com/product/wanstead-flats-at-war-talk

Price: £5

Email: g.brewis@ucl.ac.uk

Website: https://st-gabriels-church.sumupstore.com/product/wanstead-flats-at-war-talk

Organiser: Friends of St Gabriel's

Lecturer: Mark Gorman and Peter Williams

(Will definitely go if I can. Think photo is back drop of what is now called Jubilee pond)

UNISON London Labour Link Regional Forum 2024 - Vote Sadiq Khan & Labour in May

 

Brilliant picture of delegates to our 2024 regional forum, who are supporting the Labour Party "New Deal for Working People" campaign promise.

This was a hybrid meeting held in the National UNISON centre. 

Speakers included the UNISON London Regional Secretary, Jo Galloway; Current Assembly members Len Duvall & Sem Moema; Eddie from Labour Unions on New Deal; Mark Ferguson, our Labour Link national secretary. 

We also had contributions from new London Assembly Candidates, Marcela Benedetti & James Beckles. 

The forthcoming GLA and UNISON Member, Sadiq Khan, Mayoral elections in May, was our number one topic. 

We must not be complacent about apparent poll leads. The Tories have bent the rules to favour their appalling uber right wing candidate. They have doubled election expenses for candidates, banned proportional voting and imposed voter ID requirements on the million London voters who have none. 

Expect loads of Tory fibs and dog whistle politics in the next 42 days.

Newham Full Council Meeting 18.3.24

 

I am a bit behind on social media posts due to full on Union and Council business but this is a picture from Monday at Newham Full Council meeting when I was asking our Guest speaker (https://twitter.com/TheIFS) about how much money UK Local Government needed to fully fund services. 

Later I welcomed the delegation of Newham Mums who spoke about the need to upgrade our play areas and presented a petition on behalf of residents in Portway, E15 who want a bus stop relocated due to ASB. 

Happy St Patrick's Day!

 

Veronica Oakeshott for Bicester & Woodstock

 

Bicester and Woodstock Labour

@BicstrWdstckLab

·

Mar 12

"We're excited to announce that our prospective General Election candidate is Veronica Oakeshott! Read all about her in this exclusive interview with the @TheOxfordMail #bicesterandwoodstock #labour https://oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24177313".

"It’s a huge honour to be the Labour candidate for my home constituency and the area I love! I want to improve the public services we all rely on & be the voice of my community in Westminster on the many things nationally that need to change. #VoteLabour  #ToriesOut #SaveOurNHS

(former West Ham ward resident and Newham Council Councillor)

bicester-woodstock-mp-labour-candidate-shares-vision/

"Pensions under the next Government": TUC Pension Conference 13.3.24

 

Picture of Keynote speaker, Liz Kendall MP, at today's TUC Pension conference. Will post more later in week. There is definitely a feeling we are going to win power at next General election but we cannot take anything for granted. 

Homage to a Hairy Dieter

 

I have been a fan of the Hairy Bikers/Dieters for a long, long time and it was sad to hear that Dave Myers lost his battle against cancer recently. Tonight I cooked one of my favourite recipes from their book and I am freezing 3 more dishes for the next few weeks. Yum (but for me it needs more chili added than in book) and very healthy with extra green veg and seasoned Cauliflower rice. 

Pay Ballot sent out today via email to all Clarion UNISON members.

 

This consultation will close at 5pm on 25 March 2024. As the recognised trade union, only Clarion UNISON members are being balloted.

VOTE ACCEPT OR REJECT

If you do not have a ballot email Unison@clarionhg.com

UNISON Community Annual Seminar & Conference - Day 1

 

On Friday our annual Community Seminar/Conference started in Chester. I was brought up only 8 miles away from Chester (Welsh side of the border) and have many fond memories of this lovely and historic city. Walking from the railway station to the hotel I passed Chester's "Marks and Spencers" and remember (not very foundly) spending many, many hours as a young child inside with my Mum and sister, shopping for clothes. The following week my Mum would often go back and return the clothes and then start shopping again!

After a 9am Service Group Executive Meeting (I am one of the 2 UNISON Community NEC members), I then attended a meeting of UNISON delegates who also work for Housing Associations. There was a number of useful discussions on common issues and it is pretty clear that on pay, our employers have been talking together and very many (not all) are offering 5% pay increase for this year. I made a comment that if employers are working together on pay then so should we. Another argument for sectorial wide fair pay agreements if there is a change of government. 

At the same time there was delegation meetings for the wider Community & Voluntary sector and Major Charities. 

Next there was a session for new delegates, where a brave attempt was made to explain how unison conferences work and how new delegates can participate. National Officer, Gavin Edwards and SGE member, Hassan Ortega did their their very best to demystify "points of order" and "card votes". 

During lunch there was meetings of self organised groups (young members, disabled members, Black members and LGBT+). I went for a 50 minute brisk walk around Chester City Walls. 

In the afternoon, there was the Plenary seminar session, starting with a welcome by our Chair, Malcolm Gray (a long lost cousin) and Jon Richards - UNISON Assistant General Secretary. 

We then had Rebecca Young from NCVO presenting on their campaign to better fund public sector contracts in the Charity sector. UNISON policy officer Anna Birley on our Cost of Living Campaign. Finally, Gavin again on the UNISON National Care service campaigns. 

At 4.30pm delegates had a choice of 4 workshops - "Pensions made simple and how to organise to improve them", "Year of the LGBT+ Worker", "Hands off - Tie to Tackle violence at work" and "Digital Organising". I helped out with national officer Andrew Dobbie on the pensions workshop. Which gave me some ideas on what to say during the pension motion on the Saturday. 

Finally, there was regional briefings for delegates, followed by a reception in the hotel. Our keynote speaker for tomorrow's conference, Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner, was there and it was a pleasure to have a chat with her and her two youngest boys, who I had seen many times at previous UNISON conferences, growing up over the years. 

Afterwards, Many of the London delegates then retired to a local hostelry for food, drinks, putting the world right and lots of gossip. 

Labour Housing Group Executive Elections 2024 - Election Re-run. Finish today Friday 8.3.24 5pm

 "We have unfortunately come to the view that the ballot for the EC needs to be rerun, as it became clear that some voters had abused the system.

The list of voters will be the same as were eligible to vote on the first occasion and the candidates are the same as in the original ballot.
 
Please find the list of candidates here.
The attendance record for current Executive Committee members standing for re-election is here.

We have partnered with Anonyvoter for this election, you will receive an email from them with a link to vote shortly. Make sure you check your spam folder.

If you didn't receive a ballot and think you should have done, please contact LHGadmin@labourhousing.org.

The closing time for your vote is 5pm on Friday 8^th March.
Please use your votes!"

I posted https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2024/03/labour-housing-group-executive.html

JG "I have just voted in the LHG Executive elections for the following 10 candidates. Lot of very good people standing and apologies for those I have not voted for on this occasion. 

You may only vote if you are both a member of LHG and a member of the Labour Party.

Sheila Spencer,

John Cotton,

Ross Houston,

Heather Johnson,

Christopher Worrall,

Paul Martin,

Andy Bates

Alison Inman.

Adam Allnut

Asma Islam"

Out for a meal with two Hackney Comrades

 

Back from a great meal in Evin, Kingsland High Street, E8 and political discussion (aka mostly gossip) with my Hackney Comrades, Yvonne Maxwell and Dave Osler. 

Yvonne and I, are your no nonsense, Labour "sell out" reformists, while Dave is more from the purist (but knows it will never happen) tradition. 

I first met Dave and Yvonne during our extraordinary battles against our weird and wonderful libel actions

Newham Voices March 24: the worth of West Ham Park

 

I have just enjoyed reading the online version of our community newspaper "Newham Voices". A eclectic mix of local news, politics, arts, sports, notices, history and even fashion hints. 

I enjoyed this calculation of the worth of the lovely West Ham Park. A Spring walk in the Park is definitely one of my favourites places to be. 

Check out Newham Voices website and subscribe, donate, advertise or volunteer to help out. https://newhamvoices.co.uk/membership/

"Sadiq Has Frozen Your Fares"

 

After work this evening together with activists across London, we leafleted local railway stations with these flyers pointing out that Sadaq had frozen fares for the 5th time! 

While the Tories have allowed fares to rise by 4.9% elsewhere. Together with free school meals and the largest number of council homes built in London since the 1970s, Sadiq policies are making a massive difference to ordinary Londoners struggling with the cost of living crisis. 

London Labour Conference 2024

Recovering from a busy weekend at the London Labour annual conference, as a UNISON Labour Link delegate. I arrived late on Saturday due to advice surgery commitment and missed keynote speakers David Lammy MP and Ellie Reeves MP. 

The venue was packed and a large number of stalls outside conference hall. There was definitely a positive conference buzz but also a recognition that the London Mayoral and GLA election in May (only 60 days away) will be tough and bloody since the Tories have resorted to the sewer in a desperate bid to avoid defeat. The Forthcoming General election will be equally vile. 

During lunch there was a great fringe organised by Labour Unions on the "New Deal for Working Parties" commitment. Our UNISON regional secretary, Jo Galloway, took part in the panel debate. 

Later there was another very interesting panel debate on AI and I asked the question that while I am not a luddite and welcome most technological change, there is a genuine real concern about AI being used to replace human face to face contact (I am a housing officer and there is a move to not meet residents in person but instead communicate via email and telephone) and that many back office workers face job insecurity from AI. We must have a "Just transition" and protect vulnerable workers. 

I also attended a useful seminar on election campaigning, there is a new script for door knocking and look forward to trying it out. 

The outstanding item yesterday was the speech to conference by London Mayor, Sadiq Khan. He arrived with no fanfare and started speaking to delegates and shaking hands (and being asked to pose for many selfies!) - See main picture in collage. The London Labour Movement "love" for Sadiq, was to me, pretty obvious. The many dreadful and disgusting comments made against him in recent days by senior Tories must have taken their toll on him and his family, but he is fighting back and gave a passionate and rousing speech which inspired and enthused conference. 

After conference there was a fund raising dinner with further speeches and the inevitable Labour raffle, where I continued with my run of luck in these events, by winning the book "Tribes" by David Lammy MP, which I look forward to reading. 

Conference started at 9am this morning (Sunday) and for some reason I needed lots of coffee to keep me up to speed. 

There was a number of great debates and speeches (including another panel debate on the importance of "New Deal"). I enjoyed the good humoured and intelligent presentation by Sadiq's campaign manager Matthew Greenough, (Known apparently in London circles as "Welsh Matt", who to my extreme pleasure, repeated a famous saying by St David in Welsh)

He was also in another panel debate on the GLA election, where I asked the question should we respond to the awful and disgusting racist comments, by trolls that are made on nearly every tweet Sadiq makes? He said "no", it will just amplify these hateful messages which is what they want and instead concentrate on the many positive things that Sadiq is doing to improve the everyday lives of Londoners. 

Later GLA London Labour Group Leader, Len Duvall, spoke about the "Battle of Ideas" that is going on in this campaign, while the closing speech was by local MP, Rushanara Ali, who called out the "Shame of the desperate Talking talking down her Borough...no longer is there "dog whistle" politics, it's now a fog horn"

There was a number of other fantastic contributions by many other speakers and delegates that I haven't listed. 

My final comment is to thank the London affiliated unions for electing me to the London Labour Party Regional Executive Committee, which  I look forward to serving upon. 

Labour Housing Group Executive Elections 2024

I have just voted in the LHG Executive elections for the following 10 candidates. Lot of very good people standing and apologies for those I have not voted for on this occasion. 

You may only vote if you are both a member of LHG and a member of the Labour Party.

Sheila Spencer,

John Cotton,

Ross Houston,

Heather Johnson,

Christopher Worrall,

Paul Martin,

Andy Bates

Alison Inman.

Adam Allnut

Asma Islam

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus: Happy St Davids Day

 

Thank you to the Tesco delivery driver who brought to my door turnip, parsnips, carrots and massive leeks despite the pouring rain for my Cawl this evening. Just need to get the neck of lamb and Caerphilly cheese. 

UPDATE: Yum