West Ham Labour Street Surgery

 

After my static advice surgery on Saturday morning I joined local volunteers and Councillors to carry out a door by door street surgery in West Ham.

We knocked on the doors of residents and ask them if they have any problems or issues with Newham Council that they wish to discuss with their local Councillors. Usually, residents are pleased to see us (although a tiny number disguise it very well) and have nothing to report but are grateful for receiving our contact details and that we hold a local advice surgery every Saturday (apart from Bank holiday weekends and August). 

We started off with a modern housing association block managed by L&Q. I was concerned that there appeared to be some out of date notices regarding fire safety/disrepair actions posted on a communal board, which I will chase up with them. 

Next we knocked at a Council managed block which had recently had substantial environmental improvements but residents were very concerned with cleaning standards and access to recycling bins. There was also reports of ongoing damp and mould problems, which I will also follow up. Overcrowding is a huge issue with adult children forced to stay at home since they cannot afford alternative accommodation. 

I was pleased to see that the old Britannia Pub has also been refurbished and modernised. It will hopefully reopen soon. 

The final door knock was Victorian street properties and discussed reports of ASB, rodents and tree pruning. 

In total we had 87 contacts and finished off with a late brunch in a nearby cafe. 

On the way home I looked for a plaque on a wall in an adjacent street, which I believe is connected to a 1733 boundary post I came across the previous week while canvassing in Stratford see John's Labour blog: Labour Street Surgery in Stratford. I found the plaque which I had posted upon here in 2013 John's Labour blog: West Ham doorstep & Leaflet drop. 

It seems that land in Stratford and West Ham had been donated to support St Mary's Church in Rotherhithe. I wonder what the legal situation is nowadays? I am meeting former Councillor John Saunders on Tuesday evening and will ask him if he knows more. 

Are you a trade union rep concerned about the temperature in your workplace?

 

In the week 14 – 20 July,

@The_TUC

is inviting union health and safety reps to check their workplace temperatures. Help organise for safer, cooler workplaces!

Sign up now for our week of action, 14-20 July: https://tuc.org.uk/news/workplace-temperatures-week-action#:~:text=In%20the%20week%20of%2014,safer%2C%20cooler%20workplaces%20this%20summer!

Labour Street Surgery in Stratford

 

On Saturday afternoon I joined a street surgery and campaign session in Stratford with local Councillor, Sabia Kamali. There had been a morning session as well which I could not attend but I cycled to the meeting point in Stratford High Road, which was near an unusual stone pillar (bottom right) which I think is some sort of boundary post dated 1731. It seems that it once marked land owned by a Church in Southwark. There is a similar wall plaque in my ward in West Ham. I will find out more. 

The street surgery itself went well but it was a warm and sunny day with many residents obviously out shopping or enjoying the weather. It was also difficult to gain entry into some of the newer blocks in this area. 

I helped some residents with some housing repair issues and advice on waiting lists etc but the only "political" conversation, I had was with a cheerful young man, who answered the door and said he did not know anything about politics but said he had heard about Reform but did not know what they would do for him or his family. 

I gave him the example that Reform wanted to dismantle the NHS and introduce a health service based on insurance policies. He was pretty rude about that possibility and said "100% for Labour then". Hopefully, I have pointed him in the right direction. 

There was some lovely individual gardens on the estates and an impressive new play area and Community garden. 

UNISON NEC Presidential Team elections 2025-2026

UNISON National Conference finished at 4pm on Friday 20 June 2025. I will post on the last 2 days of conference when I can. But after the close of conference, the newly elected UNISON National Executive Council (2025-2027 NEC) met for the first time to vote for our New President, Senior Vice President and Junior Vice President. 

I had been re-elected as a NEC Community member with my colleague Denise Thomas and we voted  in this important election. 

These are not just honorary or ceremonial positions, the new Presidential team are the most senior lay activists in the largest union in the UK, providing leadership for over 1.3 million members. 

I was more than pleased that the following were elected with clear majorities.

Catherine McKenna – UNISON President

James Anthony – Senior Vice President

Debbie Rowden – Junior Vice President

"This marks a fresh start and a powerful step forward for our union. With a strong NEC and a leadership team committed to putting members first, the future of UNISON looks brighter than ever".

Agreed. 

UNISON National Delegate Conference 25: Day two

I had another relatively early start to get to the NEC conference pre meeting for 8.30am. I had a day off running but did some HIIT instead. 

The NEC pre meeting went well and I was in the conference hall for the 9.30am start (Tuesday start is 10am). I am sitting on the front row on the far left (in joke) on the NEC platform (facing) next to my UNISON Community colleague, Denise Thomas. 

Thankfully, Conference was today also chaired by the super competent, former President Maureen le Marinel. 

The Standing Orders report went through quickly and there was only a little of the time wasting we experienced yesterday. 

Unfortunately, the miserabilists continued to promote, in my view, anti-Labour, pro Tory and pro Reform propaganda at every opportunity in debates but such is life. I genuinely don't think it did them any favours. 

Our General Secretary, Christina McAnea, gave a great and well received GS speech to conference which resulted in a standing ovation. Under Christina, for example, we have seen an increase in our membership, successful strikes, £162 million in back pay for members being upgraded and also (in my world) a fantastic victory for LIVV Housing Association strikers.  They won a 8% pay rise, an improvement in terms and conditions and a wider commitment to look into banning the absolutely disgraceful anti- trade union human rights abuses that LIVV carried out. 

During lunch I attended a fringe on organising and supporting workers in social care. Two Cymru/Wales Region care workers described the dreadful problems that migrant workers experience from employers and unfair visa rules. 

Before conference restarted after lunch, I handed out leaflets for the UNISON Labour Link Rally that evening. I had a really good response and it was so nice to get so much positive feedback from delegates, 

Our keynote international conference speaker was Lee Saunders, the President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Our sister union across the pond. He gave a lively, passionate and barn storming speech which got everyone also on their feet. 

Motion 12 was the last to be debated today "All we ask is to be treated with Dignity and Respect". I have lost count of number of UNISON Conferences I have attended and while I have sometime thought that some of the speeches I have heard are "inappropriate" I never thought I would hear delegates at our conference (last year) being allowed to suggest that up to 40,000 UNISON members in our Police Civilian staff are all violent racists and bigots, as well as being useless and should be sacked!  

Wow. Union members being allowed to openly call for other union members to be sacked? 

The debate will continue tomorrow morning.

This evening I went to the Labour Link Rally and listened to Christina, Maggi, and Employment Rights Minister, Justin Madders, explain exactly what is really happening with the Employment Rights Bill.  

Please ignore the Tory/Reform miserabilists untruths. 

UNISON National Delegate Conference 25: Day One

 

Today (Tuesday 17 June) was day one of the UNISON National Delegate Conference 2025, which is taking place in the ACC, Liverpool. This is certainly the largest trade union conference in the UK, if not Europe, with over 2,000 delegates and visitors.

I am here as an elected member of the UNISON National Executive Council. So I had to be up early for firstly, a short morning run/jog along the River Mersey, breakfast, then a pre conference meeting of the NEC at 8.30am. Which went I think pretty well and there was a couple of interesting votes. 

Then as also being a UNISON Greater London elected Regional Council officer, I was asked to help out our regional  delegates with the sometimes "difficult" but important task of assisting our London delegates with finding out where their allocated seats are on the conference floor. 

Conference started a little late due to queues of delegates and visitors waiting to get through security at the main entrance.  

The morning debate was chaired by current NEC member and respected former President, Maureen le Marinel, who is a super competent and very fair chair. Such a relief to have someone like Maureen Charing NDC after some shambolic and very destructive chairs in the recent past.

We all watched the names of UNISON members, activists, friends and officers who have died during the last year displayed on the screen behind the platform while listening to beautiful music.  

I was so pleased that conference supported our elected Chair of the Standing Order Committee, who had to report that motions that broke the rules of our union (decided upon by 2/3 majorities by previous conferences) could not be debated at this conference. It was in my personal view, a complete and utter waste of conference debating time that we had to listen and vote on the same arguments, time and time again for every single similar challenge. 

Conference went largely ok afterwards. We had the Annual report and the Financial statement. Then we debated motions. There were many good speakers on important issues but also in my view some completely negative and I suspect deliberately destructive views by political opponents of the current Labour Government. Which is fair enough, but please declare your party card when you do so.  I hope and think, I always make it clear my affiliations when I speak?

During lunch I attended a really good panel fringe on DC pensions. My question to the panel was how can we protect our members in DC pensions schemes, who are not able to physically to carry out their job but have no ill health retirement protection. I think that we need the Government to intervene on this.

It was great that current NEC member and former President Margaret McKee chaired the afternoon session in the similar fair but no nonsense manner as Maureen. 

After conference I attended a fringe on  a new proposed UNISON app for members which looks really good and as long as we have sufficient resource to keep it updated and relevant should be brilliant. 

UNISON National Delegate Conference: Liverpool 2025

Today I travelled by train to Liverpool to take part in the UNISON National Delegate Conference as a NEC representative for Community (80,000 Housing Associations and Charities members) with my colleague Denise Thomas. 

I always know I am back in Liverpool when I see the statues of Ken Dodd and Bessie Braddock MP in Lime Street Station. I was born and raised in nearby North Wales and have many fond memories of visiting Liverpool. 

Around 2000 delegates and visitors will be attending the annual conference of the largest trade union in the UK. 

This evening I attended the Greater London Regional briefing for all our delegates. The elected regional delegates, Yvonne and Andrew, the Regional Secretary Sara and our Standing orders Committee representative Jim, advised delegates and answered questions on what to expect and how conference is likely to be run during the next 4 days.  

As a NEC delegate and London member I mentioned the National Labour Link fringe on the Employment Rights Bill and invited delegates to attend. 

There was a number of great questions by delegates about various aspects of conference business and also in my view, some rather unwise suggestions. I gently reminded delegates on the personal dangers and wider risks of not following legal advice during debates at conference.  

Nuf said. But Beware! Beware!

Beckton Street Surgery 15.6.25

 

Busy day yesterday. I took part in some interviews in the morning then joined Cllr Blossom Young and Cllr Rohima Rahman with some new campaigners in Beckton ward, Newham London. Cllr Tonii Wilson, the 3rd Beckton ward Councillor was unable to join the team on this occasion. 

Beckton is a huge ward with lots of parkland and low rise properties. Our role was to knock on doors and explain to residents that we were from the local Labour Party and were out today with their local Councillors to see if they would like to speak to them about any problems or issues and also advise them about the advice surgeries that take place in the ward every Saturday. 

It was a glorious warm, sunny day and many people were obviously out but we did speak to a number of residents and picked up a lot of case work for the Councillors to follow up on. 

It was for me a pleasure to see how many residents knew Blossom and Rohima, and were pleased to see them and to have a friendly chat. I met up with a former now retired colleague from Tower Hamlets Council (a Unite convenor) and we had a very good discussion about local issues and problems as well as reminiscing about past work colleagues. 

Obviously, not every single resident was that pleased to see us but the overwhelming reaction was very, very positive. 

I was leading the group using the Labour Party Doorstep phone app but was very grateful that that local Councillors were with me since Beckton is somewhat "complicated" to navigate around. 

The two new campaigners (who live in the ward) had been fully briefed by Blossom on what to do and what to expect. They watched us knocking on doors and chatting to residents, and then in a little while, when they felt comfortable, they were more than happy to knock and chat by themselves. They were both naturals. 

After the street surgery I cycled home then that evening I joined many others helping to celebrate the wedding of the daughter of a fellow Councillor (and personal friend). A simply lovely family event and a marvellous ending to a great day. 

TUC - Tackling high temperatures at work: Wednesday 18 June 2025 | 14:00- 15:00

 

High temperatures are a major problem in the workplace, especially during summer. Excessive heat can cause dizziness, fainting, and heat cramps, posing serious health risks. Workers in outdoor sites, warehouses, and kitchens are particularly vulnerable. Union reps play a crucial role in advocating for safer conditions. Join Shelly Asquith, Health and Safety Policy Officer at the TUC, and Miranda Irwin, Coordinator at Heat Strike, to learn how reps can organise for cooler and safer workplaces.

REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR

...and don't forget to join our workplace temperatures week of action

In the week of 14 – 20 July, we're asking union health and safety reps to inspect their workplace temperatures. Let’s take a collective temperature check, and use it to organise for safer, cooler workplaces this summer!   Sign up to take part, and we’ll send you all the tools you need, including a checklist and thermometer.

Attendees of our live webinar will receive a TUC digital credential to demonstrate what they have learned. Find out more about digital credentials. Live captions will be available during this webinar.

Re-elected to UNISON NEC 2025-27

 

I was pleased today to find out that I was re-elected to the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC) for the next 2 years representing all our members who work for Housing Associations and Charities. My running mate Denise Thomas was also re-elected with a similar majority. 

While there were a few shocks and surprises when the results were announced I am so relieved that it seems that a clear working majority of the NEC are not aliened to the tfrc ultra left faction, that has run it (fairly disastrously in my personal view) during the last 4 years. We should now have a NEC that will act on behalf of members, first and foremost. 

Many thanks to all our supporters for such an excellent result. Turnout was dismal in all of these elections and I hope by 2027 the promised legal changes are made to allow electronic balloting. 

I will pass on my commiserations to Anjona and Michelle who stood against the two of us. 

Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum

 

On Saturday while returning from a lovely break in Dorset, I made a stop at the Martyrs Museum in Tolpuddle.

I had visited a few years ago during winter, but it was closed. This museum is truly worth visiting. Located just a few minutes from the A35, it offers free roadside parking, a shop and a small yet highly informative exhibition detailing and arrest of six Dorset farmers in the 1830s. These men were "stitched up" by local landowners and transported to Australia, separated their families, for the "crime" of attempting to establish a trade union.

The museum also highlights the successful campaign to secure their return and pardons, along with the challenges they faced upon their return, including opposition from other landlords and clergy, which ultimately led most to emigrate with their families to Canada.

This museum is highly recommended. Entry is free, with a suggested donation of £2. Having worked as a housing officer in Tower Hamlets, where tower blocks were named after the martyrs, I found this visit particularly meaningful. The site has a number of high standard agriculture workers private homes attached which were built by unions in the 1930s. 

Although I have yet to attend the annual Festival in July John's Labour blog: Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival 2025 line-up poster!, the museum also provided additional information about time the Martyrs spent farming in Essex a topic I have previously written about. John's Labour blog: Greensted Essex Walk - start at "oldest Wooden Church in the World" (& Tolpuddle Martyrs connection)

Newham Rough Sleeper Count May 2025

 

Last night I joined the team going out from Newham Dockside Building to start the bi monthly count from midnight util 3am of rough sleepers in Newham, East London. 

The team is made up of Council officers, stakeholders and local Councillors. We were fully briefed beforehand on the how and why, what to do if we come across someone very vulnerable and personal safety. 

We were split up into groups of 2 or 3 with maps and sent all over Newham, where it was believed from recent reports, people may be sleeping rough. If they were asleep we were told to just count them but if they were awake and willing to engage, we should take some details of their circumstances and they would be visited by the early morning shift of outreach workers to see what help and support could be offered. 

I went again with Council officer Aidan, to cover two patches of Newham. I was pleased that despite it being a warm night, for the first time in a long time, we did not find anyone sleeping rough sleeping. 

But I am very sure that other groups did find people sleeping rough elsewhere in the borough. 

Thanks to Paul (white tee shirt) and his officers for organising this so well. Ajitha, the recently retired former Council manager of this team must be so proud. 

Breakfast at Pellicci

 

Had yet another great breakfast recently at E Pellicci in Bethnal Green with Monty Matty (former Tower Hamlets UNISON caretaker steward).

Believe it or not, since I am cutting down on carbs, and swopped the toast and hash browns for extra Sausage and bacon - this is diet food! (somewhat). 

There was some American tourists next to us who had been recommended to eat here by their taxi driver. They were talking to a young local man who was a boxer with 7 straight victories and had recently been training in Vegas. 

Check out its history Our Story : Pellicci's

UNISON Members - Get help with School uniforms online application starts today (Wednesday 28 May 2025) at 12 Noon!

 

I first posted this earlier this month and hope that low paid members with school age children will apply. Online applications are not great for many UNISON members but I hope this being half term in many areas they will notice this and apply.

"UNISON’s charity, There for You, is offering help for members on a low income with a one-off, non-repayable grant of £75 per school-aged child which will be paid in the form of a voucher. We want to make this limited fund go as far as possible and help as many members as we can. Please only apply if you are in financial difficulty.

Applications will be made online and a link to apply will be added to this webpage when the grant is live".

The grant will be open for 24 hours from 12 noon on 28 May 2025 and close at 12 noon on 29 May 2025.

School Uniform Grant | There for You (UNISON Welfare) | UNISON National

Newham Council AGM 2025

Last Thursday evening was the Newham Council AGM, which was held this year in the new Shipman Youth Zone.

In this picture taken at the end of the meeting I am with the Chair of Council (our civic major), Cllr Dr Rohit Das Gupta, our local MPs James Asser and Uma Kumaran and the Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz together with some of the officers of Newham Labour Group. I am now its chair (again!). 

The John Smith Memorial Lecture: Gordon Brown - The future of public life

 

Last Wednesday, after a long day at a UNISON NEC meeting, I was lucky to get a ticket to a packed lecture by former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown. It was held in Cadogan Hall in West London. 

Gordon was introduced by former Labour Leader Neil Kinnock who was on form. Gordon came on the stage and just stood in the front and without notes gave a comprehensive and compelling analysis of the big political and social issues facing the world. Interweaved with personal remanences, historical contest and at times, great humour. A "tour de force". 

Check out this report on the lecture "WE NEED TO REBUILD THE PUBLIC SQUARE": GORDON BROWN DELIVERS INAUGURAL JOHN SMITH MEMORIAL LECTURE - John Smith Centre

Thank you to branches and supporters of UNISON NEC "Members Together" Candidates. Results out 11 June

 

UNISON NEC elections (the elected "Parliament" of UNISON members) closed 5pm on Wednesday (21 May). The Scrutineer and Returning Officer (Civica Election Services) for this election will now investigate any complaints and will then announce the results on 11 June.

Denise (my fellow candidate for the two National Community seats) and I thank all our supporters, those who have voted for us and also the other #Membertogether candidates.

Win or loss, the fight to build the union and defend members continues!

It's Vote o' clock! Last chance to vote in UNISON NEC elections: Postal (ONLY) Ballot closes this Wednesday 5pm

 

The UNISON NEC elections close at 5pm Wednesday 21st May THIS week. It is a postal only ballot and if you have not voted yet, it is probably best to send today to make sure it gets to returning officer in time - it is SAE but maybe put on a 1st class stamp if you can, to make sure. 

I am standing with Denise for the 2x Community seats (if you are UNISON members and work in a charity or Housing association). I am recommending Eddie, Clara, Sonya and Abiola as your London reps. All UNISON members will be able to vote for other national seats as well (except for the Young Members seats which are for ...Young members only). 

Please vote and if you are a UNISON member in another UNISON Region or Service (work) Group then please check the Members Together web site for recommendations. 

We must unite our union and work with our General Secretary, Christina McAnea to win for members. Full stop. 

Hat tip top to Lady Lola!

UNISON School Uniform Grant 28 May 2025 - share with members

 

"UNISON’s charity, There for You, is offering help for members on a low income with a one-off, non-repayable grant of £75 per school-aged child which will be paid in the form of a voucher. We want to make this limited fund go as far as possible and help as many members as we can. Please only apply if you are in financial difficulty.

Applications will be made online and a link to apply will be added to this webpage when the grant is live".

The grant will be open for 24 hours from 12 noon on 28 May 2025 and close at 12 noon on 29 May 2025.

School Uniform Grant | There for You (UNISON Welfare) | UNISON National

Canvass Green Street East 17 May 2025

 

After Labour Group local campaign training, we went out to canvass in Green Street East with local Councillors. I had to leave early to see my little sister and niece who were down from Lincs to see a show together. 

Last chance for UNISON NEC elections: Members together Community, London & National Slate

 

The UNISON NEC elections close at 5pm Wednesday 21st May next week. It is a postal only ballot and if you have not voted yet, it is probably best to send tomorrow at the latest to make sure it gets to returning officer in time - it is SAE but maybe put on a 1st class stamp if you can, to make sure. 

I am standing with Denise for the 2x Community seats (if you are UNISON members and work in a charity or Housing association). I am recommending Eddie, Clara, Sonya and Abiola as your London reps. All UNISON members will be able to vote for other national seats as well (except for the Young Members seats which are for ...Young members only). 

Please vote and if you are a UNISON member in another UNISON Region or Service (work) Group then please check the Members Together web site for recommendations. 

We must unite our union and work with our General Secretary, Christina McAnea to win for members. Full stop. 

Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival 2025 line-up poster!!

 

"Yet another dynamic and diverse programme of music, comedy, theatre and more 

18th - 20th July in the village of Tolpuddle, Dorset

Tickets and festival info at https://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/festival"

Not voted yet in the UNISON NEC elections?

 

Dig that ballot paper out of the pile, vote and get it in the post If you’ve not got it then call 0800 0 857 857 ASAP Ballots have to be back by 21 May. Don’t lose your right to vote!

Hat tip @andrew4nec

Check out recommendations on who to vote for Your Candidates — Members Together