10am the seminar started with Sector meetings. I attended the Housing Associations one and we had a speaker from LIVV Housing Association UNISON who are taking extensive strike action against their employer to reverse real term cuts in pay. LIVV have behaved appallingly and not only are they refusing to meet and try to conciliate but are actively attacking strikers and the union.
While no-one expects an employer to simply agree to all union demands, what LIVV senior management and board are doing is deliberate union busting, by offering a pay rise ONLY to people who don't join or leave the union. Not being discriminated for joining a union is a fundamental human right (United Nations ILO declarations). If you don't respect the human rights of your workers then you are not fit to run in any way any organisation in my view, never mind one supposedly with a social purpose.
No wonder "Housing Associations" (when there are actually many very good ones who would never act it this way) are hated by so many, across the entire political spectrum. Who on earth is advising them to do this? How can human rights abusers be allowed to run services for vulnerable residents?
There were "new delegate" and then equalities caucus meetings over lunch then the Seminar itself started afterwards. Our General Secretary, Christina MacAnea, gave a simply brilliant and inspiring speech followed by a wide ranging Q&A. The way she has been treated following her personal bereavement by some extremists has been truly shameful but I am so glad she is back and standing up for the union and our real members.
Joseph Evans from the IPPR spoke about sectorial bargaining in other parts of the economy. This issue is so important to our sector and I spoke on this debate the next day at the actual conference.
After the seminar there was a regional meeting of Greater London Community delegates then a social in a nearby pub.
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