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)