Every worker needs a union. Have you joined one yet?

 Every worker needs a union. Have you joined one yet? https://lnkd.in/ejAkzRHF

#HeartUnions

Last day of Love Unions Week 2026. Check out this TUC web site to find out which union you should consider joining. https://www.tuc.org.uk/heartunions . If you work in public services then go to JoinUNISON

Every worker needs a union. Have you joined one yet? https://lnkd.in/ejAkzRHF

#HeartUnions

#HeartUNISON #HeartUnions week 14-20 Feb: Celebrating the work of unions

This week is "Love Unions" week. So check out why Labour's new deal for workers is so important  Sectorial bargaining alone in my sector will be a game changer for the lives of millions of low paid, insecure and vulnerable workers. 

I really cannot understand how some union leaders appear to think that getting rid of the Tories at the next general election, somehow, does not matter????

"A Labour government will:

• strengthen rights at work for all workers, from day one on the job;
• end fire and rehire;
• make work more family-friendly, and make it easier to balance work with home, community and family life;
• ban zero-hours contracts and ensure everyone has the right to regular hours they can rely on;
• strengthen trade union rights, raising pay and conditions;
• bring in fair pay agreements to drive up pay and conditions for all workers, using sectoral collective bargaining".

InUNISON - What have the Trade Unions done for us? #LoveUnions

Check out this modern remake of an old classic at https://www.in-unison.org/post/what-have-unions-ever-done-for-us

All of next week is https://www.tuc.org.uk/heartunions Share this video and all the other events

#HeartUNISON 2020 10-16 Feb

"Heart UNISON is part of Heart Unions Week, a national event organised by the TUC to celebrate unions and make sure everyone knows why we’re vital at work".

♡ UNISON: because of the support they give me as a nurse

‘Heart Unions Week’ 2019 - Banning Zero Hours Contracts

"Unions have agreed to organise a 'Heart Unions' week of campaigning, 11 -17 February 2019. Please put these dates in your diary and start to think about how you can celebrate being proud to be a union member. The campaign theme chosen for this year is 'banning zero hour contracts'.  We will be facilitating and publicising activity that supports union's organising campaigns, that builds links with workers who are suffering the impact of ZHCs, that raises awareness of the impact of ZHCs on people and families, and that lobbies politicians to support changes to employment rights, to give every worker the stability they need". Hat tip https://www.tuc.org.uk/london-east-and-south-east (this will work well with the Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz, Community Wealth Building programme, encouraging residents to join trade unions in order to increase pay and better conditions)

"Union reps are good for workers and employers and we can prove it"

Check out TUC risks and link to Stronger Unions response to the latest nonsense from the Tax evaders alliance.

"The TUC has ripped apart the latest attempt by a right-wing lobby group to claim paid release for union reps comes at a cost. TUC national organiser Carl Roper said the annually regurgitated claim by the Taxpayers’ Alliance that union volunteers are a drain on the public purse and taxpayers gets picked up uncritically by sections of the media, despite the irrefutable evidence proving precisely the opposite. 

Writing in the TUC’s Stronger Unions blog, he points to research and government publications showing the union role in the workplace is good for business, the economy and the health of workers. He says this establishes five areas that benefit from the activity of workplace union reps: skills and training; exit rates, labour turnover and dispute resolution; productivity, and worker safety. He said in workplaces where there is direct trade union health and safety representation there were much lower injury rates, translating to between 34,000 and 52,000 fewer working days lost. 

“There are just 170,000 union representatives in the UK amongst a workforce of around 25 million. It would be difficult to find another group of employees who in addition to carrying out their regular job make such a significant contribution to the UK economy as a result of volunteer activity,” Roper concluded. 

“It is a role acknowledged and valued not just by unions and their members, but also by some of the UK’s biggest and most successful employers. Jaguar Land Rover, British Aerospace, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, British Airways, Morrison’s, Asda to name just a few all have and provide paid time off to union reps. Their contribution is also acknowledged by the CBI. The case for union reps and the small amount of paid time off that they receive is conclusive.”

Ÿ TUC Stronger Unions blog. TUC guide to the union safety effect. The Guardian.

#HEARTUNISON 8 – 14 February 2017

"It’s back! Up and down the UK workers will be celebrating being part of a union.

Heart unions week is a national event organised by the TUC that many of you will have taken part in and due to the success of 2016, it’s back!

We know this government is intent on hurting working people and undermining trade unions. So we must get stronger and use every opportunity to celebrate the positive impact we bring to people’s lives. Heart unions week is just that opportunity. Let’s prove our worth to members and potential members by shouting about all the reasons to Heart UNISON".

Love Unions Week 8-14 February 2017

"Following the popularity of the ♥unions campaign week last year the TUC family of unions has agreed to run the campaign again, this time 8 – 14 February 2017.

· Every union Branch is being urged to organise some kind of activity to celebrate its achievements.

Every trade union member is being urged to ask a family member, friend or workmate, who is a non-member, to join a union.

Unions can align the ♥unions brand to an organising campaign, or an industrial campaign.

Trades Councils can organise community events, such as street stalls, photo opportunities, stunts, flash-mob choir etc.

If you are a union rep or activist:

Please contact your union to see if it will have any materials that you can use, as they might be branded with you union logo, specific organising and campaign messages etc.

· Please let me know what you are doing, as we will create a calendar and will visit as many events as possible.

· Please send us photographs.

· SERTUC will have some materials to support activity by Branches and in workplaces; so speak to us.

If you are from a Trades Council:

· Please tell me what you are planning

· We can discuss what campaign materials we can give you to support your event.

For social media assets see and use:

www.heartunions.org @heartunions #heartunions facebook

This is a campaign celebrating the achievements of trade unions, past present and future. It is about pride and confidence in what we do and why we do it. What you do in the week can be ‘a bit of fun’ or it can be more ‘hard-edged, it is at your discretion.

It could be a simple as taking photographs and sending tweets, awarding the metal badges to lead activists, or organising a Branch social.

Be certain, trade unionism remains the hope of the world and we are a force for good and for radical change.

Are you interested in arranging a celebration, event, stunt, stall or photo opportunity? SERTUC can support what you are doing contact: lheselden@tuc.org.uk

www.heartunions.org @heartunions #heartunions facebook

Newham Fabians Annual General Meeting 11 January & the National Fabians Society New Year Conference 14 Jan 2017

On Wednesday I am looking forward to the Newham Fabian AGM. See picture right from the last one I attended in 2011 (I think there was one in 2013 but none since).

Hat tip photos Dan McCurry. 

I think you can still join for £7 and attend.

"Newham Fabians Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 11 January 2017 at 7PM

Trinity Community Centre, East Avenue, London, E12 6SG.

Guest speaker: Andrew Harrop, General Secretary of the Fabian Society

Andrew will also officiate over the AGM and committee elections

All members of the Fabian Society living in the Newham area are warmly invited to the AGM of Newham Fabian Society. The meeting is open to members of both the national Fabian Society and of Newham Fabians. To take part in votes you need to join Newham Fabians.

The Secretary of Newham Fabians is Tahmina Rahman,

tahmina_rahman_1@hotmail.com"

(also on Saturday as a member of the National Fabians I am going to their New Year conference. Must remember to take my #LOVEUNIONS placards and leaflets :-)

"Fabian Society New Year conference 2017

This time next Saturday the Fabian Society will welcome Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn MP onto the stage to open our 2017 New Year Conference. We are delighted Jeremy is joining us at our biggest and best event of the year, and we hope that you will too.

Alongside Jeremy Corbyn will be speakers from across the left and beyond, including MPs, policy experts and commentators. They will come together to have the fundamental debates the left needs on its purpose, organisation and ideas. Speakers include:

Jon Ashworth MP (shadow health secretary), Dawn Butler MP (shadow minister for diverse communities), Nia Griffith MP (shadow defence secretary), Keir Starmer MP (shadow secretary of state for exiting the European Union), Emily Thornberry MP (shadow foreign secretary), Rushanara Ali MP, Stella Creasy MP, Wayne David MP, Maria Eagle MP, Kate Green MP (Fabian Society chair), Caroline Flint MP, Margaret Hodge MP, Stephen Kinnock MP, Alison McGovern MP, Bridget Phillipson MP, Emma Reynolds MP, Seb Dance MEP, Luke Akehurst (Labour First), Richard Angell (Progress), Jonathan Bartley (Green party), Stephen Bush (New Statesman), Claire Fox (Institute of Ideas), Katie Ghose (Electoral Reform Society), Stephany Griffith-Jones (economist), Dr Jan Halper Hayes (Trump Transition Team), Ayesha Hazarika (commentator), Ruth Hunt (Stonewall), Paul Hunter (Smith Institute), Owen Jones (the Guardian), Neal Lawson (Compass), Helen Lewis (New Statesman), Hywel Lloyd (Labour Coast and Country), Cllr Sue MacMillan (Hammersmith and Fulham), Paul Mason (writer & broadcaster), Deborah Mattinson (Britain Thinks), Cllr Reema Patel (Barnet), Trevor Phillips (former chair, Equality & Human Rights Commission), Vicky Pryce (economist), Elizabeth Quintana (RUSI), Ania Skrzypek (FEPS), Ernst Stetter (FEPS), Jo Swinson (former LibDem MP), Leslie Vinjamuri (Chatham House & SOAS) and many more.

New Year Conference is always a highlight of the Fabian calendar, and I hope you can join us to hear Jeremy and all of our other speakers. Tickets are selling fast, and if you haven't booked yours already, head over to our website now - they're just £32 for Fabian members".

HAVE YOU VOTED? - Indicative ballot / Workplace meeting Clarion Housing Group

Have you voted in the ballot? Time is running out to have your say... Dear UNISON Member Clarion and Latimer management has decided to de-recognise trade unions for all staff, pending the result of a survey they have told us will run in January 2017. Your new employer has shown very little willingness to work constructively with us up to this point. How do you think we should respond? Are you willing to take industrial action to protect Trade Unions right to negotiate on your behalf? To those members who have already voted, thank you. Please encourage your colleagues who are members to do the same. The more votes we get, the better picture we will have of how we should proceed. Please do not assume industrial action means going on strike, for more explanation see frequently asked questions below. The reply will only go back to your union and will be kept totally confidential. Please respond by 5pm Friday 6 January 2017,  however we are seeking agreement from other unions on extending this deadline by a week. Please vote YES or NO to the following question:- Question: “Are you prepared to take industrial action in defence of trade union recognition and the unions’ ability to protect your jobs, pay, terms and conditions?” There are different ways you can vote in this ballot: Complete the ballot online here: (members only have recieved link) Or you could print out and complete this form: (Members only have recieved link) You will then need to post it to Barney Wakefield, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Rd, London NW1 2AY Please ensure that you only vote once. Frequently Asked Questions Q. “What is an indicative ballot”? A. It is similar to a survey of union members to find out their views. It is NOT an official ballot by the unions on industrial action. That could come later. Q. What is “industrial action”? A. This can mean many things such as lunchtime and evening protests, only working your proper hours and only to your job description. It could as a last resort mean strike action but only after an official ballot. Q. Will I still be able to get advice and support from the union if we are derecognised? A. Your individual rights to advice and representation are not affected. You will still be able to receive advice and representation from UNISON Stewards and staff as before. Recognition relates to collective bargaining over jobs, pay, terms and conditions. Q. What else are the unions doing? A. We will be holding meetings across the Group and also lobbying MPs/Assembly members and Councils to review their relationships with Clarion and if necessary boycott until we have an agreement. We are asking for support and solidarity from other trade unions and resident Groups. An online petition is being set up and we will also be contacting pension’s funds and investors about the risk that such a damaging and unnecessary dispute poses to their investments. If you have any questions please contact Barney Wakefield – b.wakefield@unison.com, 07817120556

Upcoming Workplace Meetings Here are dates and times of upcoming joint union meetings: 04.01.17 - Wrights Rd Community Centre - 12.00 - 13.00 04.01.17 - Polydamas Close - 13.00 - 14.00 - Meeting Room 1 06.01.17 - Anglia House Boardroom - 12.00 - 14.00 09.01.17 - Beacon House Boardroom - 12.00 - 13.00 and 13.00 - 14.00 10.01.17 - Regent House - 12.00 - 14.00 - Meeting Room 1 13.01.17 - Tower View, Kings Hill, Firefly meeting Room - 12.00 - 14.00 17.01.17 - Gee Business Centre - 12.00 - 14.00 - Cheshire Room 18.01.17 - Bishops Stortford - Innovation House 12.00 - 14.00 20.01.17 - Haywards Heath - Venue TBC - 12.00 - 14.00 We will be adding other dates and doing targeted emails to relevant members with updates. Please keep looking out for these.

Your rights to advice and representation UNISON wants to make clear to all its members that if there is a period of time where we do not have recognition with Clarion Housing Group, or Latimer, your individual rights to advice and representation are not affected. You will still be able to receive advice and representation from UNISON Stewards and staff as before. Recognition relates to collective bargaining and some other issues, but we thought it was important to make this clear at this stage. If you have any questions, please get in touch: Email: l.baldock@unison.co.uk                Email: b.wakefield@unison.co.uk             If you have questions about the proposed merger, or the current Circle reorganisation, please contact John Gray on John.Gray@circle.org.uk

Facebook, Twitter and Website  Please like and follow to receive updates "Like" us on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/clarionunison "Follow" us on twitter here: https://twitter.com/unisonclarion Or visit the website here: http://bwakefield1.wixsite.com/unisonclarion Please encourage colleagues to do the same.

Wishing everyone a Merry Crimbo & Happy New Year (and don't forget #LOVEUNIONS)

Wishing everyone a Merry Crimbo & Happy New Year (and remember #LOVEUNIONS)

 I have this year not sent any cards but instead donated money to the MIND Blue Light Campaign in memory of UNISON President Eric Roberts

https://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/giving-to-mind/donate/

Regards 

John Gray

Hat tip SERTUC for original card