UNISON Community Conference 2025

 

Saturday 1st March was Day 2 of the UNISON Community Seminar - then Conference in Bristol. Saturday was also of course St David's Day which the Welsh contingent (including myself) celebrated (but I have been told off for not wearing a daffodil) 

It was a motion based conference and there 16 different motions debated during the day on a wide range of Community specific issues. 

Before (and afterwards) Conference, my UNISON NEC Colleague Denise Thomas and I handed out our leaflets outside the Conference hotel, asking for support in the forthcoming NEC elections (ballot papers out 21st April) and also for our fellow minded allies (mostly those from members together). 

I spoke twice in support of motions on behalf of the Community Service Group Executive on "Challenging racism and discrimination in Community" and then on "Sectoral Bargaining in the Housing Associations Sector". I will post my speeches another time. My branch and London SGE colleagues, Lola and Joseph also spoke as did Denise. 

So a good conference (and seminar). Many thanks to the Hotel staff for looking after us so well and for UNISON staff for supporting us and giving up their Saturday. Bristol was lovely and I will definitely return again. 

UNISON Community Seminar 2025

Yesterday, the UNISON Community (Housing Associations and Voluntary Sector) annual seminar took place in Bristol. The day started at a 9am pre Conference meeting for myself and the Community Service Group Executive. 

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. 

Under the Conservatives: Dentistry isn't working

Hat tip Labour Party & Ken Penton. A powerful image and caption

"Yesterday, hundreds of people desperate for an NHS dentist appointment queued for hours when a new practice opened in Bristol.After 14 years of Tory decline, this is the Britain we live in today. It's time for change.

Labour has a fully funded plan to rescue NHS dentistry with 700,000 emergency appointments and new dentists where they're needed the most".

Bristol Street Art

Just back from a holiday. I spent the first week based in Bristol sightseeing. What struck me was the number of colourful "Street Art" creations on various private buildings. Some were better than others but the best would make you stop and stare.

Bristol is believed to be the birthplace of the infamous Banksy but the only one I recognised was the (vandalised) "Naked Man" work.

During a day trip to Bath, I went to a more traditional Art Gallery which I enjoyed and would recommend if you are into that sort of thing but I thought at the time that in comparison, at its best "Street Art", was far more interesting and left a greater impression on me.

There was a couple of organised "Street Art" walking tours around Bristol which I didn't manage to fit in on this visit.

Last month I posted here a picture of the newly painted Street Art in Holbrook Road, West Ham ward, E15. Another one is planned soon. Maybe in future years Bristol will have some competition!

Bristol itself is a great place to explore. Lots of history, culture, shops, bars and "foodie" restaurants.  The waterfront and docks are well worth a visit. I will post on some walks another time. 

UNISON Labour Link National Forum 2014 #LabLink14

I'm in Bristol for the annual National Forum (conference) of UNISON trade union members who choose to pay the Labour Party political levy.

There are delegates from all UNISON regions and self organised groups. I chaired the London regional delegation meeting last night where we were briefed on the forum and agreed speakers on our London wage council motion.

Most of us then went off for a delegation meal then had a wander around Bristol City centre. This is the first time I have ever been in Bristol and I was astonished how attractive and vibrant the City is.   In the morning I went for a run around the Castle Park and the miles of water fronts and historic docks. Bristol is well worth a return visit.

I am there as a NEC member of the National Labour Link Committee.  It is a motion based conference but there are workshops and a number of interesting speakers including Jon Cruddass MP and Sadiq Khan MP.

I'll try and blog on as many speeches and motions as I can. 

"To my comrades, of any party or none"

"On Sunday evening, after conference had ended, I resigned from the SWP. I will explain why I have left, but before I do that, I first want to explain why for so many years I stayed with the party even while I often criticised it...."

Check out here what seems to be an honest and raw account of why one long standing member of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) has just decided to resign over the way rape allegations against a former senior member of its Central Committee have been handled. 

Picture of students outside ULU in London last weekend for NUS demo "Fed up of the "SWP SH*T". Hat tip Bristol NUS.