West Hampstead By Election Day

 

This evening I went to help out with the by election in West Hampstead, Camden. Until relatively recently, I used to work in Camden as a housing officer, specialising in complex tenancy issues and ASB. Despite dealing with some very tricky and difficult issues I am very fond of Camden. 

I was sent out with a group of five to "knock up" voters and remind them to go out and vote. I was with a really excellent team and enjoyed talking to residents and exploring a part of Camden that I didn't really know. 

My first call was to a women who told me she had voted. Her family were about on the doorstep and teased me that they were "all Corbyn voters" but she winked and said she had voted Labour. 

The next call was in a small block of flats and the resident told me that he had always voted Labour in gratitude to the Blair government who saved the life of his family in a conflict zone.. However, he had a dispute with the Council over disrepair and service charges and would not be voting for anyone on this occasion. He insisted that I come into his flat to see signs of water damage in his ceiling (now resolved). I said that I hoped we earn his trust at the next election. He said he would vote Labour again. 

I was waiting outside an communal entry door pressing buttons to contact named residents when a women came out and when I asked her if she had voted she replied she was an opponent of Labour and was going to be representing her party at the election count. 

Oddly, a young couple passed by with a beautiful cat on a lead. The cat seemed fine walking along the street. I called out to them what a lovely cat and joked if it was going to vote Labour? The couple confirmed that it would. 

There were a large number of purpose built and converted flats in the ward, which is always very frustrating to canvass. Often the address details on the election register is inaccurate and many intercom systems appear to be not working. 

I could not stay very long but fingers crossed for the Labour candidate Francesca in the forthcoming Count. 

(and hopefully Camden and other members will be able to assist Newham in our own by election in Plaistow South on September 18)

UPDATE. Sadly Francesca did not win on this occasion but well done to her and the Camden team for a great effort. 

LOW PAY, NO WAY! NSL picket lines

Regional Secretary Jo Galloway visiting the NSL picket lines this morning in Camden, London.

These Traffic wardens deliver a vital service to the community, working long hours doing a difficult job. It’s time for NSL to do the right thing and pay it’s staff fairly!

Camden NSL Parking Wardens Strike

This morning I went to Norwich by train to represent a UNISON member at a hearing then came back into London to attend a HR meeting on employment policies and procedures. On route I came across Camden UNISON members who work for the Parking Contractor NSL holding a lobby out side the new Camden Council office in Kings Cross. I went over and spoke to them and offered solidarity on behalf of their fellow UNISON members in my Branch (Greater London Housing Associations)

These parking wardens are out on strike for 7 days for a decent living wage. Check out the Camden UNISON website on the dispute and a largely supportive article in the local Camden newspaper.

I have sent a members enquiry to Newham Council and asked what our privatised Parking Attendents are paid.

NSL is privately owned by AAC Capital Partners. I will do some digging into who invests in them.