"Remember the dead but fight for the Living": Workers Memorial Day 2016

Please see attached photo and press release on behalf of UNISON Housing Associations Branch, Newham NUT, Newham United Against Austerity and West Ham Labour TULO.

Last Thursday 28 April Trade Unionists and Labour Party supporters gathered around the “Clasped Hands” statue in Three Mills Green, Stratford, E3.

UNISON NEC Member John Gray (and Newham Councillor) spoke to the gathering about the “50,000 workers who die each year in the UK from either accidents or work related ill health. That is 1,000 workers each and every week that die prematurely. The vast majority of these deaths were completely avoidable”.

Tony Power, who works for a local Housing Association in Stratford reminded them about the tragedy that occurred on this site in 1901 that the “clasped hands” monument remembers.  “A worker was repairing a ventilation shaft when he was overcome and collapsed due to fumes. Three of his fellow workers sacrificed their lives by trying to pull him out but they were overcome by fumes as well and sadly died”.  

Retired Newham teacher, Peg Probett, placed the wreath on the memorial.

Newham Councillor, Obaid Khan, thanked the Newham trade unions and NUAA for organising this important event.

Boleyn Ward By election Super Tuesday

Picture collage from last night's canvass by East Ham and West Ham Labour activists in the Boleyn Ward by-election. We met up outside the Bobby Moore Statue and also Upton Park station.  There was at least 20 canvassers.

I was with the team led by the Labour Candidate, Veronica Oakeshott, with existing local ward Councillors, Cllr Obaid Khan and Cllr Harvinder Singh Virdee.

There was some "unorthodox" marking by our Board leader on canvass sheet returns (top left) showing strong Labour supporters. Compared to some "completed" canvass sheets I have seen, this is a really clear indicator of support. Will have to consider suggesting to National Party "Campaign & Resource" team that they should consider adopting it.

The by election is tomorrow (Thursday 3 December) 

There is still leafleting to do. This evening there is a final telephone canvass at the Trinity Centre, East Ave, London E12 6SG from 5.45pm

Thursday - Polling Day. Throughout the day from 9am doorknockers, telecanvass and polling station agents needed.

If you can help out then contact:07876 190 165 or morrislabour@outlook.com

Boleyn by-election - on the knocker on a windy tuesday

This evening I was with the Labour candidate for the Newham Boleyn ward by election, Veronica Oakeshott and comrades from East and West Ham Labour Party. We met outside Upton Park station in East Ham.

It was windy (#StormBarney) but only a little wet. Boleyn ward Councillors, Cllr Obaid Khan and Cllr Harvinder Singh Virdee turned up to help as well.

It was very dark and I regretted not bringing a torch. The canvass team was led by East Ham CLP secretary, Miriam Dawood, who had to use her mobile phone to read out the names and addresses for us to door knock.

There was a fantastic response for Labour from residents.  We would ask them if they wanted to speak to the Labour candidate and Veronica had to rush from door to door to introduce herself to residents.

I could not believe that some residents had already put up Christmas lights and decorations!

The by election is on Thursday 3 December and if you can help out beforehand with any leafleting, door knocking or telecanvassing then please ring 020 8586 7556 (I will post further contact details later).