Stratford & East London Skyline

Picture from the balcony of East Thames (now L&Q) Housing headquarters in Stratford, Newham, London before a UNISON branch meeting. A stunning view of the Stratford & East London skyline including the Olympic Stadium, docklands and all the recent residential development around the high street.

Alas, nearly all of it completely unaffordable for local residents.

Merger between L&Q, Hyde Group and East Thames Housing Associations

Merger between L&Q, Hyde Group and East Thames Housing Associations

What is UNISON’s role in the merger?

UNISON will be taking an active approach to working with the employers during this period of change and our top priority will be to ensure that our members' jobs and conditions of employment are protected.

UNISON is the recognised trade union for East Thames, Hyde and L&Q, which means that we are the union who speak for staff in all these organisations. We have active and organised shops and stewards in all three Housing Associations.

What will UNISON be doing next?

Over the next few weeks we’ll be holding members' meetings across all three Housing Associations;we will be in touch with dates once these are arranged. During this period of change we’ll be updating members regularly and we want to hear from you about your questions and concerns. Get intouch with your local stewards or contact the branch office.

What can I do?

Please share this with your colleagues and invite them to join UNISON, which they can do by going to www.joinunison.org or with the attached membership form. The more staff we represent, the stronger our voice will be when we talk to management. We're also keen to hear frommembers who would like to take a more active role in the union

Now is the time to get involved! Speak to your local steward or contact the branch office for more information.

How can I contact UNISON?

You can contact the Housing Associations branch at info@unisonhablondon.org or by telephoning 020 7697 4030.

We’ll be updating members on the situation regularly on our website at
www.unisonhablondon.org

(I would also ask why is there NO real voice for residents in this merger process?)
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Big is not always better. Merger between L&Q, Hyde and East Thames Housing Associations

Press release "UNISON HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS BRANCH RESPONSE – MERGER BETWEEN L&Q,

Over 4,000 workers employed by L&Q, Hyde Group and East Thames will be affected by the plans announced today to merge the three Housing Associations. The new ‘super’ Housing Association is expected to become one of the largest social landlords in Europe.

Commenting on the merger, John Gray, Branch Secretary of the UNISON Housing Associations branch said: “We are seeing more and more of these mergers as social landlords try and shore themselves up against an uncertain future. Conservative policies like Right to Buy, Pay to Stay, and the cut to social rent are forcing the social housing sector into turmoil.”

“The housing crisis in London affects all our members and we welcome increased investment in social housing. But the three associations must recognise that big does not always mean better and that residents and staff will have real concerns about this proposal.”

“Employers must recognise that the success of their plans relies on the efforts of their dedicated workforce. UNISON is the union which speaks for workers in East Thames, Hyde, and L&Q and our priority in talks with all three employers will be to ensure that jobs and working conditions are protected.”

For more information contact Josephine Grahl, UNISON Housing Associations Branch Manager/Organiser, on 020 7697 4030/4031 or info@unisonhablondon.org

Notes for editors

· UNISON represents 1.3 million workers employed in the public sector, by private contractors and in the not-for-profit sector, including over 20,000 members in housing associations. The UNISON Housing Associations Branch represents over 3,000 workers in social and supported housing across Greater London.

Update: check out Redbrick view on merger news https://redbrickblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/07/grand-plans-but-tenants-just-an-afterthought-and-worse/

Workers' Memorial Day 2015 at the historic Three Mills Green, Stratford

On Tuesday, 28 April, it was Workers' Memorial Day. An international day to remember those who have been killed at work or died from work related ill health. UNISON estimates this kills up to 50,000 workers every year in the UK. It is also a campaigning day to keep workers safe.

UNISON Greater London Region and Housing Associations branch agreed to each place a wreath of remembrance at the Workers' Memorial in Three Mills Park, Stratford, London. This site overlooks the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The 2001 clasping hands sculpture  by Alec Peever is a memorial to a fatal incident which took place nearby in 1901 when a worker collapsed and died due to "foul air" at a bottom of a distillery well. Three of his workmates died successively trying to pull him out. It also remembers other workers who were killed at this site. This area was the birth place of the industrial revolution in London and also modern day industrial trade unions.

The Labour Parliamentary Candidate for West Ham, Lyn Brown, (and long standing UNISON member) was invited to place the wreath on behalf of Greater London Region & the Housing Associations branch Chair, Tony Power, placed the other wreath. UNISON members and the Health & Safety manager from nearby East Thames Housing Association also attended.

I think that this Sculpture and memorial site is one of the most important working class historical and artistic sites in East London but hardly anyone knows about it. Next year I hope to help arrange a bigger and better organised event.