TUC Congress Day Four

TUC Congress finished on Wednesday. I had to leave early to deal with some urgent work and union case work. Also, on the way home, I stopped off to visit a new "build to rent" housing project in Manchester, part funded by Newham staff pension fund. I will post later on this visit, since it incorporates key worker accommodation at below market rents, which relates to my speech to Congress yesterday. 

There was an excellent presentation by Liverpool dockers who won a major pay rise due to organised strike action. It was good to see Newham union and political activist Zeta Holbourne speak on support for the creative arts. 

See top left of collage, the picture of my fellow delegate, Yvonne Green and myself in front of a large picture, just outside the main conference hall, featuring our London UNISON comrade Eddie Brand. Eddie is the London Ambulance branch branch secretary and is seen delivering a box containing 260,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street demanding to retain the "right to strike". I was wearing a LAS UNISON tee-shirt, which remembers Eric Roberts, its former Branch secretary, a proper scouser, born and bred in Liverpool but who earned the respect of so many of his London members (and elsewhere).  

I love the picture bottom left, of me laughing while in my delegate seat (hat tip picture Yvonne). I cannot remember why but probably due to to a typically funny but wicked remark by my long lost delegate cousin, Malcolm Gray, sitting to my right. 

During conference I enjoyed visits to the Bridewell pub, which is a former Liverpool docks police station and cells. Great beer, reasonable prices and friendly staff. Recommended and if ever reopened as cells, I could think of a few Tory Ministers mentioned at Congress who should be their guests.  

London UNISON at TUC #DemandBetter March & Rally 18 June 22

 

No rest for the wicked -  first day back from 4 day UNISON National conference at Brighton, I went up to join the TUC March and Rally https://www.unison.org.uk/events/tuc-national-demonstration/ in London demanding action on the cost of living crisis. 

We began forming up in Portland Place (outside the BBC studio) for 10.30am then started off at 12 (on time for a change). This was the first big national "march and rally" I had been on in 3 years due to Covid. It was great to meet activists and staff who I have not seen in person for so long. Obviously there was many of us there as well who had spend the previous week locked up in the huge shed that is the Brighton Conference centre.

We marched down to Trafalgar Square then along Whitehall (past you know who's address) and into Parliament Square for a rally. 

You can tell from the photo college that at some stage I had a new tee-shirt courtesy of UNSION London Ambulance Service, remembering the late and much lamented former UNISON President, Eric Roberts. 

As a UNISON Greater London Regional Council Officer, I joined our new Regional Secretary, Jo Galloway and the London team and helped out carrying the Regional banner. Which was a handful at times in the wind. 

It was fantastic that we got so many members coming up to us to wish us luck and offer support including Shadow Secretory of  State for Health, Wes Streeting MP,  Barry Gardiner MP and Leader of Redbridge Council (as well as Chair of LGA Labour Group), Cllr Jas Athwal. 

I was pleased also to see Rachel Blake (see photo bottom left), who as Chair of London Labour Link following a selection process with our vice chair Yvonne Green, we recently endorsed as a London Labour Link early nominee for the Parliamentary seat in Cities of London & Westminster. Good luck Rachel in this process since we need people like you to stand and win seats for Labour. 

While carrying the Regional banner, I had a number of conversations with various activists who for some reason were interested in the nomination process.

We finished in Parliament Square where there was a rally which included a brilliant contribution from our General Secretary Christina McAnea “The people holding the hands of dying patients were our members, while the Tories were partying in Downing Street”

Today I saw my union at its very best. I hope that from tomorrow onwards, those who profess that they want the union to succeed and keep us united will do the right thing. Nuf said after a great day. 

Trade Union Congress 2017 #TUC17

Now in Brighton for TUC annual conference. I will be trying as usual to post on speeches and fringes.

Congress started for UNISON with a delegation meeting at 3pm where we decided our policy on motions, agreed speakers and support for the General Council report and the TUC campaign plan 2017-18. 

The conference opened at 4pm with this years President, Mary Bousted, welcoming delegates and sororal/fraternal visitors. I was once on a panel at a Labour Party conference fringe on Pensions with Mary.

Congress then stood while obituaries of leading activists was displayed on the screen including that of the still sad loss of our former UNISON President (and my friend) Eric Roberts.

UNISON National Delegate Conference 2017 - Tuesday

My Conference day started with a short jog up and down the famous Brighton beach. The weather was hot even at 7.30am.

At 8.30am we had our first UNISON NEC meeting to discuss and (hopefully) agree on any outstanding matters or policy positions.

Conference itself starts at 10am on its first day.  Firstly there is the "welcome to conference" speech by the Senior Vice President, Carol Sewell. She introduces all our international guest visitors.

Followed by Standing Order Committee (SOC) reports 1 and 2 (it is a long standing tradition at NDC to play reference back ping pong with SOC).

This is followed by a presentation and vote on our annual report and our year end financial statement. Our first motion of conference was 18 "Stepping up the campaign against bullying and harassment".

During lunch I went to the UNISON "There for You" AGM as a NEC member of the charities board of trustees. After lunch there was another round of ping pong and further motions debated including the 55 "UNISON and the WASPI campaign" about the rip of pensions by this government for many women.

Our General Secretary, Dave Prentis, gave a very powerful speech during which he thanked our emergency workers for all they had done in recent times and talked about the unexpected loss of his comrade, our President Eric Roberts.  After the speech I could see from the NEC platform a number of delegates wiping tears from their eyes and there was a (genuine) standing ovation by Conference.

In the afternoon there were more debates. Conference finished at 5pm. On the way back to my accommodation I was stopped and "persuaded" to go an excellent fringe on "Pensions and climate change".

Remembering Eric - A UNISON celebration of the life of our President Eric Roberts

"The life of Eric Roberts, a lifelong servant of our union and of those in greatest need, will be celebrated at a UNISON event in London in February.

Our President, who passed away at the end of November, worked for the London Ambulance Service for 42 years and was the first UNISON member from the ambulance service to be elected as UNISON President.

Eric was a friend to many in this union and this is your opportunity to come and celebrate his life with other UNISON members, UNISON staff and people from other organisations that Eric supported with all the passion and enthusiasm that he showed for our union.

The celebration will be held on Wednesday 8 February at 3pm in Congress Centre, TUC, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS.

If you would like to attend please click on the link below to register.

Link to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-memorial-tribute-to-eric-roberts-tickets-31329215527

                                                

Dave Prentis

UNISON General Secretary                            

Eric Roberts - plans for memorial tribute

"Following the sad and untimely death of UNISON's president, Eric Roberts, the General Secretary and the Presidential Team have proposed that UNISON should host an event in Eric’s memory as a tribute to his life and work.  

The NEC suggested that the event should be held on the 8th February, possibly in the afternoon in central London.  This is a tentative date at this stage as we need to evaluate the potential number of attendees.

Please use this survey to register your attendance so we can establish the number of people who will be there and help us make a final decision on the venue and a date.  You can complete the survey multiple times and share it with others to register:

 https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/EricRobertsMemorial

(In real life Eric would have been embarrassed about any "fuss and bother" being made over him and he would definitely had made a self depreciating joke or two about such plans. But I do know that a number of UNISON activists, up and down the country, want to come and show their respect for Eric and I am really pleased that UNISON is taking such care in planning this event)

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

Remembering Eric (President of UNISON)

Yesterday evening and this morning I had the sad duty to ring London UNISON activists and inform them that Eric had died. He was a friend and a comrade.

This is from our General Secretary, Dave Prentis. You can leave tributes on this page. If you didn't know him Eric is the person with the biggest smile in the photo:)

"Eric Roberts was our President, but more importantly he was a loyal and true friend to so many of us

Eric Roberts, a lifelong servant of our union, and of those in greatest need, has died after a brief struggle with cancer.

He was the President of UNISON, but more importantly he was a loyal and true friend to so many of us.

Born in Litherland, a proud Scouser and Liverpool fan, Eric was a man who lived enough – and had stories to tell – for more than one lifetime. From fixing drums for the Beatles, to wine waiter, baker and pots and pans seller – Eric eventually found his way to London. And one day, seeing an ambulance shooting down Oxford Street, he decided that’s what he’d like to do.

He had found his calling. For 42 years he served the London Ambulance Service with the passion and dedication for which he became well-known, and his union as branch secretary, NEC member and – this year – our President. He was the first ambulance person to be elected as UNISON President – something that I know was a source of immense pride to Eric, his branch, his family and everyone who knew him.

Eric wasn’t someone who sought out high office. Ambition wasn’t what drove him. Instead, it was an unstoppable desire – a need – to serve people and help people. To represent them and to do his best for them.

To Eric, everyone in the union and the ambulance service had a part to play – and every day he did his job to the best of his ability, and brought out the best in others at the same time. His loyalty to this union was as unquestionable and unswerving as his love for its members.

I will miss his honesty. I will miss his infectious personality. But most of all I will miss his friendship. Eric Roberts was a good man who gave so much to so many people. Eric said upon his election as President that UNISON was the “best union in the country”, but the truth is that Eric was the best of us.

Today, our thoughts are with his children Jack and Rhian, family, friends and colleagues, as our union mourns one of our biggest personalities, most loved friends and most powerful advocates for the values that sustain our union.

Eric Roberts – I will miss you".

TUC March and Rally Manchester - #No2Austerity @4OctDemo

This picture is of UNISON members from London Ambulance Service (LAS) carrying our regional banner at the TUC demo today at Manchester.

Second from left is UNISON Vice President, Eric Roberts, who is the branch secretary of LAS.

This was a great day with an estimated 80,000 trade unionists (and many with their families) from all over the UK taking part in a rally and march against Austerity and the fascistic Anti-Trade Union bill.

The Conservative Party are holding their annual conference at Manchester and it is important to let them know that their extremist right wing agenda is dividing and destroying our country.

Reflections on UNISON National Delegate Conference 2015.

It's now been over a week since the end of UNISON National Delegate Conference (NDC)  in Glasgow and I have just about recovered from the traditional post conference lergy.

This is what happens after being locked up for 4 days in what is really a very large shed, with dodgy air conditioning and thousands of other people.

NDC is one of the largest trade union events in the world. It was announced at conference that there was over 3000 delegates and visitors. The largest number ever registered which is interesting considering the challenges that unions, especially in the public sector face.

There are my personal views and reflections of what I actually think was one of the most successful UNISON conferences I have been to even though of course I have just a few little moans.

I was there as an elected member of the UNISON National Executive Council for Community (Housing Association and Voluntary Sector). My region Greater London, had over 200 delegates and my Branch, Housing Associations, had 4 delegates and had 3 ordinary and one emergency motion accepted for conference.

Two of our delegates managed to speak during conference and the other two tried a number of times but were knocked out by other delegates moving points of order to push conference business on. Most UNISON branches do not send any motions to conferences nor do they have any delegates speaking. So our branch still did well to represent the views of our rank and file members but we need to think again how we arrange speakers in conference to try and make sure that important debates are not closed down too early simply because some activists want their pet motions to be heard.

I admit to be a conference junkie and enjoyed reading all the flyers and the newsletters and listening to all the debates, even to those who try to explain how the revolution and a land of milk and honey is just around the corner, if only we demanded a "general strike". If only it was so simple.

There was also some amusing calls for unity by those who then went on to attack the unions lay leadership, our national officers, the Labour Party and uncle Tom Cobley.

Others appear to not realise that Labour has been out of Government since 2010 and that the Tories were actually re-elected in May for another 5 years.

Instead of complaining constantly that the Labour Party is not going to be the 5th International, we should be making sure that our members are supported and encouraged to further our union aims and values within our own political wing.

The vast majority of speakers and debates were fantastic and UNISON should be very proud of its delegates and their informed, intelligent and often witty contributions about the great issues of the day.

There is a genuine debate to be had about the future direction of the union and how we support and protect our members and strive for change. I feel confident that we can win battles if we choose carefully and don't seek out cliffs to march over in search of more "glorious defeats".

Our General Secretary, Dave Prentis, made it clear that we were prepared to take on the Government. We survived 2010 and we will survive 2015. He promised to increase number of stewards, treble the number of fighting fund organisers, double our legal funds and take a national lead in campaigning and protest.

We also had fantastic international speakers and fringe events.  Brilliant stalls and exhibitions in the UNISON zone. We even had our own demo and lobby outside Glasgow City Hall in support of sacked SECC UNISON steward Robert O'Donnell and striking Glasgow Homeless caseworkers.

I chaired a fringe on the Local Government Pension Scheme and spoke twice as a NEC member. Firstly to move the composite on Pensions on their behalf and then in support of the re-prioritised composite on Housing. Both composites had motions from my branch incorporated in them. Last year none of the motions I was going to speak upon came up so I did not speak. Such is life.

I thought my fellow NEC trustee on the UNISON staff pension fund, Lucia McKee, was one of our great lay Presidents and chair of conference. Lucia was fair minded but took no nonsense and was a good humoured but to the point champion of conference. I am a cynic about some things at times but am so proud that UNISON continues to grow its activists and show time and time again that genuine working class women and men can prove to be great leaders of our union.

At the end of conference the new NEC met for the first time and we elected our President for the year, former school meals cook and long time Labour Councillor, Wendy Nichols. London Ambulance Service Branch secretary, Eric Roberts, is now the senior Vice President and West Mids, Carol Sewell, was also elected as the new Vice President.

I eventually got home in London just before midnight and have spent the last week since largely coughing and spluttering with conference lergy. 

Vote for London Health Candidates: UNISON NEC elections 2015

London Ambulance Service member, Eric Roberts, and Lewisham hospital nurse, Mike Davey, are standing as London health candidates on behalf of the forces of light and reason against the evil ones. 

Stuart Barber "A true tribune of working people...a comrade in arms"

On Saturday I went to the celebration of the life of London UNISON regional officer and my good comrade, Stuart Barber, who sadly died unexpectedly of a heart attack earlier this year aged 64.

The celebration was held in Conway Hall in Red Lion Square, Holborn. London UNISON regional secretary, Linda Perks, spoke first about this being a celebration of Stuart's life as well as remembering him. His death was a shock to work colleagues, UNISON members and his family.

Stuart was born in Scotland in 1949. He started his involvement in our Labour movement family as a steward in the steel works in Corby. He was a leading activist in the fight to try and stop its  closure.

His union recognised his talents as an organiser and sent him to the famous Ruskin College in Oxford.  Afterwards he become an official for the National Union for Public Employees (NUPE) which was a predecessor union of UNISON. Firstly in Wales then in London. He had 35 years of service to our union.

Linda remembered his commitment and dedication to the union and colleagues. He was brave and loyal, who put members first. If he came across an injustice, he would turn every stone to overcome it. He was not however a self appointed crusader for the working class but also caring and kind.

Linda and many others had never met his daughter but felt they knew all about her since he was so proud and would tell us all about her.

London Ambulance Service (LAS) branch secretary and Vice President of UNISON, Eric Roberts spoke next. He first came across Stuart during the LAS pay strike of 1989. He was their new regional official with this gritty, hard, Scottish accent who was full of energy. This was a bitter dispute with ambulance workers locked out and troops sent in to try and break the strike.

It was a battle but Stuart was in his element. He should have been a spy or a secret agent since one of his talents was to obtain very confidential information from management in order to help win the dispute

Next was Jeremy from Wandsworth branch, who remembers Stuart ringing him up days before he died (while officially off sick after his first heart attack) but still working hard from home worrying about his members.

Stuart's partner Clare spoke about his "cloak and dagger" activities when he was in Cardiff, also getting confidential information to aid the union. She told us that there will be candles lit and Red Flags flying in honour of Stuart today in Wales as well.

Debbie was next. A young UNISON organiser and colleague, who told us straight from her heart, that not only was Stuart's knowledge and skills second to none, he was a friend and mentor, without whom she would not be here today. She missed the chats and moans during their "catch ups" in Cafe Nero. No question was ever stupid to him. He will be sadly missed but left very fond memories.

Mike use to be the branch treasurer for Richmond Local Government. He had known Stuart for many years and had similar experiences as others. Stuart was not a normal Regional officer. He was the "Scottish tornado". A 7 days per week man. He remembers a Council Assistant Director who whenever he saw Stuart in the Town Hall would immediately turn in the opposite direction and try to sneak away. When they made Stuart - they broke the mould.

London UNISON Health Manager, Chris Remington, read out to us an address by our former General Secretary, Rodney Bickerstaffe, who had to be at the Miners Gala that day. Rodney had great memories of Stuart. He was quick witted and full of banter. Mischievous, cheeky and very funny. A true tribune of working people. A comrade in arms.

Stuart's brother in law Andy spoke about a hugely principled and courageous trade unionist. A marvellous father. Stuart would have been a wonderful investigative journalist. He remembers Stuart leaking information about clandestine British Government activates in Ireland during the Troubles which made front page news in the Irish Press.

Linda finished by reminding us that Stuart had died too young but we must remember how rich a life he had and how he contributed to the welfare and benefit of colleagues and our members. He lives on in the life of our union and our members. "We will always remember you and always love you".

High above the floor in the main auditorium in at Conway Hall there is their motto "to thine own self be true". At the time I smiled and thought... that is Stuart...to a tee.

(Great picture of Stuart in his younger days fighting some fight on behalf of his union)

UNISON NEC London & Health Candidates: Use your vote and have your say!

More candidates in UNISON NEC elections 2013 who support the interests of ordinary union members.

Defibrillators save lives

If you have a heart attack then the best chance of you not dying on the spot is if someone can get a defibrillator to treat you within 5 minutes. For every minute after an attack your chances of survival without such treatment drops by 14%.

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and "mouth to mouth" is still important as a last resort but in comparison with defibrillators this does not save as many lives.

Defibrillators are small hand held safe electronic devices that automatically diagnoses life threatening conditions and applies a treatment that can restart someones heart. It saves lives without further risk to the person you are helping or yourself. There are no real legal risks for you or your organisation (unless you are completely stupid and act in a grossly negligent manner).

I have signed up to this public e-petiton call for all public buildings to install defibrillators and train staff. This petition came about after the tragic death of teenager Oliver King and points out that it is not only older people who are at risk but 12 youngsters die every week from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).  The footballer Fabrice Muamba who dramatically collapsed in March was saved by a defibrillator.

As I have mentioned before my father (aged 72) had a heart attack in a high street. He was given CPR and mouth to mouth by a trained first aider but was certified dead when he arrived in hospital (he was doing a 14 day long distance walk and camping out wild which he had been warned by his GP not to do so but that is another matter). My family have wondered whether or not if a defibrillator had been available it would have made any difference? We will never know but the evidence suggests it could have done if carried out within this 5 minute window.

I have spoken to Monica who is our Regional Equalities officer and a fully qualified NHS nurse who has carried out CPR and saved lives through defibrillation and Eric who is the very experienced paramedic branch secretary of the London Ambulance Service, both fully support lay people being trained to use defibrillators and they believe it will save lives.

My employer at our joint health and safety committee has agreed to look into providing defibrillators at our offices and training staff. I would encourage all employees to do the same.

NB To be clear if you come across someone who appears to be having a heart attack and there is no defibrillator available and you have not been trained to do CPR then follow the advice of my London Welsh compatriot Vinnie!

Hat tip Jake Morrison

UNISON Health workers reject divisive 2 year pay freeze

This is the official UNISON press release "Members of UNISON’s Health Service Group Executive have today rejected a two-year freeze on pay increments, on top of the pay freeze imposed by the Government.

NHS Employers had offered a no compulsory redundancy agreement in return for the freeze. Members rejected the deal because there was no guarantee that all employers would abide by it. It would not be binding, but left to individual Trusts to decide whether or not to offer the guarantee.

Mike Jackson, Senior National Officer for Health said: “The Service Group Executive said today that they could not support a further pay freeze for nurses, paramedics and other low paid, mainly women workers. “The funding gap in the NHS is so great that members were sceptical that Trusts would abide by a no compulsory redundancy agreement for two years.  “Additionally they felt that the offer was divisive because it excluded high level clinicians, such as matrons, senior occupational therapists and midwife supervisors.”

While these pearls of wisdom to his members are from London Ambulance UNISON branch secretary Eric Roberts (left in picture with broad smile next to UNISON London regional conveyor Gloria Hanson on G20 March 2009)

"Dear all,

Just to keep you in the picture concerning the proposal from NHS Employers and to inform you of my contribution on behalf of the Branch and the Union next week.

On Monday I am attending an extraordinary National Ambulance Sector meeting and straight after that I am attending an extraordinary Health Service Group Executive meeting 

There is one agenda item. That is to agree or not to agree that the Union should enter into negotiations (tentative or otherwise) with the NHS Employers to accept an AfC incremental freeze (on top of the planned pay freeze) in return for an agreement concerning compulsory redundancies within the NHS.

That is the core of the agreement although there is also mention of a freeze in employee pension contributions and other fringe add on’s. This part has yet to be finalised. 

Although most people were not happy, most accepted the simple understanding that the pay freeze may well save jobs, and on that basis bit their tongues.  What is being asked this time is totally different.

These are important meetings that will decide how the Union deals with the Coalition regarding Health. This is a big decision on a lot of levels.  I intend to vote no. I will speak against the Union entering this type of agreement. I will vote no and speak against at both meetings.

I believe that it is obscene that health workers are being blackmailed and held to ransom by this Government and that we are being asked to take the responsibility for the NHS finances, while at the same time being to blame if any jobs go.

I realize of course that any way I vote has consequences. If I vote for it then our members will not only have a pay freeze but will also not have their contractual right of an incremental pay spine rise.

If I vote against then the spectre of compulsory redundancies will be laid at our door with the accusation of being selfish and not caring. I believe in Partnership but this is not partnership. This is a gun held cynically to the Union’s head.

My guess is that the Ambulance Sector as a body will vote no. It is a fact of course that ambulance services will not be as cut as many other health organisations and that may well influence a lot of the vote.  The SGE is another matter. Many members there will be facing huge job losses back at their trusts and will have a huge struggle with their conscience.

I do not know how the vote will go at that meeting.  Dave Prentis has said that ‘Our time has come’!

Unison is big enough to stand on it’s own two feet (or it’s 1.5 million x 2 feet!). The financial crisis is not the fault of health workers. Of course there is always a chance that more information will be made available and the deal being sought is not what we think.

I do not also know what the other health unions will decide.  I know that you trust me to make the right decision.  I will update you all at the Branch Committee meeting.

Best wishes  

Eric

20th Anniversary of National Ambulance Strike

This year is the 20th Anniversary of the National Ambulance Strike.  UNISON Health NEC member Eric Roberts (and current branch secretary of the London Ambulance Service) remembers the strike and the aftermath in "Ambulance Today". 

Overall, thanks in part to this dispute and hard work by UNISON over the years the Ambulance Service is now much improved and a far better employer to work for.

See PDF page 28 here.  Eric is the one speaking.  (Nowadays he does not need a hat to keep his hair dry:)

Eric Roberts: UNISON Members First and Foremost

(Guest post by Conroy Lawrence, who works in Lewisham hospital and whose health branch nominated Eric. Conroy is the Chair of London Regional UNISON Health committee and the London Deputy Convenor. In his personal capacity Conroy is writing in support of Eric who is standing for a Health vacancy in the UNISON National Executive Council - our NEC).

“I fully support Eric to be a national health representative on the UNISON NEC. Eric is a very experienced secretary of his Ambulance Service Branch. He puts UNISON members First and Foremost.

As a health worker myself I know how essential the Ambulance Service is to what all of us do - Eric has a lot of real practical real life experience as a health worker and union representative. He is well known and respected up and down the country. He knows how to fight our corner without calling for constant strikes or demonstrations. He will not let us down.

If you are a UNISON health member you should get a ballot paper next week – please don’t just put it in the drawer and forget about it, fill it out, vote for Eric and post it as soon as you can. Pass the word around to your colleagues. The ballot papers are out next week.

I do not know a better person to recommend to UNISON health members than Eric Roberts”.

(click on the election statements to read or download them - pass them to colleagues but do not use union resources to do so)