Workers Memorial Day 2025: Clasping hands statue in Stratford, Newham

 

Last week my UNISON branch organised the annual Workers Memorial Day event at the "Clasping Hands" statute in Three Mills Green, Bow, Newham. 

This is the site of an historic "accident" where 3 workers died, one after each other, trying to pull out another worker, who had collapsed at the bottom of a ventilation shaft from poisoned gas. 

Local MPs, Uma Kumaran and James Asser laid wreaths at the memorial together with Safety officers from Clarion and L&Q Housing Associations. Uma, James and London Assembly member, Unmesh Desai, together with others, also spoke about the importance of this day, not only in remembering those who were killed at work or died of industrial injuries but as a day to think about campaigning in the future to protect those currently at work. 

I introduced the event as UNISON Housing Associations branch chair and our branch Secretary, Joseph Ogundemuren gave closing remarks. Afterwards we gathered outside the site of the actual shaft nearby. 

Homerton Ambulance Station Picket line 23.1.23

This lunch time I went to show solidarity to striking UNISON Ambulance workers, on their picket line in Homerton, East London. I went as a GLR UNISON Regional Council Officer but also on behalf of my branch. My branch Chair (and fellow Labour Councillor) Joseph Ogundemuren, was also with me. 

Despite the cold it was yet another well organised, cheerful and lively LAS picket with lots of support from the passing public. As we were leaving, an ambulance with two of the pickets left to go out on a priority "life or limb" call. 

Later on my UNISON colleague (and local resident) Sonya Howard also joined the picket line (bottom left of collage). 

UNISON Housing Association Branch says Goodbye & Thank You

Yesterday I went to a "real" leaving "do" in central London for our temporary branch case worker Susan (with members of our executive, branch and regional staff).

Since Susan was employed during Covid pandemic, I had never actually met her in person beforehand but I had did her virtual induction when she started and had spoken to her on the telephone a number of times.

Also, I had not met physically some of the others present since way before the first lockdown. 

It was brilliant to meet up with everyone in person but I must admit that I was disappointed at the lack of mask wearing on the Underground going there and back. Also, 2  people had to drop out of the celebration because they were waiting for the results of Covid PCR tests. 

We are certainly not out of the Covid woods yet but lets enjoy meeting people (safely) when we can.  

#UNDC18 UNISON NDC Wednesday fringes

Pictures from Conference floor; 25th Anniversary of UNISON celebration with my branch delegates two important fringes on Pensions and Housing. 

UNISON Community Conference 2017: Day 2 (& many thanks to Kevin)

Collage from last week's day 2 National UNISON Community Conference in Bournemouth. Check out first 24 hours here.

Steve Reed MP gave the keynote speech for the seminar and took no prisoners from those who said in the Q&A that it was possible for Councils to pass "legal no cuts" budgets.

I gave a presentation at workshops on "Democratising Housing Associations" with my London Regional Officer, Colin Inniss.

Our long serving Chair of our Community Service Group, Kevin Jackson, (top left)  announced that he will be stepping down this year. He told me that he will be expecting a blog post on this since I did one for his predecessor! Kevin has been a fantastic Chair and will be hard to replace.

Both of my UNISON branch motions were passed. I spoke on the one regarding Housing Associations on behalf of the SGE. A number of branch members spoke on a number of different motions.

There were many fine speeches but I remember the most the personal contributions from a number of delegates, who were from Eastern Europe and were obviously very concerned about their future in the UK following Brexit. They were all care and support workers. How disgraceful that they fear for their future, when they provide so much desperately needed care for our elderly, sick and vulnerable.

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?)
.

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/

#uNDC15 - Branch support for composite on Pensions

More stuff from UNISON conference. I moved the Pensions Composite on Wednesday and then Doreen was one of the supportive speakers. Our original branch motion on pensions was one of those composited. It is all a bit confusing to those outside the union bubble but welcome to my world. 

"President, Conference. Doreen Davies, Greater London Housing Association Branch speaking in favour of Composite D.

Conference, campaigning for decent pensions, was one of the major reasons for the birth of trade unions in the public sector. The reasons why our trade union ancestors fought for pensions are exactly the same reasons as today.

Decent Pensions are and have always been expensive and the simple truth is unless we can make our employer pay enough money into it then we will end up living in poverty when we grow old.

What we now find is that this Tory government, in order to please its friends and financiers in the City of London, are trying to not only destroy the existing pensions built up by our members but at the same time as they are trying to destroy our pension futures by allowing employers to pay peanuts into our pensions.

Conference, be scared, be very, very scared. There is an army of thieves out there actively planning to cheat you out of your money. On holidays in Spain this summer don’t be surprised if you find yourself being lured into a meeting with someone not to discuss timeshare but how they are going to “liberate” your pension.

Conference, we cannot trust the City of London to look after out interests. Do you remember past miss-selling frauds of personal pensions, endowments and the current the loan insurance scandal.

You cannot trust this Government either to look after your interests. Remember a majority of money to fund the Conservative Party comes from City interests and hedge funds who have been rubbing their hands in glee at recent changes and will be profiteering at your expense. .

Conference, you can only rely on your union to protect you and your interests. Conference, please support this motion today but next week, conference, support campaign to save your pension and for a decent and safe pension for all. Thank you. 

Thank you, Good luck and Goodbye - to a Workers Champion

Picture from last night's leaving dinner for my branch outreach worker, Andy Robertson (2nd on
right).

Andy is a former UNISON Housing activist in Leeds who left to become a mature student at university to study a HR (Human Relations - what we use to call "Personnel") degree.

He passed with first class honours.

He has worked for the branch for the last 9 months on a temporary basis while we are restructuring the branch office. Andy is leaving to work with the Baptist Church in Wyoming, United States of America.

Andy is from the Christian Socialist tradition of the Labour Movement and as well as being a trade unionist is a part time Baptist preacher. It was great to meet his lovely wife who is a HR officer! They must have some interesting conversations about "how was work today?".

He will be working for the Labour Party as an organiser in the run up to the General election, which meant that his leaving do had to be brought forward to Friday at the last minute.

Many thanks to Andy for all his hard work during the past 9 months. During his time he helped build an effective steward structure in a number of key employers as well as some stunning successes  while representing members in disputes and hearings.

 

"Protect Our Pensions" - Tories latest attempt to destroy peoples futures

While driving today I listened to "Money Box" on Radio 4. The programme was about investing a windfall. Experts warned about all the financial rogues and con merchants out there who will rob people out of their money. It reminded of the motion below that my branch has sent to next year's UNISON London Regional Council AGM.

In a piece of blatant electioneering and extreme right wing ideology, Tory Chancellor George Osborne, is putting the retirement of millions in jeopardy. Unions have got to wake and warn our members about the threat to their futures.

"New Government provisions enabling pension fund members to cash in their pensions on retirement come into play from April 2015. These apply to all funded schemes – including the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

This Regional Council expresses deep concern regarding these proposals. Not only will members retiring be exposed to misguided enticement to cash in their hard earned savings early, thereby potentially jeopardising their future financial security – but a surfeit of members wishing to take advantage of these provisions could endanger the future stability of the scheme itself.

Regional Council is fully committed to ensuring our members get a fair deal in their retirement and supporting the LGPS. To this end we call on the NEC to organise a high profile member information campaign which explains the pros and cons of cashing in pension fund savings and where possible promotes the benefits of remaining in the LGPS once retired".

(This motion to be considered for NDC and if successful the wording to be changed according)

Capital Stewardship Fringe - introduction #uNDC14

This is introduction to the fringe I chaired on Wednesday evening.

"Welcome. My name is John Gray I am branch secretary of Greater London region Housing Association branch and an NEC member for Community. I have also been a member of the Local Government Pension Fund (LGPS) since 1993 and since 1996 I have been an observer then a member nominated representative (MNR) on my scheme investment panel and pension committee.

On my right is a person who needs no real introduction, Colin Meech, UNISON national officer for Capital Stewardship and LGPS governance specialist.

The agenda for today’s meeting is a few words from me following by an update by Colin on the latest developments on the governance of the LGPS.

I have been paying around 6% of my wages into my Pension for over 20 years. My employers have been paying the equivalent of about 14% of my wages, my deferred pay for the same period.

To be clear. My pension fund is my own money. Yet when I first became a pension rep on my scheme and began asking what was happening with my money, the 20% of my pay that I and my fellow union members had been paying into the fund, I remember being told by one Councillor on its pension panel that I was "an observer, and observers should be observe and not speak".

Now, as you can imagine I gave that Councillor the benefit of my views on my right to speak and raise questions about my money at this and any other future meeting. To be fair that was the last time that happened to me but that attempt to put me in my place reminded me that essentially, we were powerless in the LGPS, especially compared to private sector member nominated representatives who had the legal right to be full members of pension boards with voting rights.

To be frank I was lucky in my scheme that we were even “allowed” to attend the pension committee. Some UNISON members were told by Chairs that "over their dead body would they have a union rep at their meeting”. Note the view that this is “their” meeting. Of course some Funds had no pension committee at all, and the fund was run by a Chief Officer alone. There have also been well run funds that welcome MNRs.

This is why I am so pleased thanks largely to UNISON and our national officers such as Colin that we now have some real rights and responsibilities to govern our own money. Colin will brief you on the next steps but he will also warn you about the inevitable resistance by vested interests to the democratisation and efficient running of our funds. The usual suspects still want things to remain the same and treat us as 2nd class trustees.

Colin will also point us in the right direction but it is up to all of us to do our bit and make sure that we stop the financial services industry ripping off our pension funds and making sure that we invest our money in long term, sustainable, well managed investments that don’t for example employ child labour, doesn't kill its workers, bride public officials or destroys the environment.

Not only do we not want our money used in this way but also it is our belief that this will make more money for our fund than short term speculation. 

I have now witted on enough and will pass you over to Mr Meech. Q&A afterwards. We will finish at 6.15pm".

(I will post a report on Colin's presentation next)

Sectorial Wage Councils for Vulnerable Workers

Both our branch motions were passed at last week's UNISON London Annual Regional Council AGM. I'll post my speech moving the motion next.

Only one delegate actually voted against our motion calling for wage councils and another made a very odd speech supposedly in support. Neither of course were female, BME, low paid workers on zero hour contracts with no sick pay or pensions. 

• All service groups in UNISON will have members who are employed by private contractors that have traditionally suffered from low pay and poor employment conditions. 
• For example Social care and support, private health care, cleaning, security and catering services. These sectors also tend to employ women and BME staff, pay the minimum wage rate with no decent sickness protection or pensions on insecure contracts.
• The employers are often very small and have fragmented workplaces over a large geographically area. Many staff also work part time and/or shift work. 
• It has always been very difficult and challenging for unions to organise in these workplaces which are a major reason for the low pay and poor conditions. 
• Due to Austerity and the polices of this Tory led government the pay and conditions of these already badly paid staff has gone down due to cuts in government, council and health budgets. 
• Attacks on TUPE and the growth of Zero hours employment contracts have made things even worse. Millions of UK workers are treated in this way. The Government has to spend billions of pounds on tax credits and housing benefit subsidising employers who treat their staff in this way. 
• This is an unacceptable state of affairs in the 5th richest economy in the world. In other European countries such vulnerable workers are protected by wage councils where employers and trade unions collectively bargain on binding national agreements not only on pay but training, overtime, sickness benefits, holidays, pensions and trade union recognition. 
• In the UK during the 1930’s the Conservative Government of the time set up wage councils in order to increase demand in the economy in order to pull the Country out of recession. Over the years these Councils have been abolished by post Thatcher Conservative governments on free market ideological grounds most recently the Agricultural wages Council in 2013 

1. This Greater London Regional Council believes that the UK should support and campaign for the setting up of Sectorial wage Councils in this Country for such vulnerable employment sectors.
2. Regional Labour Link should be asked to consider supporting such a campaign.

(if this motion is passed and sent to any other forum then the wording should be changed accordingly)

MEAT is murder-ing Care Quality and leading to a race to the bottom

MEAT in Care and Support stands for "Most Economically Advantageous Tender(s)". 

Check out last Fridays "Inside Housing" for this account by top UNISON Regional Organiser, Colin Inniss of why MEAT is a disaster for employees and clients because it results in price being the determining factor in a successful bid. 

Colin supports my UNISON Housing Association branch in London and also the Voluntary Organisations branch. 

He has seen first hand how
"You cannot deliver consistently high standards by impoverishing the pay and pensions of staff and compelling them to work ever longer hours. You simply end up demoralising staff, downgrading their professional skills and increasing their vulnerability; and all for the aim of winning and retaining that competitive tender.
It’s not rocket science; in an unseemly race to the bottom, no one wins".

UNISON Community Conference 2014: Final Call for delegates Friday 20th December 5pm

"Dear colleagues, all Community branches can send delegates to UNISON’s Community Service Group Conference (in Brighton, 28 February – 2 March 2014).  The deadline is this Friday 20 December.

All UNISON members have the right to participate in our democratic structures and to help determine the policy of the union as it affects them.  

Community Conference is a key event for UNISON members in charities, housing associations and campaigning organisations, and as a relatively new service group, it also plays a vital role in bringing together our activists who often feel isolated.

Please urgently register delegates from your branch.

Deadlines:

·         Submitting delegates: 20 December 2013 at 17:00

·         Changing delegates: 24 February 2014 at 17:00

Once delegates are selected, they need to be registered with the UNISON conference office using the online conference system (OCS).  Further details on the conference are available on www.unison.org.uk/about/events-and-conferences/national-conferences/community-conference-2014.

(email from Simon at National office. Picture of UNISON Housing Association branch having a delegation meeting and bite to eat on beach in Brighton during Community Conference 2012)

Real Art John?

Hat tip top former UNISON Trouble maker in Chief, Professor Paul McCabe, Bermondsey and Bow University of Life.

Branch Outreach Worker Job Advert

Salary: £33,440 (+ £4947 London weighting) and 1% pay rise from July 2013

Hours: 35 hours - 3 month Fixed term contract (may last longer)

Job location: North London base (N7)

Reference number:

Job description: UNISON is the biggest trade union for people working in housing. Our members work in housing associations, trusts, groups and co-ops in the London and South East area. UNISON Housing Associations Branch has around 3200 members working in social housing in the Greater London Area. Our members work for over 180 employers. We have 11 workplaces with over 100 members, and many other workplaces with smaller groups of members. We organise and represent all staff, whatever post they hold. We recruit in every group of workers; Support Workers, Team Leaders, Housing Officers, Cleaners, Housing Managers. UNISON recruits temporary and agency workers. Sixty seven per cent of branch members are women. We have over 100 elected local representatives. We are recruiting for a Branch Outreach Worker. The overall aims of the job are: Delivering casework and development support in equal measure to the Housing Associations Branch, showing flexibility in responding to varying peaks in demand; Providing advice to and representing members of the Housing Associations Branch, where there is no local representative or where the local representative requires additional support; Referring cases on to the UNISON Regional Officer where a legal opinion is sought; Recruiting members to the Housing Associations Branch; Recruiting, developing and training Stewards and other activists; Negotiating with employers on behalf of UNISON members; Implementing Branch Development Plan; and advising Branch Officers on recruitment strategies and difficulties.

Closing date: 28 Jun 2013 17:00

Contact for more information: Interviews: TBC but likely to be in week starting 8 July 2013. For an application form, job description and person specification email info@unisonhablondon.org or contact UNISON Housing Associations Branch, Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA. (TUC vacancies Website)

UNISON marching for a future that works October 2012

UNISON Housing Association Branch and London Regional Banner are in the opening sequences. A great video of a great 2012 day.

UNISON NDC 12: Elder Abuse motion

Conference, President, Joel Bodmer housing association branch Supporting motion 83 Elder Abuse.

It has often been said that you can judge a civilisation not by its wealth, standing or privilege but on how it treats it’s most vulnerable.

The later years in one’s life should be a time for reflection and enjoyment, an opportunity to spend time doing those things people never had change to do in chance to do in younger life. After years of hard work , contribution and service to our society. The very least people should expect is that their basic human rights are protected.

That they are afforded the existence so many of us take for granted, a life free from physical or sexual assault, a life free from psychological abuse, or financial exploitation.  But for thousands and thousands of older people this is not the case, trapped in an existence of fear, shame and misery.

Conference, the commendable Elder abuse campaign run by our retired members, comes at a time when services for older people are under assault.Day centre closure after closure, cuts to community’s services relied upon by older people, cuts to care services, and cuts to terms and conditions of care workers. Whilst the population continues to age and need for services increases. 

It is now more pressing than ever that this issue needs to be highlighted, a concerted fight to eradicate the abuse of older people, and restore dignity to the lives some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

This motion commits us to take a firm policy viewpoint on changing the law to ensure there is specific legislation to protect older people from abuse. As well as more broadly campaigning and highlighting the issues.

Conference, please support this motion.

(sign the UNISON e-government petition on Elder abuse here)

UNISON NDC 2012

I took this picture this morning on route to the UNISON National Delegate Conference in Bournemouth. This is my first conference as a member of UNISON’s National Executive Committee. So it feels very strange to be on the “platform” and not part of the branch or regional delegation.  

At 8.30am we had a brief NEC meeting on conference housekeeping. Then I went to meet my branch (Housing Association) delegation before the conference started at 10am.

The President, NHS theatre nurse, Eleanor Smith opened conference. First was the usual formal reports and Financial Statement. Followed by motions. The first was an excellent debate on Health and Safety. 

There is a live blog at the UNISON website here and even a Live Stream. Twitter hash tag #undc12

I’ll try and post on key debates and fringes as and when.