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. 

UNISON GLR LGBT+ Reception marking World Aids Day

Last Tuesday evening I was invited by the UNISON Greater London Regional LGBT+ Committee to their annual reception in Parliament. This was sponsored by GLR Labour Link and hosted by new Labour MP, Deirdre Costigan (former UNISON National Officer). 

The theme was was to mark World Aids Day with the launch of the new UNISON Model-policy-to-support-workers-living-with-HIV.pdf to tackle HIV stigma at work, with speeches from the National Aids and Terrance Higgins Trust.

Labour Party Conference 2024: Saturday

Back home after 5 days away at Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. This year I went as a Labour Councillor (self funded apart from the conference fee which is paid out of our ALC subs). Which meant that unlike delegates I could go and see the debates, speeches and fringes that interested me. Mostly about pensions and housing. I did not miss the early morning pre conference delegation meetings either. 

I travelled down with my UNISON and work colleague, Joseph Ogundemuren who is also a Labour Councillor in Hackney but he was part of the UNISON delegation. We travelled by train to Liverpool on the Saturday, to go to the London Labour reception that evening. At the station I passed the statue, once again, of "Battling Bessie Braddock". 

The London Reception was in a huge room in the ACC centre, Albert Docks. The PA was pretty awful but it was well chaired by Dawn Butler MP and I enjoyed the speeches by Prime Minister Keir Starmer (I am still in some way shocked that Labour is in power), London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and others (many others!).  Keir (A London MP of course) seemed in a particularly good mood and was clearly excited and pleased to be there. 

It was good to meet and chat (aka gossip) with various London Labour Party members, some of which I have known for many years but usually only meet at Conference. 

Saturday had also been Labour Women's Conference which apparently went well. The official Labour conference opened 11am Sunday. I will try and post on my personal Conference experience during the next few days. 

UNISON National Delegate Conference 2024: Day 1 Tuesday

 

I am at UNISON National Delegate Conference (NDC) as a NEC member for Community (Housing Associations and Voluntary sector). NDC is the "Parliament" of UNISON and decides upon policies, finance and rules for the forthcoming year. 

In the morning I was up at 7am for a run (aka as a slow jog) around the beach for 2.5 miles enjoying the sea breeze and getting ready for the day ahead. Most of which will be spend on the NEC platform listerning to debates, reports and speeches inside the huge Conference hall.

My first meeting was with the other members of the NEC at our hotel at 8.30am where we discussed conference business and standing orders reports etc. Conference itself started at 10am

We began conference with a welcome by our lay President, Libby Noland, introductions to our guests and international visitors then we remembered UNISON staff and activists who had died in the previous year. This is always a moving moment. 

Next we had our Standing Orders Committee (SOC) report which outline the programme for the week and which motions had been accepted as "competent" (able to be debated at conference) "composited" (similar motions merged) and "consequences" (if a motion is passed it may result in other motions becoming out of date or invalid). 

The job of being Chair of SOC and reporting to Conference its decisions is a rather thankless task. Nearly all decisions taken by the 15 democratically elected members of SOC are routinely "referenced back" to the SOC (they are asked to reconsider their decisions). While this is an important rule book right of delegates, I feel that some abuse this right to "grandstand" and make speeches. It also wastes a lot of time at conference that could be better spent debating motions. 

We then went on to discuss the UNISON annual report, our Financial statements and receive the President's speech (which also included the presentation of the Eric Roberts Award to an inspiring young member).  

During lunch I attended the Greater London Regional new delegates event with my fellow London Council officers. I clearly remember how completely unfathomable and confusing my first ever UNISON conference was would have welcomed the chance to chat to more experienced conference colleagues about such things as "points of order", "card vote" and the "snake". 

There was a number of important motions debated on Climate change, Exploitation of migrant workers and the year of LGBT+. I thought it was very good that speakers were explaining their preferred pronouns, when introducing themselves at the beginning of their speeches. 

After conference there was a useful fringe on the "Political fund" ballot which must take place very soon. All members will be balloted on whether or not UNISON should have "political" funds. Every 10 years all trade unions have to undertake this. It will cost over a million pounds for this to take place. Note that shareholders are not individually balloted by post when companies decide to make political denotations to the Conservative Party. I hope that a future Labour Government will get rid of this requirement. 

Labour Unions shout out for New Deal after telecanvass

This evening I joined trade union colleagues to take part in a telephone canvass session supporting union activists standing for Labour as MPs across the UK. I rang residents of Harrow East where UNISON Member @PrimeshPatel is standing while others rang for Katrina Murray who is standing for Scottish Labour in the Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch Constituency. Other candidates were also being supported.

It was an interesting canvass with lots of phone numbers out of service since so many landlines have now been discontinued by people in favour of their mobiles, however, I had 14 contacts, which was not bad for 2 hours, the vast majority for Labour, even those who had previously voted Conservative. 

In general, residents were hugely dissatisfied with the government, who had been in power for the last 14 years and are not delivering a decent NHS, dealing effectively with crime or the cost of living crisis.  

They believe it is our turn to govern and they are willing to give Labour a chance to deliver for them. 

Let wait and see. Fingers crossed. 

Who wins, You Decide - UNISON SGE elections start Monday 22/4/24

Next week most UNISON members will be sent ballot papers for our Service Group Executive (SGE) elections.  Not all, since some seats were uncontested. 

Now, UNISON is the largest union in the UK, with around 1.3 million members in thousands of different public service employers, so our democratic processes are going to be just a little complex. 

But at the risk of oversimplifying things, I will describe the Service Group Elections (SGE) starting next week, as all about UNISON members being given the opportunity to decide, who do they want running their part of UNISON? 

Who do they want negotiating over pay, pensions, health and safety, equalities and other vital terms and conditions? Who do they want to lead their bit of UNISON? 

Grass roots activists who are fighters but also experienced, principled and pragmatic. Who are not dependent on the support of far left extremists. Who will put the interests of ordinary UNISON members, first and foremost.

I will be supporting candidates who are not members of the far left "tfrc" faction, who are supported by the extremist Socialist Workers Party and the like, who will be no doubt interfering yet again in our elections, while hiding their affiliations. 

But regardless about who you support, please take part in these important elections and encourage your work mates and family to do so as well. I will be posting more on this. 

In meanwhile congratulations to my branch comrades Lola Oyewusi and Joseph Ogundemuren for being elected unopposed as the London reps for the Community SGE. 

Greater London UNISON Celebration : Year of the Black Worker

This evening I was pleased to have been invited to this celebration in the UNISON Centre in Euston. Our General Secretary, Christina McAnea, spoke and took part in Q&A as did our London Regional Secretary, Jo Galloway. 

There was another great panel with the leader of Islington Council, Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz and UNISON Eastern Regional Secretary, Tim Roberts. At the end there was a reception with keynote speaker, London Assembly member, Sem Moema. 

Afterwards, myself and Labour Link colleague, Joseph Ogundemuren, left for another Labour movement event with London Mayor, Sadiq Khan in Richmond. Further post to follow. 

Black Poppy Rose

This evening after our UNISON branch Executive meeting our Chair, Joseph showed me a badge he had obtained from this site. 

"In Remembrance of the African, Black Peoples, West Indian, Caribbean, Pacific Islands & Indigenous Communities contributions to Global Wars that have paved the way for the ‘Cultures’ we know and understand today".

A terrific website  https://www.blackpoppyrose.org/. Well worth a visit. Lots of events on in coming weeks. 

The EastEnders Effect. Episode 28: Representation in the East End

It is a bit long but a fascinating interview by my (he lives in my ward that I serve as a Councillor and is also a UNISON member) constituent, Ade Adeyemi, of my UNISON comrade, Joseph Ogundemuren. Joseph  speaks from the heart about growing up as a working class black male in an East London Council estate from immigrant parents. His experiences as a mega UNISON activist and rep, as a homeless charity trustee in Newham and also a Labour Party Councillor in next door Hackney wick. 

Joseph makes it clear that he would like to be a MP and that there is likely to be a selection process soon for the new West Ham and Beckton seat.... Watch this space. 

"On the knocker" in West Ham (with a little bit of help from UNISON/Hackney)

This morning I had my councillor surgery in Vicarage Lane Community centre in West Ham ward, Newham. One constituent who came, lived close to the centre, with a list of repair issues. I was able to go with her, back to her home in order to identify repairs needed to a damaged canopy over her front door. (top left) 

Later I joined my West Ham ward Councillor colleagues, John Whitworth and Charlene Mclean, for a "street surgery" in the Portway, E15. This includes knocking on doors, introducing ourselves and asking residents if they have any issues concerning Newham Council services that they wish to discuss with us. Most residents say they haven't any issues but we leave a leaflet with our contact details and that of the Newham Mayor Roksana, Lyn our MP and Unmesh, our London Assembly member. We also try to carry out a quick survey on what are their keys issues in the ward and their voting intention in future elections. 

I was pleased that my UNISON comrade, Joseph Ogundemuren, came to help. Joseph is a  Labour Councillor in Hackney and a fantastic trade unionist campaigner and case worker, currently supporting our members with their fight with our employer, Clarion Housing Group, over pay cuts and to stop their attempts to break pensions promises made to staff via "fire & rehire".  This was the third campaign session in Newham that he had attended today. The other two were in Canning Town and Custom House. 

The family walking their pink and white poodle were really pleased when I asked if I could take its photo. 

During the canvass I was able to get into the former Park Hotel which has now been converted into flats. See "now and then" pictures to right of collage. I think the bottom picture is from Victorian times but will try and find out more. There is a current problem with domestic rubbish and recycling collection which I will sort out with the Council. 

On the last door that I called at, by coincidence, the family had come to see me at a previous surgery regarding a dreadful rehousing issue, which I am trying to help them with. It reminded me that we must change UK housing policy and that change demands a change in Government. 

Afterwards, Joseph and I went for a "refreshment" in the marvellous Sawmill cafe, E15  (owned and staffed by Ukrainians) and we were later joined by John Whitworth and the Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz. 

UNISON National Delegate Conference 2023: Tuesday - Day 1

 

This morning I went for a early morning run (aka slow jog) west of the Mersey then was in the Conference centre for the first day of National Delegate Conference, as one of the two London regional delegates with Yvonne Green.

There was a bit of confusion with where our delegates had to sit since one row of seats had been double booked with East Midland region so we had to move everyone back one row which caused some confusion and upset but was taken in general in good grace. These things happen. 

We had the informal Greater London lunch for new and/or lone delegates which I thought went really well. UNISON conferences are a bit weird for new activists (and to be honest - old and new!) so this is a great opportunity to chat with new/sole members about conference. 

I had a dreadful waste of time trying to get my printer to work with my phone to enable delegates to print their speeches. Hopefully this will be sorted due to my HAB delegate colleague (and IT expert) Joseph Ogundemuren.

After close of conference I went to chemist for Covid  test kit since felt pretty rough but it was negative, so just an early case of the normal "Conference flu" I think.  Spent the evening writing my speech for composite D on industrial action ballots. 

UNISON Greater London Housing Associations Branch e-newsletter: Feb 2023

 

Welcome to the Branch Newsletter! 

Last Monday, we all heard the horrible news about the powerful earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria early in the morning. A week later there are still many people trapped under debris, and the ones who managed to escape from the buildings were left homeless and without any shelter or support in severe weather conditions. If you wish to help, please donate money to the Emergency Earthquake Fund. You can do that by visiting the website: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/turkey-emergency-earthquake-fund 

Barbara Zagrodniczek Branch Communications Officer 

Opportunity to represent the Branch at UNISON 2023 National Delegate Conference Date: Friday, 13th June 2023 – Sunday, 16th June 2023 Location: Liverpool 

In the last issue of the Newsletter we announced that we are looking for members who wish to represent the Branch at the National Delegate Conference. Due to an error in the provided email address, we would like to extend the deadline to 3:00pm on Friday, 24th February 2023. If you would like to attend, please send your details along with a supporting statement (max. 100 words) to AGM.Admin@unisonhablondon.org 

For those who already submitted the statement, we kindly ask you to re-send it to the above email address. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. Travel, accommodation, and meals will be paid for by the Branch in line with our expenses policy. We look forward to your responses. 

Upcoming Events UNISON LGBT+ London Region to celebrate LGBT+ History Month (In person) Thu, 16th February at 6:30pm-9:00pm at Queer Britain Museum, 2 Granary Square, London, N1C 4BH 

The Regional LGBT+ Committee would like to invite you to celebrate LGBT+ History Month at the UK’s first ever dedicated LGBT+ museum. The regional UNISON LGBT+ committee will be holding its first LGBT+ History Month in person since 2020. We are really excited for this event which is open to all members. Karl Lewis, the LGBT+ Officer will be in attendance. Please get in touch if you want to find out more. 

Sign up for the event here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unison-london-lgbt-history-month-receptionat-queer-britain-tickets-531844419977 

Branch’s AGM (Hybrid meeting) Wednesday, 8th March 2023 at 6:00pm-8:00pm (in person and virtual) 

Details will be circulated separately by email. 

Women’s Training and Networking Event (In person event) Friday, 10th March 2023 at 10:00am-4:30pm at UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London, NW1 2AY 

It is an annual women’s training and networking event hosted by the Regional Women’s Committee. The event is aimed at all elected branch officers who are women, and branch women’s contacts. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is essential. The deadline to submit registration forms is 24th February 2023. If you are interested in attending, please get in touch with Barbara Zagrodniczek, Branch Communications Officer at AGM.Admin@unisonhablondon.org 

International Workers Memorial Day (In person event) Friday, 28th April 2023, Bow, East London 

Please save the date in your calendars. More details will follow soon. 

Branch Officers’ Reports (February 2023) 

Chris Milson – Branch Secretary 

Working people are continuing to stand-up all-over Britain, fighting for better pay and conditions, catalysed by the current cost of living crisis and a Westminster government that is proving deaf to their concerns. In UNISON, public service workers in local government, education, health, and other sectors either have been striking, or have strike dates booked in the coming weeks. 

The UNISON Housing Associations Branch stands in solidarity with all union members that take the difficult decision to go on strike for better pay and conditions. 

Your Branch Needs You The UNISON Housing Association Branch’s AGM is next month. We’ve had an eventful year and all officers of the Branch Executive will be talking about what they’ve done in their elected roles this year for the Branch and its members. If you can, please come along and hear about what we’ve been doing, and what our goals are for the coming year. 

You can also stand for election to join the committee – look out for the online nomination form we’ll be sending out shortly. If you care about your Branch, and believe that you, or another member you know, has something to offer in helping to run it – do please consider nominating them or yourself for an Executive Officer position. 

Barbara Zagrodniczek – Branch Communication Officer 

In October 2022 I edited and circulated the first issue of the Branch Newsletter. Five months later I am proud to see that more and more of our members are taking part in the surveys and are putting themselves forward to represent the Branch at different forums. 

I hope we will be continue sharing similar opportunities with you in the future. I continue to work on improving Branch communications. This is why I am pleased to announce that our Branch is now ready to start publishing the Newsletter on the Branch website. I hope that this will make it more accessible to those who do not always have access to their emails. 

Further to that, we are planning to update content on the Branch website. 

Conference and Meeting Reports Greater London Regional Council AGM – 

Report For those of you who may not be aware, the Regional Council is the senior membership body which oversees the work of the Greater London region representing and supporting members, and it is being elected by all Greater London branches. The Annual General Meeting took place on Wednesday, 8 th February 2023 at Holiday Inn in Bloomsbury. Our Branch was represented by John Gray, Joseph Ogundemuren and myself. 

The meeting opened with passionate speeches given by Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, MP and Shadow Minister (Mental Health) and Sara Gorton, UNISON Head of Health. Both speakers focused on the importance of changes in the UK health system and solidarity with the Ambulance Service. 

After that, similarly to the Branch AGM, the meeting followed a standard agenda – minutes from the last AGM, matters arising, reports and motions. 

Our Branch submitted two motions. The first one, ‘Cost of Living’, was submitted for consideration as a regional motion to the 2023 National Delegate Conference. At the AGM it was presented by John Gray and received a positive response. 

The second one, ‘Year of the Black Worker’, was written in collaboration with the Croydon Local Government Branch and put forward by Joseph Ogundemuren. 

Barbara Zagrodniczek

(This communication has been written by a dyslexic person. If you have any trouble with the meaning of any of the sentences or words, please do not be afraid to ask for clarification)

UNISON Greater London Regional Council AGM 2023: Re-elected as RCO for 16th time (?) in a row

This morning was our Regional Council AGM and I was pleased to have been re-elected (unopposed) as Regional Finance Convenor alongside my comrades, Yvonne Green, as Regional Convenor and Conroy Lawrence, as Deputy Convenor. We were joined on the Regional Council team (the lay Executive for the 130,000 members in Greater London) by newly elected Equalities Convenor, Annette Heslop. See picture of us with Regional Secretary Jo Galloway on top left of collage. The Publicity Officer election is being rerun due to an admin error.

Our keynote guest speakers were Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP, who is the Labour Shadow minister on Mental Health as well as a real life hospital doctor (see photo left of collage with Rosena, me and NHS activist Jim Mansfield who was also re-elected as our rep on Conference Standing Orders Committee) and our superb UNISON Head of Health, Sara Gorton. 

I gave the regional finance budget report to the AGM, which was adopted and I thanked members for their trust and confidence in re-electing me again as well as Yvonne and Conroy. 

After reports, we began debating motions. I spoke first moving my branch (GLR Housing Associations) "Cost of Living motion" which no one spoke against but saw some "fantasy" Life of Brian speeches, attacking the Labour Party, rather than the Tories, over the Cost of Living Crisis! 

Anu Prashar spoke passionately and eloquently on the (dreadful) LGBT+ experience during this crisis. 

There was some brilliant contributions during the debate on the "Industrial Action" motion moved by Kensington & Chelsea Local Government Branch. In particular Sonya Howard (K&C Chair) and Eddie Brand, Branch Secretary of the London Ambulance Service, who were the only branch to successfully win a strike ballot in the current NHS dispute and have delivered 4 days of strike action with next one on this Friday.  Hospital worker, Abiola Kusoro, told us how her branch lost out on strike action by only 1% shortfall in the vote and how they hope and expect to win the pending rerun ballot. 

Our former HAB activist (and my fellow West Ham Labour activist) Mitsy Harmon-Russell, now a NHS care worker moved the motion in support of our UNISON Charity "There for You". 

My other branch motion (composited with Croydon motion) on "Year of the Black Worker" was moved by our Branch Chair, Joseph Ogundemuren who got us all clapping and chanting combining humour with serious messages. 

Afterwards I had to rush off to my nearby housing office, to catch up with the ever urgent ASB work and union issues, then in the evening to go to my branch executive meeting.  

London Labour Conference 23 - Day 2

From my twitter feed as UNISON Labour Link Delegate lead.

John Gray @grayee Start of day 2 of @LondonLabour conference. 9.10am start with opening remarks by Chair Maggi Ferncombe @unisontheunion

John Gray @grayee Proud to have proposed to @LondonLabour conference our motion on the Cost of Living Crisis. On behalf of @unisontheunion #LabourLink the political wing of the largest & best union in London

Rishi Patel @rishi175 ‘The worst day under a Labour government is never as bad as the best day under a Tory one’ great to hear from @grayee @unisonglr at day 2 of London Labour Conference 

Well said Carleene in support of UNISON motion Carleene Lee-Phakoe @cleephakoe "I spoke at #LonLab23, in support of the Cost of Living Motion. The Tory Cost of living crisis has hit the poorest the hardest. Today we said “enough is enough” @GMBLondonRegion are proud to stand in solidarity with those who have been hit hardest by this failing Tory Govt! 

Lloyd Duddridge @DuddridgeLloyd Great to see Ilford North legend Stephen representing
@UsdawUnion on the @LondonLabour conference stage on how we need framework on workers rights that faces the future.

Adam Hug @AdamHug Delighted that @wminsterlabour won the campaign of the year at the
@LondonLabour Merit Awards. Couldn’t have done it without our amazing cllrs, candidates, organisers @dgoodwinhotline @RosaElson1 and agents Andy Whitley @MargaretLynch06 Connor Jones and Jacqueline Bore

John Gray @grayee My @UnisonHAB colleague @JoeOgundemuren as his CLP delegate seconds
@UsdawUnion motion on automation @LondonLabour. Love his getting everyone on his feet for unions!

Anu did a great job as Chair. Thank you Deirdre Costigan @deirdrecostigan Proud of Anu Prashar from @unisontheunion who chaired this morning's debate at @LondonLabour conference. @anuox #LonLab23

Final speaker at @LondonLabour conference future @LabourParty SoS @wesstreeting "the Tories will not be able to fix the NHS that they broke" "Compare last 13 years of Tories with last 13 years of Labour Government" "over my dead body will we charge you to see your doctor" @unisontheunion #LabourLink

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 Executive Xmas Polish Dinner

After a few very busy days at the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) Conference in Bournemouth (which I will post further on) I came back to London to meet up with colleagues from my UNISON branch executive for a my first ever Polish meal at https://mamuska.net/ in Waterloo. 

Most of us had the traditional polish set meal for 2 which was very good value, tasty and filling (definitely not keto). Despite one of the tables collapsing during the meal, it was an very enjoyable experience and many thanks to our branch secretary Chris (sitting next to me) and our Chair Joseph (sitting next to Chris) and the wider executive for all their hard work during the past 12 months. 

 

Clarion UNISON AGM 2022 - Re-elected as National Convenor

I was really pleased to be re-elected (unopposed) this evening as the UNISON National Convenor at our AGM which was held in person at our London Bridge HQ and virtually on msn teams. Our most active steward, Joseph Ogundemuren, was also elected to the new position of Deputy Convenor and elections of UNISON reps to Staff Council were affirmed. 

Many thanks to National Secretary for UNISON Community Service Group (Housing Associations and Charities), Gavin Edwards, for being our guest speaker and letting us know about "the state we're in" regarding Housing Associations and most importantly, his advice on the forthcoming pay negotiations, amidst the cost of living crisis. There was a lively debate during the Q&A. 

We will be holding consultation meetings for all staff on the pay rise claim in Clarion and regular surgeries.

While attendance at the AGM was not great considering the size of our membership, we had members from Manchester, Birmingham, Greater London, Norfolk and Kent participating. 

There was lots and lots of fantastic ideas and suggestions about building the union and making it even more relevant to members. So watch this space. In our sector we definitely live in interesting times...

Why join UNISON

 

(hat tip our number one recruiter Joseph and his standard email to potential members)

"Hi Fellow Worker

Further to our discussion, you can join UNISON online via the link below:

https://join.unison.org.uk/

Signing up is very straight forward.

Once you’re a member feel free to seek any work related advice you may need from me or John Gray who is the Clarion UNISON Convenor. I have copied him in for reference.

Please note you will not be able to get any legal representation (cases requiring referral to the Trade Union branch or being lodged at Employment Tribunal) regarding any work related issues that occurred prior to you being a member.

It is after being a member for four weeks and any work related issues arising after this period, that you would be able to get legal representation.

During the four weeks you can only get email and telephone advice about work related issues.

 

7 reasons to join UNISON

 Each of our 1.4 million members has their own reasons for joining UNISON.

 But every one receives our help and support.

Legal Help – For you at work and your family at home

2.    Financial Assistance – And debt advice in times of need

3.    Compensation – For you and your family

4.    Discounts – Including money off cars and holidays

5.    Helpline –  Our helpline is open until midnight weekdays, and 4pm on Saturdays, closed on Sundays

6.    Training – To help develop your career

7.    Support – We’ll be with you when you need it most

Greater London UNISON Housing Associations Branch AGM 2022

This evening was our branch AGM held in central London. It was a hybrid, in person and zoom quorate meeting.  I was pleased to have been re-elected (unopposed) as the branch Labour Link officer. 

Our excellent guest speaker was David Lammy MP,  Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (who has been a consistent supporter of UNISON). As you would expect David slammed the Russians over their invasion in Ukraine. 

We passed motions calling for a review of pension provision in our sector (proposed by me)  and "No to Sexist Bulling" which recent events shows it is a real problem in our union. 

Afterwards, a few of us who attended the in person meeting when for a celebration beer (or three) and in centre picture is our new branch Chair, Joseph (centre photo on left) who is also standing in May as a Labour Councillor candidate in Hackney. 

Croydon Council Governance Referendum 2021

Just back from an evening campaigning with Labour colleagues in Croydon on their Mayoral Referendum. 

Voters are being given a choice of staying with the traditional Council Leader and Cabinet Model or an Executive Mayor system. 

While I strongly prefer the Committee model (not on the ballot paper). I was pleased to support Labour colleagues in Croydon, who are opposed to the Mayoral model which is being driven locally by opportunist Tories. 

The count is taken place now and a result expected soon. It is going to be really difficult contest for Labour following the financial difficulties the Council is in at the moment. 

Also, some proponents of the Mayoral System are claiming (wrongly) that a Executive Mayor can veto planning applications. Which is a sensitive political issue in the suburbs. 

We had a very good reception but many people were unaware of the election and found it very confusing. I suspect the turnout will be very small. Which is a pity. 

I went with Joseph my UNISON branch secretary (and Labour Link activist) and we firstly went out with Martin Whelton, Cabinet lead for Housing in Merton Council. Later local Councillors and members from Stratham (hello Louie) and Tower Hamlets (hello Cllr David Edgar) joined us. 

It was good to be out campaigning with Labour colleagues out of your local comfort zone. 

But note to myself - Remember to bring a torch if you go out door knocking in dark evenings!

UPDATE: Alas, the Mayoral model won https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-58840176. Hope in 10 years time (earliest that the matter can be rerun) there will be a Committee model choice.