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.

"UNISON votes to renew political fund"

 

Good result. 97% of UNISON members (who took part in the ballot) voted in favour of us retaining our Labour Link and Campaign fund. Trade unions funding is definitely the "Cleanest money in Politics".

Turn out was not great  (14%) but similar to other internal national elections and to many people, it is a no-brainer that unions should have campaigning political funds. 

Soon we should get major change in the way we run union elections since the Labour Government has committed to allowing us to bring our elections process up-to-date with modern electronic and workplace voting. This should increase participation and turnout. 

Hat tip UNISON votes to renew political fund | Article, News | News | UNISON National

"UNISON members in England, Scotland and Wales have voted overwhelmingly to retain the union’s political fund, which enables UNISON to take part in political activity.

Of the 187,598 members who participated, 96.7% voted to keep the political fund.

UNISON’s political fund has two sections: Labour Link and the campaign fund.

Labour Link takes the union’s campaign objectives into the Labour party and supports members to become MPs and councillors.

The campaign fund provides all the resources for our pro-public service campaigns, our equalities campaigns and the work that we do to combat the far right. Members choose which part of the fund to support – and can also pay into both.

UNISON is required to hold a ballot every ten years under anti-trade union legislation first introduced by the Thatcher government in 1984, which was designed to silence the campaigning voice of working people and defund the Labour party.

The 2024 ballot was open for one month, between 15 July and 16 August 2024.

In response to the results, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “The ballot result is an overwhelming vote in favour of keeping our members’ campaign voice and I want to thank everyone who took part.

“The reason so many members voted to keep the fund is because they see the difference it makes.

“Be it securing Labour commitments to the New Deal for Working People through our Labour Link or supporting UNISON’s work with Hope not Hate and Show Racism the Red Card through our campaign fund, both funds have never been more important. I am proud that our members value this part of our work so highly.”

Vote to Save our UNISON Political funds

 

 

Last day for postal ballot papers to arrive at scrutineers is this Friday 16 August at 5pm. 

So really need to post today! Find the ballot paper and freepost envelope then vote & post to secure 

our 

political campaign and influencing future. 

Check out the wider arguments 

Political fund ballot – saving UNISON’s campaign voice | Article, News | News | UNISON National

Hat tip @UnisonGateshead

UNISON Labour Link Officer report: GLR Housing Associations branch AGM 2024

Tomorrow is my UNISON branch AGM and I have submitted (late) my written report below as the branch Labour Link officer. I will also make a verbal report at the AGM and take any questions. 

""Labour Link" is part of UNISON and it is a political fund that supports the Labour Party which all members can choose to support. It also campaigns and lobbies the Labour Party to adopt UNISON policies. Trade unions helped form the Labour Party and we are all part of a wider "Labour movement family". 

 There are around 1000 members of our branch who are members of the UNISON Labour Link and many are also members of the Labour Party. Our branch Labour Link members are delegates to local Labour Parties, they campaign on behalf of the Party and attend conferences and other events. Labour Link also holds training sessions for members interested in becoming Councillors or even MPs.

In the last year, we have organised Labour Link members to go and support Labour Party candidates in the recent successful Parliamentary by elections. We have also started campaigning for the Labour Party in the forthcoming General and London Mayoral elections. 

In particular we are explaining to members and voters about the importance of the Labour Party's "New Deal for Working People", which if they are elected will result in employment rights against unfair dismissal from day one, a real "living wage" for all and introduction of fair pay agreements, the banning of zero hour contacts and of fire & rehire (and many, many other worker friendly policies).

The next major elections will be on 2 May 2024. UNISON member Sadiq Khan is restanding as London Mayor, while many other UNISON members are candidates in London Assembly seats and in council elections outside London. Please contact me if you wish to join our Labour Link campaign teams (either in person, talking to voters, leafleting or telephone phone banks).

It is very important that Labour has a good result on May 2 since this could even result in the Conservatives calling a general election sooner rather than later and we can start to rebuild our nation with progressive policies such as "New Deal".

John Gray
Branch Labour Link Officer

(Picture of Labour Deputy Leader (and former UNISON activist) Angela Rayner MP speaking about "New Deal" at recent Community conference attended by branch delegates).

Thank you from UNISON & Good Luck to Jamie Dickinson in the Labour Party!

 

There was a lovely informal "leaving do" this evening in the Unison centre for our former UNISON activist and national officer, Jamie Dickinson (front centre) . Jamie supported our International and Labour Link Committees. He is leaving UNISON to join the Labour Party. 

I have known Jamie since he was a young activist in UNISON and lately, as a member of UNISON National Labour Link Committee, I  have appreciated his officer support to us and also his enormous everyday cheerfulness and enthusiasm. 

UNISON's loss is the Labour Party's gain. 

I have no doubt he will be doing more than his bit as a Labour staffer to win the next general election. 

It was great to see our former General Secretary, Dave Prentis here to thank and wish Jamie farewell. 

Ealing Labour x Swindon Labour Party Fundraiser 2024

On Sunday I went with UNISON Labour Link colleagues to a fundraising dinner in Ealing. It was packed and extremely well organised. The food and service was also excellent. It was great to meet and catch up with Labour and union friends. After speeches there was the inevitable Labour auction and raffle! 

Good luck to the many Labour candidates there who are standing for the GLA or winnable Parliament seats. 

Fund raiser for Labour GLA Candidate Marcela Benedetti with keynote speaker Sadiq Khan

On Thursday evening (after another Labour Movement event) I went with UNISON Labour Link colleagues, to a fundraiser for the branch chair of our London Voluntary Organisations branch (Vol Orgs), Marcela Benedetti.   

Marcela is the Labour Candidate for the  South West London (Kingston, Richmond & Hounslow) seat in the Greater London Assembly Elections in May. The keynote speaker was of course, London Mayor Sadiq Khan aided by Kevin McGuire. 

I have known Marcela for a number of years and she is a brilliant UNISON activist and able chair of one of the largest union branches in London. Under her chairship, Vol Org has been one of the fastest growing and best organised UNISON branches in the Country.  I am sure she will make a great London Assembly member.

I was also pleased to see that the Richmond venue was the home of the London Welsh Rugby club. 

Joel Bodmer for Croydon East

Today Joel launched his campaign to become the Labour Party Candidate for Croydon East. He is secretary to the Greater London UNISON Labour Link committee, which I chair but I have known him since he joined my UNISON branch as a Mental Health Support worker and became our young members officer. He eventually became our branch Chair before leaving to become a full time union officer organising NHS hospital and other public service workers for the last 15 years.  

The members of Croydon East will decide who will be their candidate and there are many good ones but I do endorse Joel, who I believe will make an excellent MP and UNISON Labour Link has nominated him. 

Good luck Joel! 

Check out and share 

https://twitter.com/JoelBodmer/status/1716395295964377199

https://www.facebook.com/100083036688611/videos/305656165555633/

https://joelbodmer.com/ 

Labour Party Conference 2023 - Monday

Day 3 of conference for me started with another morning run along the Mersey and back (3.4 miles different direction from yesterday).I met on route an influential Council leader who berated me for running so late in the day. He had gone for his run that day at 4am! 

I had to do some union casework stuff in the morning then started the day with meeting a former Newham Councillor ,who now works for a campaign group and one of their researchers. It was really interesting environmental subject matter, which by coincidence, was linked to my LAPFF fringe from yesterday. I really hope we can can work together on this issue and others. 

Next I went to a social housing fringe on supporting strong communities sponsored by Guinness Partnership (not the brewery!).  Some good ideas and provocative speakers but nothing from actual tenants or housing trade unions. 

I left early to go to a 121 London UNISON Labour Link meet but stopped off at the Friends of Israel fringe venue, which was packed with delegates discussing the dreadful war and massacres that has erupted. Many of the Israeli political speakers who were due to speak at conference have cancelled since they have been called up as reservists to fight.  I asked about an old school friend of mine, who had emigrated to Israel and had served in the Army, whether he would be called up at age 60 and was told he probably would be but not for a front line position. 

Afterwards I went to one of the very few pension fringes at conference this year about "Pension saving under a Labour Government". A really important issue and it is astonishingly how little is known about what Labour will do if in power on pensions (if we win, obviously fingers and toes crossed).  I asked a question on possible Collective Defined Contribution schemes being a possible way forward in my Housing associations and Charities sector which got a maybe but positive response.

I went back to my flat to do some more case work and then went to the Labour Housing Group fringe which was really packed. Interesting that so many people "in suits" attended compared to previous conference LHG fringes in recent years. I am sure that this has nothing to do with the perceived likelihood of Labour winning the next general election (again fingers and toes crossed). 

Afterwards I discovered I had triple overbooked myself and could not attend my favourite conference fringe, the Labour Irish, but went for an arranged meal with Newham comrades at a great turkish restaurant in Bold Street. 1.5 days to go. 

Elect Anu Prashar - the members choice for UNISON Labour Link London election

Great endorsement by Eddie of Anu. Electronic ballot papers arrived by email last week and so did hard copies by Royal Mail to your home address. 

Please vote by either method (not of course in both) for Anu and the candidates below outside London (my personal recommendations). 

UNISON Greater London Housing Associations Labour Link support Anu Prashar (& update on our AGM)

 Dear UNISON Labour Link members,

Re: National Labour Link elections

Our branch has nominated Anu Prashar for National Labour Link Committee.

 

• Anu cut her teeth as a steward before getting involved in the SOGs and the Labour Party. Anu is not a member of any faction and sits squarely under the Trade Union banner.
• Anu fights discrimination and LGBT+ hate. She believes the Party and Labour Link should be inclusive of all members. 
• Anu will push the Party to stand up for working people, repeal the Trade Union Act, scrap Universal Credit and reverse Tory public services cuts.
• Anu will ensure you get regular reports and radically improve communication with members. 

You can vote online, or by ballot papers sent to your home address (but vote only once, of course).

Re: our branch Labour Link AGM

We have approached the New Shadow Prime Minister and Shadow Secretary of State Angela Rayner to be our guest speaker (agreed in principle but need to sort out a date) at our AGM in the House of Commons - hopefully in November. Further details to follow.

Regards,

John Gray
Branch Labour Link Officer

For a Strong & Effective UNISON Labour Link please support...

Electronic ballot papers arrived to me via email on Monday and paper ballot papers today. Please support these candidates in your regions if you are a member of UNISON and its Labour Link (use to be called APF) Political fund. Obviously you can only vote once. 

If you support the Labour Party and don't know if you are in the UNISON Labour Link check https://www.unison.org.uk/my-unison/ and join. 

Branches requested to nominate ANU PRASHAR to be London Rep on UNISON National Labour Link Committee

 

UNISON National Labour Link Forum 2023 6.7.23

Yesterday evening delegates to UNISON National Labour Link Forum (the UNISON political fund that is affiliated to the Labour Party) gathered in Newcastle. After a meeting of our Greater London delegation to decide on who to speak on motions, there was a reception with our General Secretary, Christina McAnea. This was a special time for UNISON following our recent 30th Birthday celebrations and also the 75th anniversary of the NHS. 

Afterwards, London delegates went for a meal in nearby restaurant followed by some drinks back at the hotel. Forum started at 9.15am the next morning. 

Out and about for Labour in Uxbridge & South Ruislip - Danny Beales

 

Today I joined UNISON and Labour union colleagues to canvass for Labour in the Uxbridge & South Ruislip by election. A certain Boris Johnson has stood down as the MP for the area (for reasons everyone is aware). 

The Labour candidate, Danny Beales, is a UNISON member (and was nominated as a PPC by UNISON Greater London Labour Link). 

It was very hot (31C) and one member fainted as we were given a briefing outside Uxbridge station but there was a moderate breeze. I was able to meet Danny briefly for the first time - face to face. 

In my canvass team, we went to St Andrews Park which is a new development built on the site of a former RAF Battle of Britain airfield. My very first doorknock did not go "well" due to concerns about ULEZ (emissions charge) but after that, the results for Labour were pretty good but many residents were out.

My response on ULEZ is always based on remarks by a UNISON colleague who is a London Ambulance Service Paramedic. He lives in the countryside outside the London where emergency child admissions into hospital for asthma and other breathing difficulties are rare but at work in central London it is incredibly common. 

After the canvass some of us retreated to the Three Tuns Pub to share campaign stories, gossip and put the world to rights. 

UNISON NDC 23 - Labour Link Fringe with Angela Rayner MP & Christina McAnea

 There was a great fringe yesterday evening by UNISON Labour Link with former activist Angela Rayner turned MP and our General Secretary Christina McAnea (chaired by National Labour Link lead, Linda Hobson). 

Angela was on form with a confident, at times funny but completely persuasive political message of hope and then Q & A that if Labour wins power in the next General election (not a given) that it will transform our country and its people for the better. 

UNISON National Delegate Conference 2023: Monday

I arrived yesterday to attend the National briefing for all Regional delegates by the General Secretary. Afterwards I went for a meal with fellow delegates, most of whom were fellow Labour Link activists. This morning I went for my early morning run in Liverpool along the River Mersey to say hello to the Beatles and the Liver birds. 

Then there was a rather full on work day with virtual meetings, emails and calls, as I was trying to clear pressing work and union issues, since I will be off from tomorrow until next week. 

In the evening I took part in the UNISON Greater London NDC delegate briefing in a local hotel as a regional delegate with Yvonne Green (the other delegate) and Regional Secretary, Jo Galloway. London has one of the largest delegations at conference and we briefed our delegates on role of Regional delegates, standing order committee reports, card votes, regional motions, events, fringes and "the snake" (more to follow). 

Afterward, some of our branch delegates (and Yvonne and her sister) went for a tasty chinese meal (and avoided the rain and thunderstorms). 

National Delegate Conference starts proper tomorrow at 10am. Yvonne and I will be there from 9.15am to hopefully get ready and prepared for the beginning of conference mayhem.  

 

Vote Labour on Thursday May 4th 2023

 

While there are no elections in London on May 4th, in other parts of the UK there are Council elections in England and Northern Ireland. UNISON Labour link will be supporting candidates across England and I expect in the coming week to be out supporting UNISON members standing as Labour Candidates in Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire. 

Remember in the latest attempt by the Tories to "fix" the vote in their favour,  you will need photo ID for these elections. See UNISON's view on this https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2023/03/voter-id-is-the-governments-latest-threat-to-our-democracy/

Dan Tomlinson for Chipping Barnet

 

It was great to attend fundraising dinner last week for the Labour candidate in Chipping Barnet, Dan Tomlinson. I went with my UNISON colleague (and political secretary to London Labour Link) Joel Bodmer. 

Dan was supported by @unisonglr #LabourLink committee during his successful selection process to be the official Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Chipping Barnet. 

Dan gave an inspiring speech on his local background, wider life experience and what he can offer the people of Chipping Barnet if elected as their MP.

Some great speeches also by London Assembly member Unmesh Desai and Rushanara Ali MP. 

My run of luck in Labour Party raffles continued and I for the second time in a row I won first prize in the (enviable) raffle. I choose a bottle of House of Lords whiskey, signed by the very good friend of UNISON, David Lammy MP. 

UNISON Labour LInk Motion on Cost of Living Crisis: London Labour Regional Conference 2023

(My speech yesterday) 

"Chair. Conference. John Gray, proposing this motion on Cost of living crisis on behalf of UNISON Labour Link, the political wing of the largest and of course best trade union in London.

Conference, yesterday, we heard from an expert panel on the cost of living crisis. This including a UNISON organiser who supports members in London NHS hospitals, who have to rely on food banks to feed themselves and their families.

But Conference there are other experts on the cost of living crisis and these experts are you all in this room, a room filled with grass root labour activists, Cllrs, Affiliates, MPs and Assembly members, and workers trying to pay our bills, who day in day out, see first-hand the misery that the Cost of Living crisis has been inflicted on so many Londoners. Don’t forget Conference that this fresh attack on living standards is taken place after a decade of cruel austerity.

And who has suffered the most misery in London? It is of course our Black community, who even before this current crisis had tended to experience the lowest wages, the highest unemployment, the worse housing, and most insecure jobs with shoddy terms and conditions. It is Black Workers who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, who were dying from Covid whilst carrying out vital frontline roles and who keep the public sector running in London.

Conference, this motion tells it as it is but also what will a future Labour Government will actually do to solve the crisis. As a front line housing worker in North London and as an elected unison London activist, who represents members who work in social care & the wider voluntary sector. Let me paint you a picture.

Workers, who have already suffered years of austerity, while trying to survive in London on an inadequate national minimum wage, have either insecure zero hour contracts or face the slash and burn of their terms and conditions by fire and rehire.

A future Labour Government will give all workers greater employment rights and protections from day one. End zero hour contracts and fire and rehire. A Labour Government will deliver Fair Wage Agreements that will bring employers and unions together in my sector & in social care, to negotiate binding pay and conditions.

Conference, check out the “New deal for working people” launched last year by my UNISON friend & colleague, Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner. This is how we will end the Cost of Living crisis.

But Conference, let me be clear. First and foremost, we must get a Labour Government elected. We must get Keir Starmer elected as our Prime Minister.

Conference, despite my youthful looks, I have been able vote in elections for 42 years. But in those 42 years there has only been 2 Labour Prime Ministers and only 1 of them had ever been elected.

While I have never agreed 100% with any Labour Prime minister or Leader, I am a firm believer that the worse day in any Labour Government is far, far better than the very best day of any Tory Government.

Conference please support this motion. Let’s not just talk about the Cost of living crisis but get a Labour Government elected to end it.

(hat tip photo Liz B)