UNISON Safety inspection in Leeds Housing office

 

Today I travelled up to Leeds to support a new UNISON safety representative, Wayne, on his first trade union safety inspection of his local housing office and workshop. Wayne is a repairs operative, currently repairing void (empty) properties and has worked for the organisation for 30 years. 

The inspection was done in conjunction with Facilities management who were very helpful and reactive to problems identified. We also discussed safety issues and violence at work with the estate housing officer present. 

Our employer has 48 offices across England and we are planning to inspect all of them (eventually!). 

Forever Leeds: The Leeds Uni Reunion 1981-2023

This week I met up with Leeds University friends for a reunion, after in some cases, some 39 years apart. 5 of us shared a house in Headingley, Leeds (very close to the cricket ground). All of us (except Mike) had met each other as members of the local UOTC (training for a potential regular and territorial army officers unit attached to the University). 

By coincidence, on our visit to the Leeds campus on Tuesday there were graduation ceremonies for the present generation of Leeds graduates. Lots of happy new graduates, proud parents and family members. 

Leeds has been transformed since our time which was a pleasure to see but statistics tell us there are still deep rooted social and economic problems for many. 

See modern day picture of us sitting on steps in front of Leeds Uni student union (left to right - Mike, Claire, Me, Fiona (not in original photo but great friend of all of us), Vicki and Sue. 

Picture from 1983/84 (?) outside the student union left to right -me, Vicki, Mike, Sue (Ann, another great friend) and Claire. 

As you can see, we have all aged not a bit!

(I was also in Labour Students during this time and fairly active in the Students Union but do not recall anyone called Keir Starmer (Leeds Uni 1982-85), but since he had a very demanding Law degree to undertake, he probably did the sensible thing to knuckle down and concentrate on his course - unlike me). 

"A legendary social worker (and Labour movement activist) has retired" Dave Draycott

I have just congratulated on Facebook, Dave Draycott, a former Newham Council social worker and Leeds Labour movement activist (legend) on his retirement.

Dave has been a social worker for 44 years and a very active trade unionist, who also served as a Labour Councillor.

He is not at all "shy and retiring" and over the years he has got himself into bother because of this, from time to time, but in my experience, he has been a good comrade to me and others, as well as a pragmatic and authentic champion of the working class.

On Facebook tonight he posted "Well started in 76 and it’s time to go, retiring from Social Work and my team mates know me so well: single malt and political satire, hits the spot. The pressures of work will not be missed my workmates will, a great bunch."

I am pretty sure that we have not seen the the last of Dave Draycott in our movement. Hat tip to Unmesh for the Facebook link.

When we were young...

A lovely picture from 1980's Leeds University with most of my 3rd year housemates. We look so, so young. Hat tip Claire. 

UNIONS21 Conference 2015: Rebalancing Britain's Economy

Unions21 Conference. It is a shame but I have a clash so I don't think I will be able to make it this year.

Miner's Strike: 30th anniversary

This framed cartoon is on the wall of the community centre where I hold my Councillor surgery. The Chair of the centre is the daughter of a miner.

It takes me back to Yorkshire and my youth. This year is the 30th anniversary of the start of the 1984-1985 Miner's strike. As a politics student in Leeds at the time, I went to rallies and pickets lines to show support. But I don't think I really understood what what was really going on nor what it is like to actually go on strike until I became a trade union activist in UNISON.

The miners strike was not just about saving jobs but also about saving communities and a way of life - now long gone. They lost that particular battle but that does not mean that we cannot organise workers and communities to take action and act collectively in the future - and win the war.