London Labour Conference - Day 2 West Ham CLP & UNISON

Day 2 of conference started for me with a UNISON delegation meeting at 9.30 which was confusing since we did not know the order of business for the day.  So we agreed to meet up again at lunchtime by which we expected that any controversial matter to be explained so we could make a collective decision.

Then we found out that that the proposed rule changes were to be heard first thing that morning. So it was all rather confusing and messy.

Both UNISON and West Ham CLP had a good day I think with a number of us making speeches in conference debates and contributions during fringes.

I moved the Housing motion on the private rental sector on behalf of UNISON and Joshu moved the motion on Youth Safety on behalf of West Ham CLP. Both were passed unanimously.

During the merit awards retired former UNISON Regional Secretary Linda Perks (and Labour Councillor candidate 2018) was given a lifelong service award.

Dawn Butler MP closed conference with a lovely personal but powerful political speech about overcoming and rising above racism and sexism.

While the conference was a little grumpy and even bad tempered at times I thought it was on the whole a success and that we were united about the importance of winning both the next General Election and local elections in London 2018.

I was really pleased to end the day with singing (however badly) "The Red Flag" and posing with UNISON comrades for the traditional delegation conference picture.  

From London UNISON Regional Secretary to London Labour Councillor

Last week I went to a packed out retirement function for UNISON Regional Secretary, Linda Perks. This is her leaving message to staff and members.

“I write to advise that I will be retiring from UNISON on 30 September after working for the union for over 34 years and being a member since 1979. As many of you know, I came to the Greater London as a Regional Organiser in 1990 and, following working in the South East, Head Office and East Midlands, returned as Regional Secretary in 2004. 

 I have very much enjoyed my time in the region, and greatly appreciate the support given to me by so many of our activists, branch officers, senior lay members and staff. Together we have worked hard to build and sustain strong trade union organisation in London’s public services, and I believe we have been successful in building a union to be proud of. 

I will remain a retired member and intend to continue being active in the Labour Party, so hopefully our paths may cross in the future. Steps are being taken to fill my post, in the meantime Stephanie Thomas will continue in the role of Acting Regional Secretary. Any queries should be sent via Nick Turnbull.

 With very best wishes, 

 Yours Sincerely 
 Linda Perks” 

 Our UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis was there and spoke about the debt that UNISON owed Linda for her dedication and service to the union. He tweeted “Absolutely packed house to thank Linda Perks, one of our longest serving regional secretaries. We will all miss her”

I read out a message of thanks from Yvonne Green, the UNISON London Regional convenor (who was aboard on holiday), to Linda and I also told a little known tale of her cleansing the route of trade union marches in London from unnecessary litter.

 We will miss Linda but wish her well in her retirement and having been recently selected as a Labour Councillor candidate in Greenwich, wish her well in the 2018 elections and we will watch this space.

Why union branches have to follow the money...

Picture from last weeks packed Greater London workshop on branch finance in the UNISON centre. NEC Chair of the Finance Committee, Josie Bird, led the training supported by National and Regional officers.

The aims of the training were:-

• To understand the principles of activity-based budgeting (ABB) 
• Discuss the benefits of activity-based budgeting to your branch
• Consider how OLBA functions can help support the budgeting process
• To identify the next steps for activity-based budgeting within your branch

It was an exceptional turnout for a training on branch finance. It used to be the case in some branches that financial planning and budgeting wasn't all that important. They would just role over the last years accounts and add a bit for inflation. Thankfully this is no longer the case in most branches (I hope). The entire union movement is under attack by this Government and we have to make sure that all our money is used effectively to defend us.

I was there as Regional Finance conveyor. I closed the training by thanking the all those who helped organise this meeting and especially my NEC comrade, Josie Bird. I am proud that my union grows its rank and file lay activists, so they can take on such positions of responsibility.

I also pointed out I used to be a treasurer of a branch that had hundreds of thousands of pounds in reserves, which was very scary for someone who didn't have a finance background. I wish then I had the kit and support that is now on offer.

At the best of times it is vital that we have sound financial governance, never mind nowadays, the worse of times, when we need to make sure that every penny we have is well spent.

We must never forget either that our funds do not belong to the "union" nor to the "branches" they belong to our members and it is our absolute duty to make sure that they are spend properly and solely in their interests.

Picture of  London Regional Secretary, Linda Perks, leading discussion on workshop outcomes.

London Reception #Lab15

After arriving at the hotel in Brighton and picking up my delegation pack from unison office, I went to my first conference event, the London Labour Party reception.

This is the annual shin dig for London delegates and Party members. London Labour Chair and Assembly member Len Duvall opened the reception.

The guest speaker was of course London MP and newly elected Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.  The meeting was packed and when Jeremy arrived he took ages to make his way through the crowd as he stopped to greet and speak to people. I managed to tease him for not turning up to our London Unison Labour Link meeting last week to give his quarterly Parliamentary report.  Jeremy being Jeremy, he sincerely apologised and said he will try and attend a future meeting. I said we would not denounce him on this occasion.

He gave a rousing and even emotional speech which went down well. I am trying to work out when the last time a London MP was Labour Party leader.

Dawn Butler MP spoke about the successes that London Labour had in May and introduced our new MPs.

Unison regional secretary Linda Perks introduced the next keynote speaker, Labour London Mayoral candidate, Sadiq Khan. His election next May as Mayor will be crucial to the Labour recovery.

During the reception I was able to join in with some fairly heavy duty lobbying about Housing Associations attempts to do a dodgy deal with the Government in favour of Right-to-buy and rat out local authorities. I hope that delegates will bring this up with CEOs at the conference fringes sponsored by Housing Associations.

Afterwards a very mixed bunch of us from Newham and a number of other CLPs went off for a meal to carry on chatting, arguing and (occasionally) gossiping. 

#uNDC15 UNISON Greater London Regional delegation meeting

UNISON London branches have sent over 200 delegates to Conference.

At a packed regional delegation meeting on Monday evening, our elected regional reps Yvonne Green and Phoebe Watkins, briefed delegates on what to expect.

On Thursday evening all delegates were encouraged to attend a demonstration outside Glasgow Council City Hall in protest against the dismissal of UNISON steward, Robert O'Donnell, at the SECC (the conference centre we are using in Glasgow) and in support of the 74 UNISON members working as homeless case officers, who are in their eleventh week of strike action.

Regional Secretary, Linda Perks and deputy convener, Conroy Lawrence also chipped in with advice about staff conference team, scanning of credentials and card votes.  The London regional social takes place today (Wednesday) at 8.30pm in the Thistle Hotel, Cambridgeshire Street.

Our London Standing orders rep, Jim Manfield, made a brave attempt at explaining the mysterious world of SOC.

Publicity officer Lyn Bentley asked for new delegates to tell her what are their impressions and send her stories to publish in our daily regional conference "London Calling" newsletter.

UNISON Greater London Community Executive AGM 2015 with Sadiq Khan MP

Collage is from the Regional AGM on Saturday for delegates from branches with Community Service Group members (Housing Associations and the Voluntary sector).

The meeting started on a somber note, as we stood up to pay our respects to Colin Joseph, who recently passed away suddenly. Colin was a long standing case worker for the Voluntary Organisation branch and will be sadly missed.

First speaker was our newly elected lay regional conveyor, Yvonne Green, who described herself as "the new Gloria".  She thanked all members who got involved in the election. She had done her bit in Croydon North and while devastated at the prospect of 5 years of Tory rule, encouraged all members to stand up to them, join Labour link and get involved in your branches and the Party.

UNISON Regional Secretary (and vice chair of Labour Board), Linda Perks, spoke about the last 5 years and how we had actually defended our members better than expected. We have had some terrible struggles in Community, especially in care and support but are now having some decent pay settlements in housing management organisations.

She thought a major reason for the defeat was that a third of the electorate did not vote. She wants us to now go on the offensive with the Tories and their attacks on working people. Expose their obscene employment practices such as unfair zero hour contracts. Linda also called for UNISON members to help build our Labour Link organisation and get involved in local Labour Parties and explain our case. How else will the Party understand us?

Our keynote speaker was UNISON member, Sadiq Khan MP (and Labour London Mayoral candidate), who did his best to cheer us up after the General Election result.

Sadiq thanked us for all the work that the unions did and said that he thought that one reason why Labour did better in London than other parts of the country was its good links with the trade unions.

He then reminded us of what Tony Benn said about politics and defeat "There is no final battle, there is no final defeat. There is the same battle over and over again. So toughen up - bloody toughen up". Sadiq believes that we can and will win in 2020 and we need to start by winning the mayoral campaign in Tower Hamlets.

Sadiq had to leave for another meeting. In the Q&A I pointed out that we must never accept the argument that Labour lost the election because it was "too left". With hindsight we should have realised that we were never likely to win because it is a historical fact that voters in this country will give any government a second chance. Especially if the economy is seen to be improving (aka "its the economy stupid").

In the collage is a great photo of retiring Chair, Charlie Hore, thanking our UNISON Regional Organiser, Colin Inniss, who obviously thinks things are not tough enough in our sector since he soon going off on an unpaid 6 month career break to go hang gliding and mountain climbing! Colin will be a difficult act to (temporarily) follow but the union is interviewing soon for his replacement.

Next on agenda was Dave Johnson, national secretary, on "meeting the organising challenge in the Community Sector". The future of the union depends on us keeping our current density and organisation in sectors that will be outsourced under the Tories. To me it is clear that we have to organise or die.

Final speakers were bectu union lay activists, Christopher Hutchings and Kerri Sandell, who told us about their successful campaign to win a living wage for all workers in the Curzon cinema chain. This is a pretty inspiring campaign which all of us can learn from. However, it was not all about publicity stunts and embarrassing the employer (but that was important) but also about a lot of hard work, organisation and graft by local activists supported by their national officers (and most importantly making sure that there was also some fun and laughs).

Despite the depressing backdrop, this was a really positive and forward thinking AGM. Congratulations also to new Chair, Mitsy Harmon and vice Chair, Tony Power.

Afterwards I went off to fight the good fight for Tower Hamlets Labour Mayoral candidate, John Biggs.

London Labour Conference 2014 - Question Time Panel

Yesterday was the London Labour Conference 2014 which took place at Hammersmith Town Hall. I will post in more detail on the conference later this week but the picture is of me addressing the "Question Time  with London's MPs, MEPs, AMs and Cllrs" panel in the main hall.

On the panel was Clive Efford MP. Claude Moraes MEP, Val Shawcross AM, Cllr Alice Perry and Cllr Stephen Alambritis. London Labour Vice Chair Linda Perks (and UNISON regional secretary) chaired.

"Conference, Panel, John Gray, UNISON delegate and Chair of the London UNISON Labour political fund, asking about the governance arrangements of London 3rd sector  organisations such as Housing Associations and Charities who are nominally independent but in fact are hugely dependent on public funding, direct or indirect.

Some of whom act in undemocratic and unaccountable ways, such as the London Housing Association called Catalyst, who is currently trying to de-recognise UNISON while also refusing to speak to the union, those who give their senior executives huge pay rises and those who have no meaningful resident or client input in the way they are run.

What can be done to make such organisations in London accountable, democratic and transparent?

Val Shawcross replied that she when she became an Assembly member she was astonished to find that there was some 500 separate Housing Associations in London. Some of them are run well and have tenants on their board but she has concerns about others over issues such as fire safety and diversity. A future Labour London Mayor should make positive progressive requirements over the sector. We may have lost sight of this due to the massive problem of supply.

I had some interesting conversations afterwards and offers of help with the Catalyst issue which I will take up if needed.

For further information on the Union busting by Catalyst click on its name in "labels" under this post.

(hat tip West Hammer Shagufta Nasreen for photo)

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)

Mallowstreet Presentation to London UNISON Pension Reps

Yesterday lunchtime there was the quarterly meeting of the Greater London UNISON Pension network.

There was about 20 activists who attended. All of whom are observers or member nominated representatives on London LGPS (Local Government Pension Scheme) pension schemes. We also had an update from our Regional Secretary, Linda Perks.

The Pensions social media website "Mallowstreet" were our guest speakers.  Stuart Breyer and Victoria Sinclair from Mallowstreet (see picture) gave us an presentation about the site and what they do and what they can offer pension trustees.

It was a really useful meeting and we also had a far reaching debate about the on going governance and stewardship debate regarding the future of the £150 billion LGPS. It is currently completely unclear what will  happen but our national negotiators are busy arguing on our behalf so we will have to wait and see.

London Labour Health Network Launch - Saving our NHS

On Wednesday evening I was at the launch of the London Labour Health Network at the House of Commons. This is a new Labour campaign group to protect NHS services in London.

London CLPs, MPs, AMs, Councillors with health briefs and affiliates were invited to the launch. I was part of the UNISON delegation.

Linda Perks, Vice Chair of London Labour Party and Regional Secretary for UNISON chaired the event with London Shadow minister, Sadiq Khan MP.

See London Labour Party report here while I tweeted on the event here. 

Sadiq opened the launch stressing the key role that the NHS will play in the elections next year in London and 2015. First speaker was Labour Lord, Phil Hunt who reminded everyone that Tory David Cameron was able to neutralise the issue of the NHS in 2010 due to his promise to keep it safe. He has failed to keep this promise and we must remind voters.

Linda Perks spoke about the NHS being the 2nd most important issue in London next to the cost of living crisis. In order to convince voters we need to make sure that the Party manifesto commits to the fair funding that will be necessary.  The London Labour Party will set up a  network of campaigners on health in London.

Labour Shadow Health Minister, Andy Burnham MP, officially launched the campaign. Andy said that Labour must lead the fight to save the NHS that they made and then saved in the last government.

He told us that we have to inspire people and stop agonising on our record in the last government.  Yes, we made mistakes, such as letting in the market but we should be proud of the NHS in 2010. We need to put people before profit, we need a public health service, we need to bring into the NHS  integrated care. Labour will repeal the Tory Health & Social Care Act. Labour needs to get this  message across to voters on their doorstep.

Andy then spent around 30 minutes in a wide ranging Q&A. I asked at the end that firstly we need to defeat the Tories in elections but also that we need to make the wider political case for publicly provided services and the public sector ethos.  This will stop the drift to the "market knows best" that did take place in the Party in recent years.

Andy broadly agreed and answered by saying he is not neutral over who should be the main provider of NHS services.  He compared the unnecessary privatisation of Royal Mail and the Tories intention to do the same with our NHS. Its time to question the mantra: public bad, private good.

London UNISON Health Training Conference 2013

Guest post by Comrade Eitingon on the 10th London Health training event which took place on Friday October 4th at Congress House. I missed it this year due to other union commitments.

"The attendance was about 230+ UNISON activists work with in health in London, which was I believe as good as last year.

We had a had a wide range of speakers on subjects such as NHS transition; Kick it Out! - Tackling racism in Football; WARMS; ACAS - another turbulent year in industrial relations and keynote speaker our General Secretary, Dave Prentis.

Lewisham hospital nurse and London UNISON Service Group Executive member Mike Davey spoke on the 'Be Safe' campaign.  Other speakers included Regional Secretary Linda Perks and Health Regional Manager Chris Remington.

The photo is of Chris Remington presenting the first 'Louis Ellis memorial award' to Rudi Spencer from the Royal Free Hospital for his recruitment efforts.

Louis Ellis is the guy in the photo on the front of the podium. Louis died over the summer, he was a character and was hugely respected within the hospital. His funeral was to cost £8000, over a three week period £6500 was raised by collections amongst the hospital staff, the branch clearing the rest.

His line manager told the region that he was so well known and popular as a Union rep that the hospital would have closed if everyone who wanted to had attended his funeral, hence there will be a separate memorial meeting.

It was good to be highlighting a real unsung union hero". 

London Labour Party Biennial Conference 2013

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Today was the London Regional Conference of the Labour Party at the Old Town Hall in Stratford, E15.

I had my ward surgery beforehand and missed the opening speeches and arrived towards the end of the plenary Housing debate.

The main hall of the Town Hall was packed with delegates. Standing room only.

Activist Jeffrey Blay, 62 years a Party member received an award from Iain McNicol, the General Secretary of the Labour Party as did the former London Regional secretary, Ken Clarke.

Iain addressed Conference next. The last time he had been in this hall he had  "piped in the haggis" for the Newham Burns Night (I saw him do this in 2012. I wonder if any other political party has a bagpipe player and black belt in Karate as its GS). He reminded everyone that the Labour Party started in this town hall with the election of Kier Hardie in 1892. Sadiq Khan MP, in his first outing as Shadow Minister for London spoke next and praised the Party links with hard working people through the trade unions and slams the London Tory record on housing. London faces a catastrophic housing crisis & social cleansing.

The morning session finished with the debate on the NHS. Picture above of Maggi Ferncombe from UNISON moving the motion on defending London's NHS.  

I didn't go to any of the lunchtime fringes due to a meeting but after the end of the NHS (no pun intended) and the London economy debate, I attended the workshop on Trade Unions and Labour Party Liaison.  Chaired by Fiona Twycross with UNISON Regional Secretary and Vice Chair Labour Board Linda Perks, Labour Party Regional Secretary Alan Olive and Alan Tate from CWU.

A delegate got herself into a little bit of a pickle when she realised that there could be a double meaning to her claim that the Labour Party is always looking at Scandinavian models! In the Q&A I mentioned the successful London training events London UNISON has run for branch Labour Link officers and that you can arrange union meetings at the House of Commons with friendly Labour MPs to attract rank and file members who would never normally attend any union or political meetings. 

My second workshop was led Margaret McDonagh and John Braggins on "Winning in low turnout areas and building our winning alliance". A key point was that we should "Stop Voter ID Now" (which will upset our organiser!).  Instead of asking people to do something for us (go out and vote Labour) we should be asking them what we can do for them. Makes sense to me.

After the motion on the London Economy there were emergency motions on the plans by Tory Mayor Boris Johnson to slash the fire service in London and the threat to our education services from the so called "Free Schools". I seconded the motion against Free Schools and will post my speech later. I then had to run off to another commitment and missed the election results, the close and the singing of the Red Flag and Jerusalem.

Ken thanks London UNISON for help during Mayoral campaign

This letter from Ken Livingstone was sent to Linda Perks, the London UNISON Regional Secretary and circulated to our regional committee.

"Dear Linda
Thank you for everything you and London Unison did to help with the London Mayoral election campaign.

London Unison has been fantastic - not simply by donating, but through unwavering support, the ideas you contributed and the campaigning you undertook.

Please also accept my thanks for the very excellent work of London TULO, without which we would have been far less effective.

The trade union movement is central to achieving progress in our society.  From the outset I wanted a campaign that worked with the unions, that knitted in the progressive ideas of the trade union movement, and sought to address the very issues faced by our trade union members.  I am proud that we worked so hard to achieve those goals.

Many people wrote the campaign off from the start and could not have expected it would come so close. I am sorry that I was unable to pull off a victory that so many hard-pressed Londoners were depending on.

We didn't win, but the idea of a fairer London should not be lost.  Our policies showed a fairer way forward for the Capital's residents: cutting fares; improved neighbourhood policing; introducing a London EMA; providing better and cheaper housing; helping people with the cost of living from affordable childcare to reducing price of household energy bills.

Please ensure my thanks are passed on to everyone in the union who played their part.

It has been a great inspiration to be part of this London election campaign with you. I very much look forward to working with you again in the future.

Thank you again.

In solidarity

Ken Livingstone

UNISON Secures Living Wage victory for Cleaners at St George's

Well done and another great victory for the local UNISON Health branch at St George's Hospital. In 2008 they secured a living wage for cleaners employed by ISS (see here and photo) . Now they have done the same after years of campaigning for cleaners employed in the Medical school. See press release below.

UNISON SECURE LONDON LIVING WAGE VICTORY FOR CLEANERS AT ST GEORGES HOSPITAL MEDICAL SCHOOL

UNISON at St Georges Hospital has secured after a lengthy campaign the introduction of the London Living Wage for cleaning staff working in the Medical School. The new hourly rate of £8.30 per hour will be introduced on 1st August 2012.

The union has also concluded a comprehensive union recognition agreement with the company that employs the Medical School cleaners, Ocean Facilities Services Ltd.

Simon Emdin, UNISON Branch Secretary stated:

“We are pleased that the St Georges Medical School has recognised the importance of paying the London Living Wage it will make a significant improvement to the working lives of many hardworking low paid women workers.

UNISON pays tribute to the cleaners and St Georges medical students for their role in ensuring that the London Living Wage was fully implemented”.

Linda Perks, UNISON Regional Secretary stated:

“As a union we are fully committed to ensuring all staff on the St Georges Hospital site secure as a minimum the London Living Wage.  

UNISON is hoping to conclude London Living Wage agreements with all Medical School’s in the Capital.” 

UNISON St Georges Hospital branch has over 2,000 members and has campaigned for a London Living Wage over many years.

Update: Unisonactive and Unison national

Meet Ken Livingstone at the UNISON Centre Tuesday 6 March

Greater London UNISON Pension Strike Briefing

Picture is from the very successful London UNISON pension strike briefing on Tuesday.  The room was packed with reps from all over London and all parts of the union.  There was standing room only.

Regional Secretary Linda Perks is seen hammering home the importance of successful strike action to save members pensions and how we need to organise to win. I was impressed with the mature and constructive comments and questions made.

Of course there was some daft stuff by those who don't understand what strikes and picket lines are about. As well as the grumpy obligatory sectarian leadership bashing. However, I was also astonished at the praise heaped on Labour Councils for their support of our cause by one comrade.  Who I have known for nearly 20 years and who has never, ever said a good thing about Labour before.  Perhaps he has seen the light:) 

Anyway, overwhelmingly a good solid, purposeful and determined meeting.  While we all hope for a negotiated settlement, if we don't get one, roll on N30.

Barnet Strike Action today (with Charity twist)

Good luck to Barnet UNISON who are taking strike action today. Picture is of Regional Secretary Linda Perks addressing last months rally outside Hendon Town Hall. I'm off to Herts today so cannot make it.

"300 UNISON members will be taking one day strike action On Tuesday 18 October as part of a Trades Dispute which concerns the identity of the employer. 

Unlike other strike action there is a twist. 

On the picket line outside the headquarters of Barnet Council (north London business park) UNISON members will stage a short piece of street theatre to demonstrate the dangers of One Barnet Programme to residents, services and staff. There will be two performances at 9am and 9.30 am. 

At 10.30 am a number of strikers will be taking a coach trip across the borough in order to provide help and assistance to a local charity which is desperate need of help. The strikers will spend the rest of the day carrying a number of tasks for the charity. 

UNISON members are calling on the Leader of Barnet Council not to pocket the money he has saved from the strikers and instead donate that money to the Mayor’s Charity

Barnet Young Carers And Siblings 'BYCAS'; The Outward Bound Trust; The Alzheimer's Society 

The day’s activity will end with a Candlelight Vigil outside Hendon Town Hall from 6.30 pm before the Planning Committee begins.  Check out rest of press release here

Barnet lockout, strike and lobby

The title of this post could have been "Big guns target Barnet" (I'll explain later). I left the TUC conference a little early to get to Hendon Town Hall to join the UNISON lobby against the Tory plans to privatise 70% of the staff employed by Barnet Council. 

Earlier in the day, the incompetent and completely daft, Barnet senior management team had decided to send home all workers who came into work in the morning while planning to strike in the afternoon.  This meant that the employer employed 19th century bully boy employment tactics and "locked out" its workers and prevented them from providing a service.  They turned a half day strike into a full day?  I thought managers wanted to avoid strike action!

At the rally there were a number of speakers.  Pickets reported back and messages of support were read out (including from our General Secretary Dave Prentis).  Local residents, activists from UNISON and other unions spoke in support, including London Regional Convenor Gloria Hanson (see picture) and the Regional Secretary, Linda Perks.  The rally was also a lobby of a meeting of the full Barnet Council.  Barnet Council Labour Group had tabled a motion calling for the end of the "One Barnet" Easy Council policy.  Deputy Labour Leader Barry Rawlings (former NUPE steward) spoke to the rally about their motion.  Well done to the Branch, the pickets and to John and Helen for a successful strike and rally.

(According to my esteemed NEC colleague the Ship on the London UNISON regional banner seen behind Gloria is the Battleship HMS Belfast which is moored in the Thames.  For some reasons the Guns of HMS Belfast are always pointed towards the London Borough of Barnet!).  Stop press  Barnet Labour Group walked out of the Council chambers last night when the Tories refused to allow them to debate their motion.

Barnet UNISON Strikers face "lock out" threat by Tory Council

Good luck to the 400 Barnet Council UNISON members who are going out on strike tomorrow
afternoon over the potential privatisation of all Council services. 

The Tory Council is now threatening to send home workers as they arrive at work in the morning if they are going on strike that afternoon. In effect they are imposing a "lock-out".

Linda Perks, UNISON London regional secretary, said:

“Barnet Council continues to push through reckless plans that gamble with the future of hundreds of staff and the vital services they provide.

“The response from the council to the action has also been disgraceful, as they are now threatening to send workers home without pay if they do not work the full day.

“A week ago, UNISON presented council bosses with a report that highlighted the potentially devastating impact of outsourcing on staff pensions, terms and conditions and on job losses.

“A report by the council also raised concerns about how well existing contracts are being run. It flouted its own contract procedure rules by paying more than £1million to a private company without background checks - this is unlikely to be a one-off.

“A huge amount of money will be wasted during the procurement process through payments to consultants, shareholders, and in contract costs. This cash should be invested in local people and in keeping vital services running.

“We are calling on Barnet Council to listen to staff and the union’s concerns. Barnet council workers do not take action lightly, and it could be avoided if the council put a stop to its devastating plans.”

Send messages of support to Barnet UNISON and there is a lobby of the Council meeting at Hendon  Town Hall tomorrow (Tuesday 13th) 5.30pm to 7.30pm (nearest tube: Hendon Central on the Northern Line) which I hope to attend.

London Labour Councils Condemn Goverment over attack on LGPS

London Regional Secretary, Linda Perks, sent out yesterday news of this welcome policy statement on the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) by London Councils Labour Group. 

"We condemn the arbitrary 3.2% increase in employee contributions to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) announced by George Osborne. This rise will force many current members of the scheme to leave with damaging consequences for them as individuals and the future viability of the scheme itself.

We reject the characterisation of local government pensions as “gold plated” and note that in 2009/10 the average LGPS annual pension was just £4052. We believe that LGPS, being a funded scheme, can be sustainable and affordable.

We believe this proposal seriously undermines these principles. We therefore demand that the chancellor withdraws his proposal and that the Government enters into dialogue with Local Authorities and the Trade Unions to secure the future of the LGPS".

18 out of the 32 London Boroughs are currently run by Labour, although all 32 Labour Groups are signed up to it. Boroughs should be publicising the statement locally.  I am pleased that in May this similar motion was passed unanimously by Newham Council at our AGM.  I understand that other Labour run Councils and Labour Groups have adopted the same motion and policy statements.