TUC LESE Regional Council & Love Unions week 2026

On Saturday morning, I joined UNISON colleagues from Greater London, South East, and Eastern regions as delegates at the TUC LESE Regional Council meeting. It was held online because the National TUC has decided to sell its headquarters at Congress House (sadly, it was unsuitable), and the venue was unavailable. 

The meeting began with a report on the welcome introduction of the Employment Rights Act in April by the Labour Government, the Together Alliance Demo on March 28th, the abolition of the two-child benefit cap, and significant increases in the minimum wage, especially for 18-20 year olds. 

A fascinating panel discussion on "The Future of Work" followed, covering climate change and the need for a just transition for workers, the potentially daunting yet promising future of AI, and the real-life impact of workplace automation shared by a Southampton docker. 

Next came a presentation on London May Day publicity and mobilisation, followed by an in-depth report from TUC LESE Regional Secretary Sam Gurney (I must ask if he is related to the Gurneys of 19th-century Newham). A positive and constructive Q&A session wrapped up that segment. 

There were several mentions of TUC’s "Love Unions" week, 9-15 February. I’ve ordered leaflets and will be organising an event at my workplace. The excellent TUC LESE video "Heart Unions Blues," played during the meeting, is well worth watching. https://www.tuc.org.uk/heartunions

Although a speaker on the May Local Government elections was unavailable, there was a general discussion about what the TUC can and cannot do during such elections, given electoral laws and the fact that it is not affiliated with any political party nor has a political fund. Nonetheless, this doesn’t prevent the promotion of trade union values. 

No motions were tabled, and after the finance report and any other business, the meeting closed slightly early. I then went off to campaign for Labour in my ward. 

#HeartUnions week 10-16 February 2025

 

#HeartUnions week 10-16 February 2025 - Join in and let’s grow our movement

Can you run a recruitment stall in your local area? Run your event any time during #HeartUnions week, 10 - 16 February, or later if you need to. Sign up here to receive a pack of campaign materials, resources and guidance. There is a map of events on the Megaphone website here - make sure to add your event! The number one reason that people give for not joining a union is that they've never been asked. Can you be the person to ask? In #HeartUnions week people around the country will take to the streets to spread the word about why unions are vital for everyone at work, and they will encourage others to join a union. To grow our movement, we need more union members, more reps, more organisers, and more people to know about the power of being in a union. Can you run a recruitment stall or leafleting activity in your workplace or local area? We'll post you a bundle of resources and leaflets, and support you along the way. Sign up today Any queries, get in touch with campaigns@megaphone.org.uk (I am planning a stall during this week at work)

HeartUnion Blues 2024

Love Unions week finishes on Sunday. In the meanwhile :-

"Have a bit of musical fun, with deep political foundations And if you and all your trade union friends want to cheer yourselves up and give your politics a happy bounce in HeartUnions week, then watch TUC LESE HeartUnions Blues"

#HeartUnions Join UNISON

TUC heartunions week 2024

12 – 18 February 2024

Annual TUC week to promote trade unions and UNISON to the wider public and in workplaces.

Love Unions 8-14 February 2021

 

Today I attended the TUC London, East & South East (LESE) Regional Council meeting as a UNISON delegate.  LESE is the largest of the TUC's six English regions and covers three of the former government regions: London, the South East, and East of England. Over two million trades unionists live and work within the region.

I hope to write a report on the meeting later but thought I should highlight this years "Heart Unions" week. 

"HeartUnions week will be take place 8-14 February 2021. It’s a chance to tell the story about why unions are vital for everyone at work, and encourage people who aren't yet in a union to join. 

What's it all about?

During the week we want to do two simple things:

1. demonstrate how brilliant unions are by showcasing all that we achieve for working people – especially during the pandemic.

2. encourage as many people as possible who are already union members to ask someone they know to join one too.

So, during the run up to HeartUnions week – and during the week itself – we’ll be sharing stories that show unions’ impact and providing reps and members with resources to help them get more people to join a union.

Get involved

We hope unions will run their own HeartUnions campaigns highlighting what they’ve won with and for their members, and encouraging more workers in their respective industries and sectors to join a union.

On social media we’ll be using the hashtag #HeartUnions. Use it to keep in touch with what the TUC and unions are saying, and to publicise your own activities.

Over the last year unions have demonstrated their relevance and effectiveness like never before, so let’s use #HeartUnions to say loudly and proudly UNIONS ARE BRILLIANT – JOIN ONE TODAY!"

#HeartUnions 2019

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