TUC Congress 2018: Celebrating 150 years

I am at the TUC Congress in Manchester as part of the UNISON delegation which started at 4pm
today. This is the 150th anniversary of the 1st ever Congress which was also held in Manchester which is why we are back to celebrate.  Then only 34 delegates gathered nearby to discuss

The Congress guide reports this year that there are 519 delegates from affiliated trade unions. 268 Male and (only) 251 Female.  UNISON has has 57 delegates. 21 Male and 36 Female.

You can check out the business programme of Congress here and final agenda here.  As usual there are a number of fringes during lunchtimes and evening which I will try and attend as many as possible.  There is also a large exhibition hall full of stalls.

Despite falls in membership in recent decades, the TUC still represents a massive 6.23 million UK workers. Last year there was a welcome small increase.

Unions are as needed now as much as they were needed in the past. UNISON published today research on Housing and how it is now practically impossible for most public service workers to afford to buy a home. The Bank of England restricts mortgages to a maximum of 4.5 times their income. This means that for example NHS cleaners or teaching assistants cannot afford to buy anywhere in any English region. All unions have unfinished business to complete on behalf of their members.

Picture above of TUC President Sally Hunt from the UCU who gave her address and received a well deserved standing ovation.  Afterwards she mentioned the campaign by a TUC delegate who is also the Granddaughter of one of the Match Girl 1888 strikers (Sarah Chapman) who is buried in Manor Park, Newham without a headstone. Sign the petition here to provide one. 

Manchester Bombing - We stand together

Last night I was just about to go to bed when I saw a "breaking news" email on my IPAD about a bombing in Manchester. I spent the next 30 minutes or so on the BBC news website. Then feeling pretty helpless, I went to bed pretty sick and ashamed that fellow human beings had deliberately gone out to murder young children and their mothers.

Today I was at work holding a trade union surgery in a East London housing office. During lunch time I was talking to fellow workers in the communal kitchen when the 1pm news came on the television and updated us with the latest on this vile crime.

At first everyone was quiet and listened in shock and horror at further reports on the murder. Then we started talking about it, how we had first heard about it, what we first thought, what we feared, what we now wanted. The sense of a common and collective outrage reminded me of similar conversations nearly 10 years ago in another east end housing office, only a few hundred yards away after the 7/7 bombings.

On that day it was more personal since it was local and happened during work time. Many of us in the office had friends and relatives commuting into central London.

The murder of the innocents brought back yet another time, just over 20 years ago, in that same housing office as 2007, when I went out on an estate visit and when I came back I found most of the staff were openly crying in the office, as the news on the radio about the Dunblane Primary school massacre had come out.

Each event was uniquely horrible and horrific. But being able to share the horror with work colleagues and see their anger is your anger, their disgust is your disgust and coming together and being united in our common pain was the one positive thing I felt to come out of all these hateful acts.

There is indeed more that unites us than divides us.

Hat tip picture Andrew A

Who is this thug? Manchester City Centre 3.50am Sunday 10 July

I haven't done this type of thing before on blogger but this yob is wanted by Police to "assist" them in their enquirers following the serious and unprovoked assault on the partner of a friend of mine. This could have been a murder investigation.

"Police have released a photograph of a man they want to speak to after a 28-year-old man was attacked and left with a fractured skull in Manchester City Centre. 

At around 3.50am on Sunday 10 July 2016 a 28-year-old man was seriously assaulted on Portland Street outside the Siam Orchid, Manchester City Centre.

The victim was waiting for a taxi when he was head-butted and punched, knocking him unconscious.

The attacker then fled along Sackville Street towards Bloom Street with another man.

The man was left with multiple injuries including a fractured eye socket, a bleed on the brain and a fractured skull, which he received hospital treatment for.

Police have released a photograph of a man they want to speak to.

Detective Constable Phil Bainbridge of GMP’s City of Manchester team, said: “The attacker is clearly a violent and aggressive individual who knowingly left a man in a serious condition after he had attacked him in the middle of a busy street.

“I am appealing for the man in the photograph to come forward, and anyone who recognises him to contact police as they may have vital information that could help our investigation.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 1398 quoting 123846J/16 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

TUC March and Rally Manchester - #No2Austerity @4OctDemo

This picture is of UNISON members from London Ambulance Service (LAS) carrying our regional banner at the TUC demo today at Manchester.

Second from left is UNISON Vice President, Eric Roberts, who is the branch secretary of LAS.

This was a great day with an estimated 80,000 trade unionists (and many with their families) from all over the UK taking part in a rally and march against Austerity and the fascistic Anti-Trade Union bill.

The Conservative Party are holding their annual conference at Manchester and it is important to let them know that their extremist right wing agenda is dividing and destroying our country.

TUC March and Rally Manchester - Sunday October 4

Early start tomorrow morning (Sunday) to take the train to Manchester for March & Rally. I will be with the UNISON Greater London Regional banner. 

 

"No to Austerity – Yes to Workers’ Rights

National rally and march on the Tory conference

As the Conservative Party Conference meets in Manchester this year, thousands of trade union members and supporters will march through the city, taking a clear message to the party about its government’s damaging programme of austerity and attacks on the rights of working people and their unions.

Get directions

For more details, see the TUC website.

Programme for the day:
12.00: Assemble Oxford Road from All Saints Park southwards
13.00: Opening rally
13.30: March through the city on a route that circles the Conference Centre, ending at Deansgate / Whitworth St for coach pick ups

#No2Austerity @4OctDemo

TUC National Rally & March on the Tory Conference 4 October 2015

"Sunday 4 October –  “No to austerity, yes to workers’ rights”

"On Sunday 4 October, the Conservative party will open their annual conference in Manchester. After five years of austerity, falling living standards, pay freezes and huge cuts to public services, a new parliament won’t offer a fresh start to working people and their families. The Conservatives’ new plan is an old plan - back to the future with  more of the same.

We were told that austerity measures were a necessary, short, sharp dose of medicine . But five years later, the prescription is the still same. More plans to privatise public services, like the NHS. The government telling hardworking people, like midwives, teachers and transport workers, that they must work harder and longer. Public servants’ pay frozen for 4 more years.  Threats to jobs in the public sector. Plans to sell off social housing. Cutting tax credits, disability benefits and help with the rent. Unfair targeting of young people.

Trade  unions have a proud tradition of standing up for workers, their families and the services everyone uses. So now the government is threatening the right to strike.

In  the trade union bill, they propose to make it harder for unions to take strike action to oppose their cuts. They want to make it harder for workers to speak out - allowing employers to use agency workers to break strikes and putting huge restrictions on pickets and protests. In short, they want to silence millions of union members and threaten their right to strike.

So we all need to speak out now. March in Manchester on Sunday 4 October and tell the Conservatives  that we say “No!” to austerity. And tell them that workers need a voice. That trade unions give workers a voice. And that instead of austerity, it’s a resounding “Yes!” to workers’ rights".

hat tip https://www.tuc.org.uk/about-tuc/why-are-we-marching

Labour Party Conference 2014 Sunday #lab14

I thought that I would post this picture to give people a feel of what it is like to be at Labour Conference and stay in Manchester.

Pictures are from the Conference centre; the late night booze fest aka the Midland Hotel; the lovely canals (and it is always sunny and warm in Manchester - trust me), my extremely cheap and cheerful hotel in Back Piccadilly Street - £260 for 4 nights - Staff very nice and a "character hotel" with interesting damp problems (I never made breakfast, so can't vouch for it); arrival at conference of the victorious "Vote No" Labour Battle bus and a Manchester public service warning on the dangers of telly. 

Labour Party Conference 2014 #Lab14

On the train back to the "Smoke" after 5 days away at this year's Labour Conference in Manchester.

I was not a delegate and went in my "ex-officio" capacity as a Councillor. This meant I could have a late start (no early morning delegation meetings) and go for a jog in the morning to clear the head around the lovely city centre canals.

Best of all I could pick and choose which parts of conference business I wanted to see and also go to the fringes that took my fancy.

I'll post on some of the fringes and debates I attended during the next few days.

I must admit that I thought the conference was a little flat considering we are only 7 months away from a General election but the reason was I think that many in the Party were still knackered after the Scottish referendum.

Politically I think it went very well, the Party is united and determined to get rid of the Tories next May. While I think we ought to have gone further on a number of policies and announcements, we have enough to win and "win big" as guest international speaker, New York Mayor, Bill De Blasio, put it so effectively today.

I'll post more on Ed's speech but it passed the grayee litmus test (I rang my Mum who watched it on the telly and she said he came over well.).

Norman Geras: 1943-2013

The blogging world is a lesser place tonight. Prolific political blogger, Norman Geras, Manchester University Politics Professor has died.

I once heard him speak at a Euston Manifesto conference during which he described the SWP (Socialist Workers Party) as not socialists because they don't believe in democracy, not workers since they are middle class and not a party but a cult.  I never spoke to him, but I have long admired his numerous clever and insightful posts on "Normblog".

He has been described since his death as "Marxist Blairite" which is pretty weird but probably on balance true.  But his intelligent, questioning nature, fundamental decency and hatred of oppression shone through. I did not agree with everything he said but there is no denying his intellect and the power of his arguments.

"I am very sad to announce that Norm died in Addenbrooke's hospital in Cambridge in the early hours of this morning. Writing this blog, and communicating with all his readers, has brought him an enormous amount of pleasure in the last ten years. I know that since writing here about his illness earlier in the year he received a lot of support from many of you, and that has meant a great deal to him, and to us, his family. The blog and all its archives will remain online.

Jenny Geras (Norm's daughter), 18 October 2013

Update: Check out normfest

UNISON Save our NHS March and Rally Sunday 29 September

Save our NHS

Lobby of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester
Saturday 29 September

Say No to Austerity
Defend Jobs and Services

Supporters of the National Health Service and all those who want to defend jobs, services and a decent welfare state will be marching in Manchester to deliver a clear message to Conservative Party Conference that we mean to Save Our NHS from cuts and privatisation.

A march and rally have been called by the North West TUC, backed by UNISON, other unions and NHS campaign groups. They'll be assembling at Liverpool Road (M3 4FP) from 11am, and marching to a rally in Whitworth Park.

The protest will highlight the impact of huge job losses and spending cuts across the health service, as well as the rapid sell-off of the most lucrative parts of the NHS to private healthcare companies - many of whom like Circle are also Conservative Party donors.

The event will also raise concerns about the wider effect that government economic policies are having upon communities across the UK.

Getting there:

Coaches to Manchester are being laid on by London branches. Will send details nearer the time.

Get Involved:
Poster
Sign up to the Facebook event
Add a twibbon or badge to your facebook page or twitter profile
Sign the e-petition

Tweet#NHS999

(hat tip my Housing Association branch e-newsletter)

Bedroom Tax Protest Rally Manchester 16 March 2013

Picture from yesterday's (Saturday 16 March) lunchtime Bedroom Tax protest and mass rally in Manchester Piccadilly. Charity worker Isobel McVicar from Manchester Local Government Branch, who is also my fellow UNISON Community NEC member had organised an adjournment to our Conference for delegates to attend and support the rally.

The Bedroom Tax is a major issue to the Community members up and down the country. Not only are they going to be the workers who have to deal face to face with the resulting misery from vulnerable tenants due to the Bedroom Tax, but is is clear that many specialist Housing Association and voluntary organisations risk going under due to the whole gambit of Tory/Lib Dem welfare cuts.

Centre picture is of top UNISON and Labour movement activists Angela Rayner and Maureen Le Marinel. Angela is the branch sectary of UNISON Stockport Local Government branch and Maureen is of course one of our two UNISON National Vice Presidents.

Angela is standing for selection as the Labour Party candidate for Manchester Withington. What a superb MP she would make.

UNISON Community Conference 2013: Day 1

This is the seminar and conference for UNISON Community members who work in the Voluntary and Housing Association Sector which opened Friday afternoon in Manchester and finished (early) 5pm Saturday.

The first speaker was Karen Jennings, UNISON Assistant General Secretary seen in picture with the Service Group Executive Chair, Kevin Jackson and National Officer Simon Watson.

Karen describes herself as an unusual trade unionist since she is softly spoken. Her message however was pretty forthright and direct. The next few years are going to be tough and we are going to have to fight to protect members but if we cannot improve our union density then we will have no voice and no strength.

Next speaker was James Meadway, from the New Economics Foundation on "The Financial Crisis". James started off by hoping he would not depress us too much. I thought that he didn't and actually he raised hopes by pretty much abolishing the Tory led Government case for austerity and gave delegates the ammunition for arguing that there is a different way of running our economy. The last thing you should in a recession when there is no demand is cut government spending. What should be done instead is reverse austerity; redistribution of income; import less and democratise finance (break up banks).

After this we had a presentation by West Midlands Community branch about the highs and lows of setting up a regional wide branch.  That is a single branch for all UNISON members in the region who work in our sector (Voluntary organisations and housing associations).  Hats off to regional activists and staff who have obviously worked their socks off to get the branch up and running and to the National union for being prepared to seed fund it. It is still early days but it is a leading model of branch organisation and every other branch with community members can learn from it.

Finally there were separate regional meetings of delegates to welcome everybody and explain about conference business (speaking on motions, picking up voting cards, split votes etc) and a chance for branch representatives to decide what motions to support and to plan who will speak on what).  The London meeting also had a far ranging debate about putting our Community world to rights.

Despite the rain, a Friday night in Manchester City centre is always a good night out and I ended up with my Wexford born Branch Chair in a St Patrick's Day (or rather week) beer tent outside the Town Hall listening to live Irish music and drinking Guinness. Not sure it was the best preparation for my pension’s speech the following day...

Update: see UNISONactive take

UNISON National Delegate Conference 2011

This morning the UNISON National Delegate Conference opened in Manchester. This is one of the largest trade union gatherings in the world. There are 1.4 million UNISON members and we have delegates from all over the UK representing public service workers.

I am there as part of the Housing Association branch delegation with Mary Powell and Joel Bodmer.

I spoke at a Housing fringe meeting yesterday evening (will post on it later) after the close of the Local Government Conference. After the fringe I went to the London regional welcome meeting to delegates. Next was a UNISON Labour Link social which was held in the historic Manchester City Hall.

There is huge media interest in this years’ conference due to the threat of strike action over pensions. I was interviewed briefly by Sky News. The main debate on Pensions will be on Wednesday. It is a shame that nowadays the media are only interested in trade unions when strikes are on the agenda. There will be a number of important debates during conference which will never be reported upon. Despite the fact that trade unions are still the biggest mass movement in the UK.

I was in Manchester at the same venue last September for the Labour Party conference. So I am getting to know the area quite well. This morning I went for a run to clear my head and prepare for the day. Just after 7am I ran past the conference hall and saw the UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, standing outside being interviewed by a film camera team. I gave him the thumbs up, got a grin in return then I ran back along the Rochdale canal.

Labour Conference 2010: Life in the Northern Quarter

This year I stayed in an one bedroom flat in the “Northern Quarter” of Manchester. A world heritage site no less. This was not only cheaper and better than a hotel but it was also a far more interesting and cosmopolitan place to stay than the City centre. 

In the mornings I was able to try and shake off the Midland Hotel induced hangovers with an early morning jog around the nearby canals. 

On route I would pass an area near Piccadilly Basin which had been closed off to the public and was being used to film a Hollywood film based on the “Captain America” comics.   Apparently this part of Manchester resembles 1940’s Lower East Side, New York.  It was strange to see cast members walking around dressed as “gangsters and molls” in period hats and trench coats while texting or sheltering from the rain using modern umbrellas. 

Running (very slowly of course) along the canal’s you become very aware of Manchester’s industrial history and the “dark satanic mills” that we sang about a few hours ago earlier at conference.  Many old mills have been turned into apartment blocks similar to the old Bryant and May Matchmakers building in Bow.  There is even an area called New Islington to make me feel at home. The best run to appreciate the new and the old Manchester was along the Ashton Canal to the Man City stadium and back. 

On a sad and depressing point I did notice that thanks to the Banker's recession work has stopped on many construction sites which are moth balled and up for sale.  Some of the newly built apartments and office buildings also appear to be mostly empty.  Regeneration of this part of Manchester is obviously in trouble.

Massive CONDEM public spending cuts will just further destroy confidence. This will mean more construction workers will be unemployed, less taxes will be paid and more money needed to pay benefits.  Which will increase pressure on the deficit and mean more public spending cuts which will mean....We need our new British superhero, Ed M, to save us!

Labour Party Conference 2010: Sunday 26 September

First day of the 2010 Labour conference.  I am enjoying being a "Ex-officia" visitor and not being a delegate this year. 

Since I am not representing either my union or my local party I can pick and choose what debates I will attend in the main conference hall.

I will hopefully be able to attend and post on more fringes.

It's also my first big conference in the City of Manchester - which I am also enjoying hugely.

Ed Miliband is our new Party Leader

This is a great result for the Labour Party and the nation.  Ed narrowly beat his brother David in an incredibly close contest (50.65% to 49.35%)

David was in the lead until the very last stage.  The vote by trade union affiliates and the socialist society made the difference. 

The conference hall was packed with members even standing around the edges.  As the result was announced there was a huge cheer.  Around me delegates were hugging each other and some were openly crying. Ed was clearly emotional during his acceptance speech and I am sure it must have been also emotional for David as both brothers walked out of the hall together side by side.

On route to Manchester for Labour Party Conference

Live post from Crew while on my way to Manchester for this year's Labour Party conference. 

Ken Livingston was declared the London Labour Party candidate this morning.  He did well with 58% of the vote but Oona King came a  respectable second.

I'm not a delegate this year to conference but am going as a Councillor and Party member.  Tomorrow afternoon I have a ticket to the special leadership conference.  You probably know by now who I hope will win.  On Monday evening I will take part in this fringe as a panelist.

I'll try and blog as much as possible. 

Pedal-Power to the People

"In February 1894 a group of young men met to discuss how they might 'combine the pleasures of cycling with the propaganda of Socialism'. They formed the Socialists' Cycling Club, a name which at their second meeting was changed to the Clarion Cycling Club, after their favourite newspaper - a socialist weekly written & published in Corporation Street, Manchester.

100 years on Manchester Labour Clarion Cycling Club invites you to join our inaugural fund-raising bike ride to Quarry Bank Mill. Comrades can choose to join the ride at any point along the route from where we head out towards Manchester Airport to take the 8-mile Orbital Cycleway to Styal Country Park. At a very leisurely pace the ride should take around two hours to complete although we will of course be stopping en route to take on liquid.

£10 will guarantee you a place in the peloton and for anybody who wishes to come along but doesn't have a bike, a number of bikes have been made available to hire for a minimal fee.

To book a place or for further information contact: suzanneDOTrichardsATeasynetDOTco.uk."

hat-tip thingy Col. Roi

UNISON Labour Link (APF) Forum 2009

This is a quick post from Manchester. I'm just back from a meal out (a superb Turkish restaurant called the “Topkati Palace” in Deansgate) with fellow London delegates.

Tomorrow's agenda includes debates on motions, keynote speakers RH Harriet Harman MP and our GS Dave Prentis, workshops on “influencing the Government on key issues arising from UNISON national delegate conference”, MEPs panel Q&A, more motions then ending up with the traditional Friday night “Social”.

This is the elected national forum of the UNISON political fund which is affiliated to the Labour Party. It used to be called the “Affiliated Political Fund” or APF. This is a completely voluntary affiliation paid by those UNISON members who want to support and influence the Labour Party.

We live in “interesting times” in UNISON Labour Link and I am looking forward to a good debate on motions and during workshops. Needless to say – I will be expressing my views on things and hopefully posting over the next 2 days.

BTW – I have mislaid my Mobile -so apologies to anyone who is trying to get hold of me. You can email.