UNISON NDC 16: Tuesday morning

Guest Post By NEC member Elizabeth Cameron. "And we're off! !! ‪#‎uNdc16‬ gets underway.

Fairly lengthy but also interesting standing orders report delivered by new chair Mark Rayner for whom this is a well deserved achievement,

Mark has worked tirelessly for years on this committee and couldn't be a better replacement for Clytus (never knew how to spell his name apols if it's wrong).

The annual report is moved and Financial statements and accounts both accepted with some additional work we need to do with our members. The hall is full and I forgot how lovely it is at this conference bumping into old friends from across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in all of our sector groups. I hope we can look within the next few days at ways we can work together to do the best job possible to represent and campaign both with and for our members especially on equalities Black, Women, LGBT and Disabled.
 
I'm excited and proud to be speaking on Motion 65 'How much worse can it get for Black members' on Wednesday, when I'll also be a speaker at the 'Show Racism the Red Card' fringe in Syndicate room 3. A magnificent organisation and tireless campaigner against the growing tide of racism xenophobia and anti immigrant feeling.

Angela Rayner new Shadow Minister for Pensions

Congratulations to Angela Rayner MP for Ashton-under-Lyne who has been appointed as Shadow Minister for Pensions.

Angie is a former home care worker and UNISON branch secretary.

It is fantastic that we have a shadow pension minister who knows first hand how important decent pensions are for working people. 

I warn the financial services industry that she will not stand any of their nonsense.

I have met up with Angie, her husband Mark (UNISON pension rep) and their lovely children at various UNISON conferences over the years.

Angela was featured in a Guardian article a couple of years ago and I posted at the time that  "Angela typifies the very best of UNISON and how it can grow its activists".

UNISON Labour Link 2015: Day 2 - meet the "Newbie" MPs

Day 2 of the National UNISON Labour Link Forum in Manchester started this morning with a "Parliamentary Panel" of MPs and  MEPS (see picture). It was inspiring to see 3 new MPs who come from our movement sitting for the first time alongside longer serving panel members. Former UNISON NEC member, Dave Anderson MP, spoke first about the risk to the union from indiscipline and how we must remain loyal and united to fight off Tory attacks on the union and the cuts.

Next was the first "Newbie" MP (as she described herself) former UNISON branch secretary and regional convener, Angela Rayner MP.  Angela described her first few weeks in Parliament as getting "constantly lost" and grappling with the often arcane practices and procedures. Especially when it comes to what she can and cannot say about her political opponents during debates. In her first speech to the House of Commons she spoke about her life experiences as a single Mum at age 16 and working as a home carer.

In a question from the floor about the proposed new trade treaty with Europe and America (TTIP) MEP Jude Kirton-Darling, promised to oppose it if it threatens any form of public services.

2nd Newbie was former UNISON regional officer, Melanie Onn MP, who told us about her joy at winning her seat (and defeating UKIP) and her sadness about resigning as a union official since she worries about her members, especially those facing the Tory cuts onslaught. She recalled how she was nervous about her first speech to the Commons  but she had carefully prepared a short timed speech only to be told immediately beforehand by the Whips that she had to pad it out to 20 minutes!

Not a newbie but always good to see and hear was Lilian Greenwood MP who told us how awful opposition is and how we need to go and speak and listen to the general public before we decide what to do next. We cannot just say to them that we were right and you were wrong.

Final "Newbie" was Daniel Zeichner who is a new MP but has worked for UNISON Labour Link for many years and has helped run this National Forum. Daniel thought we had 3 things to do. First, defend public services. Second, defend the union since the Tories are coming for us. Thirdly, we had to build an alternative political narrative for the public. He also described how unpleasant it was to be sitting for 7 hours a day in front of 350 Tories.

Final speaker was MEP Theresa Griffin, who defeated BNP leader Nick Griffin last year. She put down one reason for her success was ordinary UNISON members passing messages to other UNISON members.

After the panel we had a discussion and vote on the UNION Labour Link annual report followed by motions. First debate was on Local Government Finance. The mover brought alongside a jar of pickles to compare the value of former Minister Eric. There were other motions on Employment tribunals; engagement of young people; encouraging Black Labour Link officers; BME representation and equalities. Husband of Angela, Mark Rayner gave a passionate speech about the importance of doing every things we can to get more unison candidates to stand as Labour candidates in 2020. There was also motions on TTIP, "Fit to Work" Scheme, affordable housing and Union busting by UK Public Service providers and final one on human rights.

Chair Eleanor Smith closed the conference by hoping at next year's Forum following successful results in the elections in London, Scotland and local councils we will be in better spirits than this year.  

UKIP...Some Clowns aren't funny.

Hat tip Mr Rayner.

Don't be USED by UKIP

The video of UKIP leader, former stock market trader, Nigel Farage, telling supporters in 2012 that our NHS should be privatised and replaced with an USA insurance scheme is very telling.

Farage was filmed saying “I think we are going to have to move to an insurance-based system of health care. Frankly, I would feel more comfortable that my money would return value if I was able to do that through the marketplace of an insurance company than just us trustingly giving £100bn a year to central government and expecting them to organise the health care service from cradle to grave for us.”

If you value a free at point of need NHS then do not support UKIP and treat their disclaimers that they are not a racist party with the same large handful of salt.

Hat tip Caption to Mark Rayner.

Angela Rayner selected as the Labour Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Ashton-Under-Lyne

I am really, really chuffed to hear that Angie was selected as the PPC for Ashton-Under-Lyne today.

She is a home care worker and the Stockport UNISON branch secretary (and Regional Convenor) and will make a fantastic MP.

This is great news not only for the people of Ashton-Under-Lyne but also that the Labour Party is selecting working class rank and file trade unionists for safe Labour seats.

I have met up with Angie, her husband Mark (UNISON LGPS rep) and their lovely children at various UNISON conferences over the years.

She was featured in a Guardian article a couple of years ago and I posted at the time that  "Angela typifies the very best of UNISON and how it can grow its activists".

"Bloody Poles, coming over here, protecting our women and children"

Least we forget the many Polish fighters who were killed, burnt, disfigured and injured defending our country in our hour of need. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._303_Polish_Fighter_Squadron.

Remembering as always, a good friend of mine and UNISON comrade, the son of Polish fighter who fought in the British Army for our freedom against fascism and who was one of many who later settled in East London. RIP George (Jerzy).

Hat tip Mark Rayner and Hope Not Hate.

UKIP: More Tory, than the Tories

I find it is amazing that people don't "get" that UKIP is such a right wing Ultra Tory Party.

Check out their millionaire Banker leader comments on "Working Mothers Worth Less Than Men"

hat tip picture Mr Rayner

SWP Conference Shibboleth Bingo: Saturday Sectarian

Hat tip to Mark for this copy of the Bingo card from the toy town misogynist brain washed cult also known as SWP.

#Lab13 Fire fighters strike over pensions

 

Outside the conference hall at lunchtime there were striking fire fighters handing out leaflets explaining why they are going on strike this afternoon over pensions. The fire service is planning to raise retirement ages and contributions. It is of course completely ludicrous to expect such emergency workers to work until they are 60. Picture of UNISON Stockport Branch chair Mark Rayner showing support and sharing a joke at the picket line at King Street station. I am now sitting next to his wife Angela during Ed Miliband's Q&A.   

Happy 96th Birthday Denis Healey

Today is the birthday of former Labour Government Chancellor and Deputy Party leader Denis Healey.

This famous picture of Denis is entitled by the BBC as "Denis Healey in a defiant mood". 

Hat tip Comrade Rayner.

During the second world war he was the British Landing officer for the amphibious assault at Anzio.

Burma Campaign – Committee for Workers Capital

The only session I managed to attend at this year's meeting of International Union Pension trustees (last week), was the opening introductions and then the discussion over Burma.

The meeting was chaired by John Maitland, from the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Rob Lake, head of sustainability at the Dutch pension group APG and Jo Allen, head of SRI engagement and responsible investment for CIS (Co-op) gave a hard headed presentation on investment in Burma.

They both basically argued that you still needed to pursue engagement policies with companies such as Total who trade with Burma. On balance they do more good than harm by being there and if they were to go, they would be replaced with companies who will not challenge the regime at all and would make things worse for their workers. Surprisingly this view was somewhat supported by black South African delegates present, in light of their experiences during the battle against Apartheid. Unsurprisingly, French delegates also supported Total and said more time should be given for engagement.

An American colleague made it clear that this was a trade union meeting of trustees and the international trade union movement had made it clear that they support disinvestment. We should show solidarity with the Burmese democratically elected government (now repressed by the military junta) and the exiled trade union movement who call for such action.

I suggested that the time for engagement was now over. Engagement had been going on for decades and that it had not worked. At some point you have to disinvest otherwise you run the risk of undermining the argument for engagement. This is the exception that proves the rule. Of course, arguing for disinvestment in a particular country due to its regime is different than arguing for disinvestment in a particular company. You still have to have pretty good evidence that the investment is likely to backfire and damage the pension fund to satisfy the fiduciary rules.

However, I think on balance that in Burma you can argue this. The worse news was that a brand new off shore gas field and pipe line is being considered. South Korean companies are thought to be involved. If built this would not only generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the military regime in taxes, kick backs etc but also would involve forced labour and driving Burmese people off their land as happened in previous pip eland construction projects.

It was a pity I missed the meeting the following day with the Burmese Campaign UK.

Also present was top UNISON rep Mark Rayner, who is a member nominated representative on the Greater Manchester LGPS with Donald McDonald who is a BT pension trustee and Chair of the UN PRI (United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment). Mark promised me to make a guest post on what happened during the rest of the meeting.

This is what the UNISON website says about Burma investments

Your pension fund can help the Burmese people

(06/12/07) Do you contribute to your employer's pension fund? If you do then you will be able to take part in a global campaign to help the Burmese people achieve democracy.

Your pension fund may have shares in companies that trade with the military dictatorship. The Burmese trade unions want you to tell your fund trustees or reps to stop investing in companies that trade with Burma.

UNISON is supporting a call for trade union members across the world to get involved. And this is how you can do it.

Write or send an email to your pension fund administrator - go to your employer's web site to find out who this is or ask your UNISON branch if they know.You should ask your pension fund board of trustees or pension committee to request that they or your investment managers report to you on:

what shares the fund holds in companies with ties to Burma

their assessment of the financial, legal and political risks this may pose to your savings and the reputation of the fund

their strategy for addressing such risks

Remember, your pension fund is your savings. You have a right to know how this money is invested, and a right to ask if investing in companies that make money from a military dictatorship is putting your savings at risk.

Since 2000, the international trade union movement has called on all companies with business links in Burma to sever those links and withdraw from the country.

In October 2007, the International Trade Union Confederation asked its affiliated organisations to engage in a shareholders' campaign which may include disinvestment from companies linked with Burma.

This position supports that of Burma's democratically-elected ruler, Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as the Federation of Trade Unions-Burma, which operates clandestinely inside and outside the country.

Foreign companies play a pivotal role in maintaining a steady flow of capital to the military dictatorship, and by extension, in upholding the country's brutal regime.Military rule and repression has led to massive and systematic violations of human and workers' rights.

In particular, the military regime oppresses and exploits its population through the widespread use of forced and compulsory labour.