UNISON NEC Elections 2017: Greater London candidates

It would be great to have a care worker and two nurses representing London alongside Irene on the NEC.

As well as regional NEC reps London members can also vote for all National seats and for their own Service Group.

National (vote for all)

Black Members

Kebba MANNEH Male Seat

Elizabeth CAMERON Female Seat

Manjula KUMARI Female Seat

Young Members

Andrew ANDERSON General Seat

Disabled Members

Angela HAMILTON General Seat

Kim SILVER Female Seat

Service Group (you will belong to one of these depending on your job)

Community

Denise CHARLES Female Seat

Healthcare

James ANTHONY General Seat

Gordon McKAY Male Seat

Sinead LIDDY Female Seat

Jenny FORBES Female Seat

Higher Education

Dan BEARD General Seat

Liz BAPTISTE Female Seat

Local Government

Janet McKENNA General Seat

Peter CREWS Male Seat

Wendy NICHOLS Female Seat

Lynn POULTON Female Seat

UNISON NEC Elections 2015: London Calling

If you have not received your ballot papers by (14 April) you should ring 0800 0857 857. Lines open 6am to midnight, Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm on Saturday. Ballot closes 15 May.

Check out other national, regional and Black Members recommendations at UNISON NEC 2015 andFacebook 

Vote for London Health Candidates: UNISON NEC elections 2015

London Ambulance Service member, Eric Roberts, and Lewisham hospital nurse, Mike Davey, are standing as London health candidates on behalf of the forces of light and reason against the evil ones. 

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 Link Election for Delegates to National Labour Link Forum 2013

Election statement for ANDERSON, Jason; DAVEY and SLATER, Jonathon.

"We are all seeking election to represent the views of APF payers in the London Region at the National Labour Link Forum.

We support the link we have with the Labour Party, Labour in Government has delivered real improvements for our members, but, now we are in opposition we need to make sure that we influence the internal review and national rethink of policies that the Party is carrying out.

To defeat this ConDem Tory Government in 2015 (or preferably long beforehand) we need to appeal to our core Labour vote. We therefore need to champion trade union issues and move our members concerns up the Party political agenda, using our influence to promote a manifesto that includes:

• Reinvestment in public services

• Increase public sector pay and keep defending our pensions

• Access to fair and affordable housing for public sector employees and their families

• A fairer taxation system

• Government policies that promote growth and jobs.

You want delegates who will be listened to and not be afraid to argue for change within the Labour Party but who also realise that the only alternative to making the Party electable is another dose of Clegg and Cameron.

It is vital that we ensure that Labour Link becomes more visible within the union. We need to encourage APF members to join local Labour Constituency Parties and be elected to positions of responsibility in order to further the progressive agenda.

Next year in London the Labour Party will fighting local Council and European elections. We must unite around the Party and work to bring down this ConDem Government".

Sanchia, Lynn, Grace, Gloria and Kim were elected unopposed as female delegates. Vote also for John Gray as the General Seat delegate to Labour Party Conference.

Save Lewisham Hospital A&E...Saved???

"Confusion' over Lewisham A&E future" (Steve Ford - Nursing times 31.1.13)

Accident and emergency services will remain at Lewisham Hospital but on a “smaller” scale than at present, the health secretary has announced. However, the neighbouring South London Healthcare Trust is to be broken up. The financially challenged trust is to be dissolved by October 2013 to address the risk it carries for ongoing patient care and the pressure it is placing on other parts of the NHS, Jeremy Hunt said today.

Meanwhile, following advice from NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh, Mr Hunt said he had decided that Lewisham Healthcare Trust would retain its A&E – though on a smaller scale than at present. South London was the first trust to be subject to the new NHS failure regime for organisations viewed as financially unsustainable.

Currently, the trust is losing more than £1m every week and by the end of this year, is expected to have an accumulated debt of more than £200m. Matthew Kershaw, former Department of Health head of provider delivery, was appointed as a special administrator last July to look into the future of the trust and its surrounding health economy. He published his final recommendations earlier this month, advising the government that South London should be broken up, but also that Lewisham’s A&E should be downgraded to an urgent care centre.

The threat to Lewisham’s A&E services sparked widespread protests from the public and NHS staff, culminating in a rally on Saturday. Mr Hunt announced today he had chosen to broadly accept the majority of Mr Kershaw’s recommendations. South London Healthcare Trust will be dissolved, with each of its hospitals – Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, Queen Mary’s in Sidcup and the Princess Royal in Bromley – taken over by a neighbouring hospital trust.

Mr Hunt said he understood the financial rationale for downgrading Lewisham A&E, but “in the interests of local patients” had imposed some additional clinical safeguards proposed by Sir Bruce Keogh. As a result, Lewisham Hospital will retain its ability to admit patients with less serious conditions, and will continue to have 24/7 senior medical emergency cover – allowing it to remain open as a working A&E department treating up to 75% of the patients who currently use it.

Patients with much more serious conditions or higher risk pregnancies will be taken to Kings, Queen Elizabeth, Bromley or St Thomas’ because they are more likely to have a better result. Mr Hunt said: “The longstanding problems at South London Healthcare NHS Trust must not be allowed to compromise patient care in the future. Hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent on paying for debt rather than improving patient care for the local community in South East London. “What is in the clinical interests of patients in South East London has been at the heart of my decision making process, and as a result I have followed clinical advice to keep open the A&E in Lewisham.”

Sir Bruce added: “Healthcare in South East London is at a turning point. We need to strike the right balance between ensuring that all patients have access to the best possible specialist treatment whilst providing safe, effective and convenient services close to home . “I expect that balance to result in about three quarters of patients currently seen in Lewisham A&E continuing to receive complete care at Lewisham Hospital and about a quarter being transferred for more specialist treatment elsewhere.”

But Mike Davey, a nurse and Lewisham Unison branch secretary, said: “The [health] secretary needs to urgently clarify what is meant by a smaller A&E, as the London Ambulance Service will be reluctant to bring patients to an A&E that does not offer a full range of A&E services. “Is this proposal just an urgent care centre or a fully fledged and supported A&E Department,” he said. “The secretary of state has caused more confusion and the whole process is a shambles.” NHS

Confederation chief executive Mike Farrar said: “We need to learn the lessons from this case and others. The answer is to start discussions earlier, with doctors and leaders clearly explaining the case for change. “Otherwise we will find ourselves perpetually in a situation of trench warfare, with staff, politicians and patients all coming out in opposition on the streets.”

Save Lewisham A&E March (26 Jan 13)

Conroy Lawrence, Lewisham Hospital UNISON Assistant Branch Secretary (and Hospital electrician) seen in picture top left with UNISON Assistant General Secretary Bronwyn McKenna. Conroy said.

"This has been a historic demonstration with of over 25,000, representing a total cross section of our community, surely this cannot be ignored by this Government, a Government who stated in their manifesto they would ensure "no forced closure of A&E Departments"

 "On behalf of Lewisham Hospital staff we would like to thank those that turnout to support us from the bottom of our hearts and we pledge ourselves to continue to fight this undemocratic and dangerous attempt to close Lewisham A&E Department for as long as it should take"

UNISON Lewisham Hospital nurse and branch secretary Mike Davy stated "If they can get away with closing Lewisham Hospital A&E, not because it is "failing", not on "clinical grounds" but to bail out a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal in another hospital, they can effectively close any A&E department in the country"

 "David Cameron once threatened a bare knuckle fight over Hospital A&E closures, but where is he now ?".

Save Lewisham Hospital Protest March! Today 12 noon start!

BIG MARCH EXPECTED IN PROTEST AT LEWISHAM A&E CLOSURE
 
"UNISON the UK’s largest union, is calling on the public to join a march this Saturday (26 Jan), to show their support for Lewisham Hospital’s A & E Department.

Lewisham’s A & E facility is pencilled in for closure as a result of a massive over spend in nearby South London Healthcare Trust's hospitals.

The closure plan is in spite of pre-election pledges by the Conservatives to “stop all forced hospital A&E departments”.

The union is expecting a massive turn-out, with local team Millwall FC postponing a match kick-off to accommodate expected attendance.

The march will take place on:
Saturday 26 January From Lewisham Train station
Starting at 12.00pm

UNISON Nursing Officer, Michael Walker said:

“We are urging local people to come out on Saturday and show their support for this much-valued A & E Department. Everyone has a stake in this protest and we’re expecting a massive attendance with placards from every section of Lewisham including churches, pensioner groups, schools, nurseries and workplaces”.

Conroy Lawrence, UNISON representative at the hospital:

“We would urge the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, to watch the events on Saturday in Lewisham closely, to listen to what the people of Lewisham are saying, and to study the detailed opposition to the closure proposals put forward by all sections of the medical and nursing profession”.

Mike Davey, UNISON Branch Secretary states:

“It is a credit to hospital staff that they are working as normal providing a professional service despite the threat to this hospital. NHS Administrator Mr Kershaw has ignored the 90% of respondents to the consultation on the hospitals future but Jeremy Hunt should not ignore the deep concerns of the medical and nursing professions and from the public”.

Michael Walker, UNISON Nursing Officer:

“Lewisham hospital is currently taking on extra patients from hospitals including Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Woolwich) and Princess Royal University Hospital (Farnborough) such is the pressure on acute services in South London. There is no way that this closure will not have a devastating impact on local people.”

UNISON has received reports that patients from nearby A&E departments are already experiencing long delays and patients are being diverted to Lewisham Hospital.

These closures are driven not on clinical grounds but on massive reductions in NHS funding, exacerbated by the disastrous Private Finance Initiative which has bankrupted so many hospitals".

Save Lewisham A&E March this Saturday 26 January

"UNISON expresses bitter disappointment that TSA Matthew Kershaw has chosen to ignore the unprecedented response to the recent consultation exercise in respect of his health proposals across Lewisham and the South London Healthcare Trust.

In doing so he disregards a number of compelling clinical arguments in favour of the retention of emergency and maternity services on the Lewisham site.

Whilst the political arguments are taken to the heart of government by our local Labour Party MPs, and the Secretary of State deliberates on the final decision, UNISON is urging all of its members to join in the march and rally on Saturday 26th January.

Come and march with your local UNISON branch and join with UNISON colleagues from across South London in demonstrating against the proposed down grading of our local emergency and maternity services.

The march will pass by the hospital and terminate in Mountsfield Park around 14.00, with live music and various speakers, including UNISON Greater London Deputy Regional Convenor (and Lewisham's very own) Conroy Lawrence.

Assemble under the UNISON Greater London Regional banner on the roundabout by Lewisham Station from 12.00 on Saturday 26th January.

In the meanwhile UNISON will be making a further submission to the Secretary of State drawing attention to the powerful arguments made in our consultation response previously submitted to Matthew Kershaw.

As others have already commented, we need to maximise turnout at this march and rally in order deliver a resounding statement to the Secretary of State before he makes his final decision.

Please make every effort to support this event and I look forward to joining with you all on the 26th".

Mike Davey
Lewisham Hospital Branch Secretary

Lab12: North & WSPA Fringes

Still catching up from Labour Party Conference. The North Fringe on Monday evening reminded me of a proper traditional Labour Party event. Before Ed came to speak there was an auction and raffle. I didn't win anything, not even the GMB branded Whiskey!

It was also the only event I went to during conference that served bottles of Brown Ale. 

Harriet Harman firstly thanked the region for its massive support for the Labour Party. When Ed came he told us that this was his 10th fringe of the night.
He also said how much he enjoyed the Durham Miners Gala and would return next year. 21 years was too long (since last Labour leader attended). He pledged to build new houses and get young people into work when the next Labour Government is elected.

Next was the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) Fringe. They had the World's only Parliamentary band MP4 playing. I must admit that I thought they were very good and didn't realise that they were amaters. Hope they are members of the MU!  There was a number of MP's boogying on down including John Healey, Mike Gapes and Caroline Flint. There were others who declined the spotlight.

Top picture is of my fellow Gog (north walian) John Prescott with UNISON Local organiser Joel Bodmer and UNISON SGE member Mike Davy. Afterwards we went to the Midland Hotel bar to yet again put the world to rights.

London UNISON SGE Elections: Forces of light and reason

This is of course strictly in my personal capacity only. But while I don't know all the candidates standing in this year's London UNISON Service Group Election elections. The following are not loony left "lets all go on strike to bring about the revolution".

So if I had the choice I would support:-

Local Government
Doris Sutton - Female Seat   
Laurie Pocock – General Seat
Irene Stacey - Reserved Low Paid Seat                   

Health
Eddyna Danso - Female Seat 
Mike Davey - General Seat
Lynn Burbidge – Reserved Low Paid Seat           

Higher Education
Elizabeth Baptiste - Female Seat     
Gwyn Jones - General Seat   

Community
Joel Bodmer - General Seat           

I'll try and find out who are the similar forces of light and reason candidates standing elsewhere outside London.

UNISON Labour Link (APF) London Regional elections 2012



Dear Colleagues

Strictly in my personal capacity I would request that you consider supporting the following candidates in these elections. Please pass on to any other branches you think may support us.

REGIONAL LABOUR LINK COMMITTEE Male Seats 5 votes (blue paper)
ANDERSON, Jason

BODMER, Joel

DAVEY, Mike

GRAY, John

GRIFFITHS, ALAN


NATIONAL LABOUR LINK FORUM Male seats 3 Votes (yellow paper)
ANDERSON, Jason

DAVEY, Mike

GRIFFITHS, ALAN


NATIONAL LABOUR LINK FORUM Female Seats 5 Votes (pink paper)
ALASHIA, Sanchia

BENTLEY, Lynn

DAVIES, Doreen

HANSON, Gloria

SILVER, Kim


LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 2012 General Seat 1 Vote (pink paper)

DAVEY, Mike

Many thanks please give me a ring if you have any queries. Ballot papers have to be back to Cally Thompson at Regional office by 12 noon Friday 16 March 2011. You can fax by 020 7535 2105.

Don't forget to sign up for London Labour Link forum by this Thursday 1 March (the Forum takes place the following Tuesday 6 March 4.30-6pm at the new UNISON centre). Later that day 6-8pm at the Centre there is a launch event on a campaign pack for Ken Livingston and the GLA candidates. Ken will be there to say a few words. This invite is for all activists.

John Gray

Ken Livingston supporting NHS pensions at UNISON London Health Service conference

Picture is from last weeks London UNISON Health Training Conference in Congress House. Labour London Mayor Candidate Ken Livingstone (double click picture to bring up detail) was one of the speakers. I missed seeing

Ken speak but the feed back from those who did was very positive. This regional health training conference has grown in size every year. There were a number of other speakers and expert panels. Including a guest from the RCN.

Protecting NHS (and other public sector workers) Pensions was obviously a key issue. UNISON Head of Pensions , Glyn Jenkins gave a detailed presentation on what is at stake. While former Bromley branch secretary turned regional officer, Micky Crouch, gave a humorous and well received talk on the vital importance of recruitment. BTW It was of course good for all of us to see the London Health SGE member, NHS nurse Mike Davey, (see picture bottom right) being his usual bright, cheerful (and awake) self at this event. 

UNISON NDC 2011: Guardian Focus Podcast "Unions Strike back".

This Guardian audio podcast was posted yesterday here.  The first 10 minutes were recorded on Tuesday morning at UNISON conference.

First they interviewed Karen Jennings (Head of UNISON Health), then me (Head of ums and uhs), Anne McCormack (Further Education), Monica Hirst (London Nurse), Mike Davey (London Nurse) and James Anthony (Birmingham nurse).

I think that (apart from me naturally) they gave a very good account of themselves and the reasons why UNISON members will go out on strike, if necessary, to defend their pensions.  They made calm but committed, articulate, logical and proportionate arguments.  No shouting, ranting or unintelligible sloganising.

This is the sort of modern, thoughtful trade unionism that will help win this dispute (...and drive the Tory tabloid gutter press bonkers with frustration).

...the streets, targeted protest and the ballot box

Last week there was UNISON London Regional Committee in Kings Cross. Regional Convenor Gloria Hanson was Chair.

This was the usual business meeting – minutes, recruitment, motions, training, updates, Regional Council, future meetings, reports, (I gave the London finance report) etc.

There was also an important debate on the trade union response to the Coalition Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). Regional Secretary, Linda Perks, gave a fact filled presentation on the horrors facing London, what has been done so far to oppose and some ideas for the future.

What followed was actually a wide ranging, at times robust but largely constructive debate about how to respond - without any of the normal overt sectarian bitterness and rancour that usually mark these meetings.

The first response was that the violence at last week’s Students demo by a tiny number of protesters “was really great” and “inspiring” – in fact “the answer is on the streets”. Not in official TUC rally’s in Congress House or lobbying. We must bring down this government by mass protests and marches. Remember how the poll tax riot brought down Thatcher. However, we do want to build alliances and work with Councillors and the Labour Party.

My contribution is that we must recognise that we lost the general election. Despite the hypocrisy of the Lib Dems over tuition fees etc - they did promise “Savage Cuts”. The Tories are just being Tories. My view is that the Coalition is vulnerable and by appealing to one nation Tories and non-orange book Liberals, we may be able to inflict defeats and even bring it down by democratic means before 2015.

But the other view on this is that the Lib Dems know they will be massacred if there is an early election and there is nothing they can do but support the Coalition and hope things do eventually get better.

Meanwhile we have got to build and defend the union. It will be a long fight. To survive we must concentrate on increasing membership, our number of stewards and by being organised. Any action must be targeted and achievable. The horror that we now face reminds me of the old saying that the worse day in any Labour Government is far, far better than the best day in any Tory government. We must work together to resist the Coalition, to try and defeat them but our priority must be to return a Labour Government as soon as possible.

NHS nurse, Labour link activist and London SGE Health member, Mike Davey, gave I thought, the most personal and thoughtful response. He felt listening to some of the “Left” speakers that they must live in a parallel world to the rest of us. In the 1980s he went marching and protesting nearly every weekend and that he is convinced that all that noise and activity never even brought about the end of the Tory government by one day nor did it ever save one job. We are weaker now than even then. To him, all this talk of “bringing down the government via the streets” is just plain hot air.