The King's Speech Presents: A New Deal for Working People

 

Hi John, The King has just made a huge announcement at the State Opening of Parliament – this Government will be writing the New Deal for Working People into law, in full, in an Employment Rights Bill. This is a historic milestone for our movement, we wouldn’t have come this far without your support. But let’s not kid ourselves - bad bosses are coordinating attacks on the New Deal in the press and across the media. They’re determined to undermine and unpick it, so they have free rein to carry on driving down pay and conditions. We’ve come too far to let that happen. Add your name to celebrate the New Deal and show your support: https://labourunions.org.uk/supportnewdeal/   (5) Video | Facebook   But it’s not just the New Deal that the King announced today. New laws will kickstart Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan, creating 650,000 good jobs across the country, and the Government will set up GB Energy, a new state-owned energy company. The Government will publish an Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, enshrining in law the right to equal pay for disabled people and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and implementing the New Deal commitments to mandatory disability and ethnicity pay gap reporting. There are new measures to turbocharge housebuilding and deliver more affordable housing, and a Renters’ Rights Bill to protect renters, including ending no-fault evictions. And there will be a Railways Bill to finally, after years of campaigning, bring our railways back into public hands. After 14 years of Tory chaos we’re seeing a return to Government acting in the interests of working people and their families. There’s so much to do to get our country back on its feet, and this King’s Speech shows this Government is hitting the ground running. Imagine a future where fair pay, job security, better work-life balance, and stronger rights are the norm, not the exception. We’re nearly there. This is our chance to make history and build a society that truly values working people. Let’s continue to celebrate it and fight for it: https://labourunions.org.uk/supportnewdeal/ Helen Pearce, Director, Labour Unions   Reproduced from an electronic communication sent by Helen Pearce on behalf of National TULO, 20 Rushworth Street, London SE1 0SS.

Reminder: Labour Unions telephone bank in Central London Monday 10 June 6-8p

Dear John, With less than 27 days until the General Election, the buzz out there on the campaign trail is electric—but it's your energy out on the streets that's really driving us forward. We’re so close to making the New Deal for Working People a reality, lets stick to the plan and bring it home. LIVE OR WORK IN LONDON? Join activists for a lively evening at our phone bank on Monday, 10 June from 6-8 PM. RSVP here: labourunions.org.uk/phonebank. SPREAD THE WORD: Whether you're sharing our message online or chatting with neighbours, your voice matters. You know why a Labour government is the change we need—so tell your story and inspire others to join us and vote Labour. Find an event near you: https://labourunions.org.uk/events.  The New Deal for Working People takes centre stage in this General Election - Angela is even taking it across the country on her Battle Bus. It's a game changer, but it only happens if we win.   Meg Hillier, Primesh Patel, Dawn Butler, Gareth Thomas, and Barry Gardiner on board the Angela Rayner Battle bus.    Every conversation you start, every leaflet you hand out, and every post you share builds our momentum. This campaign thrives on the passion and dedication of supporters like you. Whether you’re a seasoned campaigner or this is your first election, your participation is what will help tip the scales.                                  Do you want to wake up to more of the same under the Tories after polling day, or to change with Labour and a New Deal for Working People? Let’s not just watch history unfold—let’s write it together. Get stuck in, speak up, and help get rid of this rotten Tory government on polling day, 4 July.   Solidarity,  Helen Pearce, Director, Labour Unions  Robbie Scott, Campaigns and Political Officer, Labour Unions   Reproduced from an electronic communication sent by Helen Pearce on behalf of National TULO, 20 Rushworth Street, London SE1 0SS.

Rachel Reeves Explains Labour's New Deal For Working People

Hat tip TUC. Good stuff!

UNISON Labour Link Officer report: GLR Housing Associations branch AGM 2024

Tomorrow is my UNISON branch AGM and I have submitted (late) my written report below as the branch Labour Link officer. I will also make a verbal report at the AGM and take any questions. 

""Labour Link" is part of UNISON and it is a political fund that supports the Labour Party which all members can choose to support. It also campaigns and lobbies the Labour Party to adopt UNISON policies. Trade unions helped form the Labour Party and we are all part of a wider "Labour movement family". 

 There are around 1000 members of our branch who are members of the UNISON Labour Link and many are also members of the Labour Party. Our branch Labour Link members are delegates to local Labour Parties, they campaign on behalf of the Party and attend conferences and other events. Labour Link also holds training sessions for members interested in becoming Councillors or even MPs.

In the last year, we have organised Labour Link members to go and support Labour Party candidates in the recent successful Parliamentary by elections. We have also started campaigning for the Labour Party in the forthcoming General and London Mayoral elections. 

In particular we are explaining to members and voters about the importance of the Labour Party's "New Deal for Working People", which if they are elected will result in employment rights against unfair dismissal from day one, a real "living wage" for all and introduction of fair pay agreements, the banning of zero hour contacts and of fire & rehire (and many, many other worker friendly policies).

The next major elections will be on 2 May 2024. UNISON member Sadiq Khan is restanding as London Mayor, while many other UNISON members are candidates in London Assembly seats and in council elections outside London. Please contact me if you wish to join our Labour Link campaign teams (either in person, talking to voters, leafleting or telephone phone banks).

It is very important that Labour has a good result on May 2 since this could even result in the Conservatives calling a general election sooner rather than later and we can start to rebuild our nation with progressive policies such as "New Deal".

John Gray
Branch Labour Link Officer

(Picture of Labour Deputy Leader (and former UNISON activist) Angela Rayner MP speaking about "New Deal" at recent Community conference attended by branch delegates).

UNISON London Labour Link Regional Forum 2024 - Vote Sadiq Khan & Labour in May

 

Brilliant picture of delegates to our 2024 regional forum, who are supporting the Labour Party "New Deal for Working People" campaign promise.

This was a hybrid meeting held in the National UNISON centre. 

Speakers included the UNISON London Regional Secretary, Jo Galloway; Current Assembly members Len Duvall & Sem Moema; Eddie from Labour Unions on New Deal; Mark Ferguson, our Labour Link national secretary. 

We also had contributions from new London Assembly Candidates, Marcela Benedetti & James Beckles. 

The forthcoming GLA and UNISON Member, Sadiq Khan, Mayoral elections in May, was our number one topic. 

We must not be complacent about apparent poll leads. The Tories have bent the rules to favour their appalling uber right wing candidate. They have doubled election expenses for candidates, banned proportional voting and imposed voter ID requirements on the million London voters who have none. 

Expect loads of Tory fibs and dog whistle politics in the next 42 days.

Labour Unions Campaign Weekend on New Deal for Working People: Cities of London & Westminster

 

Yesterday UNISON activists (and national officials) joined Parliamentary candidate, Rachel Blake and supporters to canvass for Labour and also promote the Party policy on the "New Deal for Working People". Which to my mind is probably the most exciting policy so far that a Labour Government will commit to if we win the next general election. 

See further details here but giving working people legal rights from day one of employment, getting rid of fire and rehire, sectorial pay bargaining as well as ending compulsory zero hour contracts is going to make a huge positive difference to so many workers and their families.

I have know Rachel for a number of years (and worked with her in the Labour Housing Group) and she will make a great MP. 

The canvass went well but it was difficult to speak to people since there was many private flats that we could not get into and many properties appeared to be unoccupied. However, I spoke to one resident who was voting Labour for the first time ("90% likely") and wanted to get rid of this current government as soon as is possible. 

The many "London Mews" we visited were amazing but I hate to think how much they would cost to live in. Despite the obvious wealth in  this part of Westminster there is huge poverty and deprivation in other areas. More reasons why we need a Labour Government. 

Labour Unions Christmas Shop

I have just ordered a "Labour New Deal for Working People" mug for Christmas. Check out other gifts https://labourunions-shop.org.uk/

 "Dear John,

With Christmas almost upon us, a reminder that our Labour Unions Campaign Shop carries a range of gifts for the trade unionist in your life.

Whether they’d prefer to drink their coffee out of a New Deal for Working People mug, or if they’d rather their tea to declare Never Cross a Picket Line, we’ve got you covered.

Or perhaps one of our New Deal posters will hit the spot.

Head over to our Labour Unions shop for all the solidarity stocking fillers you might need.

labourunions.org.uk/campaignshop

Yours in festive solidarity,

Helen and Robbie"