Trade Union Congress 2024: Wednesday

Last day of TUC 2024 in Brighton. For once it was bright and sunny! Good to hear my UNISON branch colleague (the shy and retiring) Lola Oyewusi, give a confident and clever speech, were she used her mobile phone torch light to make her point. The TUC President, Matt Wrack, afterwards remarked on the "unusual" nature of her speech! 

It was also brilliant, that the Labour Government published that day plans on finally getting rid of "no fault" evictions and "better bus services". 

I signed the petition at the PCS stall on the campaign to reinstate 3 union reps sacked by the Civil Service for their trade union activities. 

At the close of Congress, Matt was given the TUC Gold Badge and a well deserved vote of thanks. I rushed off to the station to try and get back to London in time for a series of online meetings and calls with HR and members. I had to stop off briefly at Gatwick airport to make one online meeting. Never a dull moment. 

Greater London UNISON Housing Association Branch 2021

 

I was really pleased that tonight's virtual AGM went so well. We had over 60 people attending which is far more than we have had in the past attending physical AGMS. Our AGM last year was cancelled at the last moment due to the first Covid lockdown. In 2019 our AGM was held in the House of Commons! 

Many thanks to our excellent keynote speaker, Sem Moema, a UNISON member who has worked in Housing Associations for many years and is now the Labour candidate in the London GLA elections in May for Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest. 

As the branch Labour Link officer (I was pleased to be elected unopposed at the AGM) I gave a report encouraging members to get active in the London Mayoral & GLA election by taking part in phone banks or delivering leaflets. I will be circulating Labour Unions events on branch social media. But also we want more of our  branch members to become more active in the Labour Party bringing our trade union values into the Party by becoming Councillors or delegates. 

I asked our branch activist Omolola Oyewusi to say a few words about her campaign to become the first ever black Police Crime Commissioner in May. Omolola is standing in Kent and would welcome any funding or assistance. 

The AGM also had reports from the Chair, Treasurer, Communications officer, branch case workers, regional organisers and then discussed nominations to vacant committee posts. I moved a rule change motion on organising UNISON committee structures in all our large employers which was passed. 

It was really nice to see the positive comments in the "chat box" from members who had never attended a union meeting beforehand but thanked our staff, regional organisers and local reps for all their help and support during these recent dreadful times.