"On the knocker" for Labour and the NHS in Canning Town (and elsewhere)

When Councillor Terry Paul (aka "Red Tel") promised on Facebook "sunshine" for this morning's Canning Town campaign session perhaps we should have looked out of the window first!

A very cold and at times snowy Labour doorstep this morning in Canning Town and Green Street West. It was what we call a "street surgery", calling at homes with a local Councillor asking residents if they have any problems or issues with Newham Council that they wish to discuss with us.

We had very positive results which could mean everything is perfect in Newham or that residents wanted to close the door to keep the heat in as soon as possible.

Last weekend and during the week West Ham Labour activists were in Stoke-on-Trent to campaign in the Parliamentary by election supporting Labour candidate (and UNISON trade unionist) Gareth Snell. 

UNISON Council workers to vote on strike action over pay

Hat tip Stoke on Trent UNISON "Your employer has offered you a 1% pay rise if you earn £7.71 an hour or more. If your hourly rate is £6.45 – £7.26 you have been offered slightly more than 1% to keep levels just above the National Minimum Wage.

This offer applies to more than one million workers.

Unison doesn’t think this pay offer is anywhere near enough – it doesn’t keep pace with price increases and will have a negative impact on your pension. Unison is therefore now in the process of balloting members over industrial action.

The ballot opened on 23 May and closes on 23 June.  If your area is covered by NJC Green Book Terms & Conditions and you have not received a ballot paper by 29 May 2014, you can request one online at unison.org.uk/my-unison/welcome or by calling 0800 0857 857. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 6 am until midnight and 9am-4pm on Saturdays.  The ballot helpline closes as 12 noon on 18 June 2014 and this will be the last opportunity to request a paper.

If members give the green light for strike action,  it is hoped the planned strike on 10 July will make the employers see sense and start negotiating seriously.

Questions About The Ballot and Industrial Action?

Unison has produced the answers to forty frequently asked questions.  Download this crucially important information now – Members FAQs NJC Pay 2014 Industrial Action Ballot
Subjects covered include:

• What’s happening, what does it mean – why are we striking?
• I want to strike but I’m worried about……
• Why should I strike when…….
• About The Ballot