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. 

UNISON Housing Association AGM - Branch Chair report

 A real shame but understandable that we had to cancel our Branch AGM tonight at London City Hall. Many thanks to Deputy Mayor for Housing, Tom Copley, for offering to be our keynote speaker and to his staff for organising it (also to my local Assembly member Unmesh Desai).

I would also like to thank branch Executive members for all their hard work in organising the AGM.

Below is my report as Branch Chair which I would have presented tonight (and will still be sent out to our members in our annual report)

"Branch Chair report

While the dreadful general election result was the low point of my year as Chair of the branch, it has actually meant that our union is even more important to our members who have faced amongst the very worst cuts in jobs and attacks on their pay, pensions, terms and conditions. 

Care and support members are under threat as some unscrupulous employers deliberately underbid to win contracts then try and do everything they can to destroy pay protections. Many housing management organisations are making large surpluses yet refuse to give their staff decent pay rises.

Winning trade union recognition agreements and greater trade union membership density in our workplaces is absolutely key to saving jobs and improving pay. The more members we have in any employer, the better the deal we will always get for those members. 

To do this we must carry on with the reorganisation and modernisation of our branch to ensure that members and stewards get the very best support and assistance. This is a “bread and butter” issue and we must make sure that the branch, in partnership with the region, delivers for its members.

Due to other commitments I am standing down as Chair but I hope to still remain on the branch executive. 

My high points as Chair was watching and listening (and learning too) to our branch delegates and members speaking in many debates at our UNISON National Conference in June and our Community conference last month. In terms of ideas and vitality the branch is punching above the weight of its 3000 members in a 1.3 million union.

Finally, I would like to thank our directly employed branch workers and UNISON regional staff for their hard work in advising and representing members. But most importantly, I also want to thank our lay activists and shop stewards who are the unsung heroes of our movement and the first line of defence in so many workplaces.

UNISON Housing Associations AGM 2020: Keynote speaker Tom Copley - London Deputy Mayor for Housing

 "The Branch Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday, 19th of March (note change of date) from 6:00pm-8:00pm at London City Hall.

This meeting is open to all members of UNISON Housing Associations Branch. At the meeting Branch Officers will present their reports and field your questions. Elections to the Executive Committee and National Delegate Conference will be held in the hall. We will also debate and decide upon any motions on branch policy submitted by our membership.

Anybody who meets the criteria stated on the nominations and motions form is eligible to submit a motion or to be nominated to any of the Branch positions.

We particularly encourage nominations from Women, BAME, Low Paid, Young, LGBT+ and Disabled members as these groups are under-represented in the current Branch structure.

If you are able to attend, please confirm by sending the information below to AGM.Admin@unisonhablondon.org

1. Full Name
2. Membership Number (if known)
3. Name of Employer

If you wish to bring a guest (who will be able to observe but not vote) please include this in your email.

We have a fantastic venue and keynote speaker on the day. Tom Copley is the newly appointed Deputy Mayor for Housing at City Hall and a long time friend of the branch. 

There is a free social with food and drinks taking place near to City Hall after the AGM. 

Please monitor our website as further information will be published soon.

If you have any queries or questions please get in touch by e-mail to AGM.Admin@unisonhablondon.org". 

My last UNISON branch secretary report to our AGM 2019 (My first AGM as branch chair)

At the UNISON Housing Associations branch AGM on 12 March at House of Commons I stood down as branch secretary after 9 (or 10) years but was elected as Branch Chair. Below is my report to the AGM.

"While it has been another challenging year for members, the branch and UNISON, we are increasing in membership despite austerity and government attacks. The branch membership is stabilising and “Community” (UNISON members who work for Housing Associations and Voluntary sector) is the fastest growing part of the union, which is now the largest trade union in the UK.

The branch is not just about pay, casework and representation if you get into a row at work or become sick, but we are also about campaigning for change. For example, we helped with the launch of the UNISON “Violence at Work Charter for the third sector” and our activists have shown solidarity by attending demonstrations, such as, the TUC march and rally in May and supporting numerous other lobbies, protests and industrial action.

Many thanks to our staff and Regional officials, for the hard work and support which we have received from them. Also, my thanks to branch executive members for giving up their evenings to attend meetings and carry out branch duties.

The unsung heroes of the branch are of course, our volunteer workplace reps and convenors, who day in and day out, represent members at hearings and negotiations. Without them nothing would be achieved.

The branch has played a full role in UNISON’s internal democracy, attending various conferences and speaking on policy motions and issues which are important to our members. Our motion at our Community conference last year was about how it is a disgrace that some housing workers live in worse conditions than those they are trying to house was passed unanimously.

Despite the potential horrors of Brexit, 2019 should be an exciting time for the branch to finally get our structure and finances on a permanent basis, improve our ICT and provide better support for reps and carry out more campaigning on issues. We need to fight the resurgent hard right and the scandalous gender pay gaps which blight so many of our workplaces.

Finally, after I think it is nine or ten years in the position I have decided to step down as Branch secretary and to give someone else the opportunity. This does not mean that I intend to stop being active in the branch Executive and will continue to serve on the Community NEC seat.

Hat tip picture UNISON London regional AGM