UNISON Community Seminar 2025

Yesterday, the UNISON Community (Housing Associations and Voluntary Sector) annual seminar took place in Bristol. The day started at a 9am pre Conference meeting for myself and the Community Service Group Executive. 

10am the seminar started with Sector meetings. I attended the Housing Associations one and we had a speaker from LIVV Housing Association UNISON who are taking extensive strike action against their employer to reverse real term cuts in pay. LIVV have behaved appallingly and not only are they refusing to meet and try to conciliate but are actively attacking strikers and the union. 

While no-one expects an employer to simply agree to all union demands, what LIVV senior management and board are doing is deliberate union busting, by offering a pay rise ONLY to people who don't join or leave the union. Not being discriminated for joining a union is a fundamental human right (United Nations ILO declarations). If you don't respect the human rights of your workers then you are not fit to run in any way any organisation in my view, never mind one supposedly with a social purpose. 

No wonder "Housing Associations" (when there are actually many very good ones who would never act it this way) are hated by so many, across the entire political spectrum. Who on earth is advising them to do this?  How can human rights abusers be allowed to run services for vulnerable residents? 

There were "new delegate" and then equalities caucus meetings over lunch then the Seminar itself started afterwards. Our General Secretary, Christina MacAnea, gave a simply brilliant and inspiring speech followed by a wide ranging Q&A. The way she has been treated following her personal bereavement by some extremists has been truly shameful but I am so glad she is back and standing up for the union and our real members.  

Joseph Evans from the IPPR spoke about sectorial bargaining in other parts of the economy. This issue is so important to our sector and I spoke on this debate the next day at the actual conference. 

After the seminar there was a regional meeting of Greater London Community delegates then a social in a nearby pub. 

F**K Trump and join the United Nations Associations UK

In a very clever and timely email this evening the United Nations Association UK send me the following unsolicited email.

"Dear John,

I would like to invite you to become a member of the United Nations Association - UK, a movement of over 20,000 people who believe that global issues demand a global response.

During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump said "the United Nations is not a friend of democracy, it is not a friend of freedom".

We don’t really know the details of know how US foreign policy will change following his inauguration as President today. But we hope that it will remain engaged with the UN and take seriously its international responsibilities.

If you agree that the world works best when countries work together, please join us as a member.

From just £15 a year you will receive our incisive magazine delivered directly to your door and priority alerts to our events, giving you the opportunity to meet like-minded people.

But much more than that, you will be contributing to our work as we equip teachers, inspire schoolchildren, brief journalists, lobby our government and mobilise groups in local communities across the country.

It’s so important to make sure your voice is heard during this time of uncertainty. I do hope you will join us.

Best wishes,

Richard Nelmes
Deputy Director (Outreach)
United Nations Association – UK

The United Nations Association – UK (UNA-UK) is a charitable company limited by guarantee (no. 1146016)"

I have only vaguely heard of the UNA and have become a "supporter" and if it is as good as it seems I will join. Share this if you agree with the above sentiments. 

The United Nations 10 Principles of Human Rights ("Nothing to do with us Guv" says Catalyst Housing)

These are "The 10 Principles of Human Rights". It is disgraceful that the senior management and board of British Charities such as Catalyst Housing Association do not believe in basic human rights.

Principal 3 "Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining"

"The UN Global Compact's ten principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption enjoy universal consensus and are derived from:

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The International Labour Organisations Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
The United Nations Convention Against Corruption

The UN Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption:

Human Rights
Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labour
Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment
Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-Corruption
Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.