A day in the life of a Labour movement activist

I had a busy day today but a really worthwhile one. Started off by cycling to West Ham station to meet my Councillor Ward Colleague (and fellow Deputy Mayor) Charlene Mclean and hand out leaflets to commuters, supporting Sadiq Khan, who is standing to be re-elected as London Mayor in May. It was cold but at least it was not raining!

Then went into Central London (via tube & Ken Bike) to chair a forum meeting of UNISON London Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) representatives from 10 different funds. We had Eve Keith, who is the UNISON Staff Pension fund manager as our guest speaker, who gave a fascinating account of her day job. Afterwards we also discussed problems with fund administration, taxation and the London CIV.

Ken biked to UNISON centre for lunch at canteen (with by chance a long standing Labour NEC member).

On the way via Ken Bike to another LGPS Pension meeting in Islington Town Hall (this time with Councillors & officers) I stopped off on route to show support and solidarity to members of UCU (University and College Union) at their picket line in Tavistock Square who are on strike over pensions and pay.

This was the first time I have ever been inside Islington Town Hall and it is a stunning building.

Afterwards I took tube back to West Ham, picked up my bike and cycled to East Ham Town Hall for a Cabinet meeting. At this meeting I presented two reports. First one was the possible purchase of a newly build block of flats in East Ham for Council tenants. Which is subject to terms being agreed but I am really pleased that we are actively seeking to acquire desperately needed homes using Right to Buy receipts and prudential borrowing. This was agreed in principal.

The second proposal was the Cyclical Decorations & Repairs Programme.  Another positive report. As well as building and acquiring new homes we are going to decorate and improve our existing housing stock. This was passed as well.

I cycled home very happy.  

London UNISON Labour Link says "Happy 30th" to Jeremy

At the recent meeting of London UNISON Labour Link, Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn came to give us his regular Parliamentary report. 

We ambushed him with a "Congratulations" card celebrating the 30th anniversary of his election as an MP. 

UNISON also sponsored a Party held last Sunday at his constituency.

Jiving for decent pensions: November 30 Strike and Protest

Video from UNISON Housing Association Branch picket and lobby in Islington yesterday.  Check out the formal report on the branch and regional strike here. Sarah is our Branch Finance Officer and a champion Jiver and instructor.

It was I think a useful "stunt" to capture people attentions. Shame I am am quite so useless at it!

UNISON Housing Association Pension Strike November 30

I had all the placards, banners, flags and leaflets etc at home, so I took a minicab this morning at 6.30am to the picket and lobby at Islington. It was a relief to see that there was 3 branch members waiting for me on site at 7am.  We then spent the next couple of hours busy setting things up. The concourse outside the Highbury and Islington Underground station and the traffic island is very busy and high profile.  We put placards, balloons and flags on railings, trees and street furniture.  While leafleting and talking to the public. 

There was an overwhelmingly positive reaction from commuters and passersbyes.  A few idiotic comments but so few as to be remarked upon. Unite members who were not on strike had taken leave in order to take part. Journalists from the "Morning Star" and "Inside Housing" came to visit and interview us.  As well as a Swiss journalist. We had "Jiving for decent pensions" lessons given free to pickets by Sarah, our branch finance officer, who is a Jiving Dancing champion and instructor (see next post).  I was  the only one who didn't mind the lessons being filmed despite me being completely rubbish at jiving!

There was also a successful branch picket outside Gem House in Aldgate.

Next some of us went to the local Islington rally outside the Town Hall, while I went to meet Gloria Hanson, the UNISON regional Convenor in Holburn. We took part with branch members in the march through central London. At the Rally in Victoria Embankment, Gloria was a speaker to the estimated 30,000 crowd. Afterwards we joined the UNISON picket line outside St Thomas Hospital which went on until 6pm. We had a little break to see a guest off but returned to the picket line later until it finished. Then a quick beer (or three) and home.  I'll post futher pics on the Strike day later.

Completely knackered but it was a really good day. I hope you-know-who-you-are: are listerning and will have the decency to give us pension justice. Go on - surprise us.