Newham Labour Unions - the Right to Strike

 

Picture collage from meeting on Thursday evening at St Lukes, Canning Town. This is the second meeting in Newham of Labour Party supporters who are trade union activists. Our launch was here https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2022/10/labour-national-day-of-action-canvass.html. Unmesh Desai and myself both chaired. Some key supporters were unable to attend due to clashes. 

The focus of the meeting was opposing the Tory attempts to get rid of the basic human right to take strike action. 

Our main speaker was Michael Gavan, from the NEU union, who explained the threat but was also able to give an update on the previous day's strike action in Schools across Newham. The bill (which should be called the "sacking of nurses and teachers" Act) has passed the House of Commons but has yet to go to the House of Lords. Since it is not a Government manifesto commitment, the Lords can cause problems. But we cannot rely on the Lords or even legal challenges, we must campaign as a movement to defeat it. 

Rohit Das Gupta also gave an update on UCU industrial action and I gave one on the UNISON London Ambulance. strikes (next strike is 10 Feb).

There was also a thoughtful and constructive discussion about next steps and agreed to consider a number of proposals such as a Labour union stall outside Stratford station on the "Right to Strike", possibly combined to celebrate "Love Unions" week 13-19 Feb;WhatsApp Broadcast Group on dates and times of Newham pickets lines and protests; Supporting local strike action by CWU; writing articles for Labour movement media on what we are trying to achieve in Newham and supporting the Workers Memorial Day Event in Stratford on 28 April. 

We are hoping to arrange monthly meetings from now on rotating from West Ham to East Ham. All Newham Labour Party supporters and trade union activists welcome. 

Hat tip photos Shantu

First Trade Union Protest on Second Life

I couldn’t make the Newham UNISON rally tonight with Guest speaker, Tony Benn, in support of their sacked branch Chair, Michael Gavan, (I’m laid up and off work with a dodgy Achilles heal). However, I was able to visit the brand new on-line “Union Island” on “Second Life” to listen to an on-line debate on “union busters”.

I had registered for a Second Life account yesterday, but I couldn’t work out how to enter the site. Tonight, I just followed the links from the SLUnions blog; it took me about 15 minutes to work out how to travel inside the site. It was actually quite logical and straight forward, since they had 4 short compulsory training modules. Then I was teleported to” Union Island” (just like in Star Track!).

The Union Island site is very much “under construction”; however you can navigate it quite clearly. Once you get over the overall “weirdness” of Second Life, it’s not that strange and you can see potential positive benefits. While many users did have rather exotic “Second Life” names and choose to be rather imaginative with their profile and dress. On the other hand, you can see how “Second Life” could be (not definitely at this early state) an effective means for trade unionists to be able to communicate across the world.

The conversion tonight on “union busting” (companies who employ consultants to defeat union recognition ballots) and the sharing of experiences between the US AFL-CIO and the CWU was interesting in itself. However, you could also see how union reps who work for multi-national companies could arrange to meet up to discuss common concerns. Also, in the pension capital stewardship field. “Union Island” could be an invaluable resource to enable international union pension fund trustees to meet up very cheaply and work together.

Its early days yet and we should wait and see before being too carried away about the organisational potential of "2nd Life". However, I am really pleased that the trade unions are dipping their toes into the water and being imaginative about the future direction of our movement.

Finally, although tonight, I was unable to attend the Newham rally, I was able to hold a “Second Life” union protest about Michael Gavan’s dismissal (see above). Maybe the first ever? Must see if I can also organise a lobby over any Burmese Military collaborators Total presence in “Second Life”?

Tony Benn: Newham Rally on democracy and trade union rights

Newham UNISON Local Government branch is organising a public meeting tomorrow on "democracy and trade union rights".

Tony Benn will be the main speaker. Newham branch Chair, Michael Gavan, who was sacked last year by the council for trade union related activities will also be speaking.

Monday 11 February 2008

@ 7pm St. John's Church Stratford, London E15(nearest tube is Stratford, St Johns Church is located in front of shopping centre, in the middle of the Broadway)

with John McDonnell MP and Michael Gavan plus national speakers from unison & other local unisons for more details,

call Newham UNISON on 020 8555 9351

2nd Newham Council Strike

Further strike action in support of sacked UNISON Branch Chair, Michael Gavan, took place yesterday in Newham. On the way into work I stopped off at the picket lines at the Council Folkestone Road depot and later outside the Town hall to show my support.

I was a bit late since I drove all the way to Tower Hamlets to give someone a lift to the picket. I forgot their exact address and the mobile phone didn’t wake them up! Pretty frustrating at 6am in the morning, but such is life.

It was very cold, dark and foggy. Pickets joked that that it was a pity that the Council couldn’t wait until the summer to sack Michael. Despite the cold and the early start people did seem in genuine good spirits. The London Regional Convener, Gloria Hanson (who is the Newham Branch treasurer) and the Regional Secretary Linda Perks were at the depot, while Vicki Easton, the Head of Local Government was outside the Town Hall.

Tom Nixon, the T&G Unite branch secretary was also at the depot with a number of T&G members who had refused to cross the picket line.

I was surprised how many agencies staff the Council and their contractors employ? Most were very sympathetic and a few did refuse to cross the picket but many said that they had been told they would be sacked if they did not turn up to work (illegal in my view if UNISON members but...).

There were also the usual weird and wonderful excuses offered by the (relatively very few) scabs over their behaviour, such as “I’m going to work since the unions don’t collect money for charity....”I am a member of unison because in case I get myself in trouble not to go on strike” (very ironic considering Michael’s circumstances) and the best was .....”I didn’t realise there was a strike on and I can’t go home since I have driven all this way”. One of them said they will get me arrested for speaking to them! Hmmm?

Michael himself was incredibility polite, softy spoken, courteous and even shaked hands with some (not all) of the strike breakers!

I couldn’t make it to the lunchtime rally but I have heard that it went really well. On Monday the branch executive will meet up to discuss what next. Check out the Newham UNISON website for further details.

On Wednesday the West Ham Labour Party Executive Committee agreed to invite Newham UNISON branch committee member, Bill Turner, (a Newham Council striker and Tower Hamlets Labour Party Councillor) to the General Committee meeting as a guest speaker to discuss “industrial relations in Newham Council”.

Further Strike Action in Newham over sacked Michael Gavan

On Thursday there will be another strike by UNISON members in Newham, East London over the sacking by the Council of their branch Chair, Michael Gavan.

Amazingly Michael was dismissed for representing his trade union members in disciplinary hearings (and in doing so “not acting in the best interests of the Council”) and convening a stewards meeting over privatisation without permission.

The branch is asking for supporters to join the picket lines before work on Thursday. There will also be a lunchtime rally in the Hartley Centre, next to the Bingo Hall in 267 Barking Road, E6.

There is also a rally at the House of Commons tomorrow (Tuesday) evening to support Michael, as well as the Unison strikers at Fremantle, Barnet, and Karen Reissman, sacked Unison activist from Manchester. This is at 7.00 p.m. in Committee Room 9, House of Commons (Westminster tube). If you're going, allow time to get through the House of Commons security

More information from the Newham branch website - www.newhamunison.com or telephone 020 8555-9351.

"LOGO 'NO GO' FOR UNISON'S JOHN"

Hat tip to East London Advertiser Deputy Editor, Ted Jeory, in his “Trial by Jeory” Column last week.

I couldn’t possibly comment.

“ALTHOUGH better now, Tower Hamlets council's press office has, over the years, developed a well-earned reputation for control-freakery.

But judging from the following tale, they're 'little angels' compared to their cousins at Newham.

John Gray, a Tower Hamlets Unison official who lives in West Ham, runs an excellent and thoughtful blog site. Last Thursday, he posted a comment attacking Newham council for sacking his union colleague and Respect member Michael Gavan.

To illustrate the comment, he included an image of Newham council's extremely dull logo.

Within days, Ian Tompkins, Newham's communications chief, fired John the following email: "We've noticed on your blog site there is a reproduction of our council logo. I cannot trace any request from you for permission to use this so would ask that you remove it immediately."

In his reply, John expressed "surprise that senior managers spend time scouring the blogsphere on the lookout for errant Newham council logos."

He added: "I am not sure that this is a good use of my council tax.

"I have replaced the offending logo with a photo taken from a public place. I assume that this is OK? If not please let me know."

As they say, good work fella!

Just to update about Michael - there will be a hearing at Stratford Employment Tribunal on December 14 to hear UNISON solicitors argue for what is called “interim relief” for Michael. What this hearing will be asked to decide is “whether or not” there is a case to answer, that Michael was sacked due to his trade union activities. If the tribunal decide there is - then Newham Council will have to continue to pay his wages until there is a full tribunal hearing on the matter. This could be a year or so.

Newham Council, its Logo and my blog

This morning I received this email from Ian Tompkins, Head of Newham Council Communications Unit about the use of the Council logo in this post about the sacking of Newham UNISON Chair Michael Gavan. This is what he sent.

Dear Mr Gray

We've noticed on your blog site there is a reproduction of our council logo (the Newham "ribbon" logo). I cannot trace any request from you for permission to use this so would ask that you remove it immediately.

Thank you.
Ian Tompkins, Head of Communications, London Borough of Newham, Town Hall, Barking Road, London E6 2RP
Being the courteous and polite fellow that I am this is how I responded.

Dear Mr Tompkins

Thank you for your email. I must admit to be somewhat surprised that senior managers spend their time scouring the blogsphere on the look out for errant Newham council logos. I am not sure that this is a good use of my Council tax? Mind you, I suppose this is a better use of senior manager’s time than victimising and sacking trade unionists. I have replaced the offending logo with a photo taken from a public place. I assume that this is OK? If not please let me know.

Formally, please can I ask for permission to use the logo since what with the future industrial action over Michael Gavan’s dismissal, the internal appeal and employment tribunal applications (all sort of hearings) there will be lots and lots to blog about in the future.

Cheers
John
I thought I might as well post some pictures of past Newham trade union and Labour Party leaders who will no doubt be spinning in their graves at what is going on over Michael’s dismissal.

Newham is arguably the birthplace of the Labour Party and modern day trade unions. Left is Keir Hardie, the first ever Labour MP who was elected for West Ham in 1892 ; Herbert Blaine who is credited in 1905 with forming NALGO which eventually became part of UNISON, while working for West Ham Council (ironically like Michael he was not a Labour Party supporter and was in fact a lifelong Tory!) and finally Will Thorne, West Ham Labour MP 100 years ago and founder of the GMB (Beckton gas works).

UPDATE: 25 minutes after I sent this email at 18:07 today I got this two word reply from Mr Tompkins - "Thank you". A bit brief for a Head of Communications I suppose. What exactly does this mean? can I use the Newham logo? I suppose it does. As suggested on this post's "comments" should I put in a FOI request?

Lyn Brown MP – West Ham “T” Party

This morning I helped out at the latest “Community Development” meeting held by local Labour MP, Lyn Brown, at the Vicarage Lane Centre in Stratford.

These meetings (better known as “Tea Parties”) are organised by Lyn’s Parliamentary office and take place all over her constituency. She invites local residents to meet herself, local Councillors (today Ron Manley seen back of photo and Freda Bourne) and the ward Police Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT).

The purpose of these meetings is to informally discuss local problems, issues and possible solutions over tea and biscuits. These meetings I think have been hugely successful.

In London every single Council ward has a dedicated team of regular police and Community Support Officers. I think that these teams (which is a local and national Labour party initiative opposed by the Tories) are making a big difference to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour especially in urban areas.

I think about 70 people turned up this morning and I sat and chatted with people while they were waiting to see Lyn or the Councillors. One common problem that came up was about irresponsible landlords who were converting terrace houses into Houses in Multiple Occupations (HMO). These landlords carry out botched conversions, leave behind building rubble and fail to maintain the properties properly. Many of these rogue landlords also do nothing about the small minority of their residents who cause a nuisance and even misery to their neighbours.

Nowadays the Council can prosecute Landlords of HMOs who fail to manage their properties and even in extreme cases they can take over their management.

I’ll be interested to see some research on how effective this licensing has been.

One thing that I found striking was that on one table none of the residents knew each other even though they had all lived in the ward for many years. None of them had never met their local MP, Councillors or the SNT before today. So simply turning up and discussing problems with each other and their elected representatives was a good start I think.

Finally, on a negative note, many Newham Labour party members who also popped by to show their support, were stunned at the sacking of Newham UNISON Chair Michael Gavan by the Council. I’m speaking to the branch to find out what happens next and what can be done to help.

Newham Council sacks UNISON Chair Michael Gavan

Shocking news that Newham Council have sacked UNISON branch Chair Michael Gavan yesterday.

This is unremitting bad news for Newham UNISON, Newham Labour Party, Newham Council and of course Michael.

I expect further strikes and disruption and if the appeal against dismissal fails (before a panel of local Newham councillors) then an absolutely disastrous and hugely damaging employment tribunal will take place.

There is a rally and lobby at the House of Commons at 7.30pm Tuesday 11th December 2007 Committee Room 9.

UPDATE: I have replaced the Newham logo with a photograph of it after Ian Thompkins the Head of Newham Council "Communications" has contacted me and "asked" me to remove it from my blog. Check out this post for further details.

The Fremantle Nightmare continues - March & Rally

There was a noisy and colourful march this afternoon by care home Fremantle UNISON strikers and supporters from Burnt Oak to Edgware. I think there were about 150 people in total. The march received a lot of support from passerbies and “toots” from Car horns.

I had a brief chat with the trade union web site Labourstart editor Eric Lee who was due to speak. Fremantle had threatened to take libel action against Labourstart over their coverage of this dispute.

Local Labour Party MP Andrew Dismore took part in the March with Local Councillors and Party supporters. He spoke at rally (see standing in photo next to Barnet UNISON branch secretary, John Burgess). UNISON Regional Secretary Linda Perks was next then I spoke briefly as well, but I had to leave before the end in order to go to a memorial service.

I pointed out that tens of thousands of public sector workers in London had been transferred into the private sector (myself included!). They had all been promised like Fremantle staff that there terms and conditions would be protected under TUPE. However, TUPE had failed to protect Fremantle staff (ironically due to gross management incompetence and opportunism), so in this dispute we need to defend the principle of TUPE protection. It is also a disgrace that in London, the richest capital in Europe that the workers who carry out hard, difficult manual work looking after the most vulnerable of clients in care homes are paid just over £6.60 per hour, and have had their sickness, overtime and holiday pay slashed.

NEC member Jon Rodgers, Former London Regional secretary Geoff Martin, sacked UNISON NHS activist Karen Reissman were also due to speak. Under threat Newham UNISON LG Chair Michael Gavan was also there.

Picket, Regional Council then Strike rally

Busy day. Started off 7.30 on Picket line outside East Ham Town hall. Newham UNISON are on strike for the day over the discipline hearing that will take place tomorrow against Branch Chair Michael Gavan.

Then off to London Regional Committee and Regional Council. As usual the Council meeting was inquorate. It is just silly that we have 4 “mini” regional conferences per year (my personal view). UNISON activists I think are just too busy to come to such meetings.

This was the first Council meeting to be Chaired by Gloria Hanson (left: also Newham UNISON) following Alan Jarman decision to step down after taking redundancy from his employer. As usual the invited speakers to the meeting made their contributions despite it being inquorate.

Speaker Alan Tate from the CWU gave a very honest and level headed review of the recent strike action.

John Burgess; Carmel Reynolds and Lango Gamonya (Strikers) gave an emotive speech in favour of the Freemantle Strikes. They were very well received.

David Eggmore (Camden and Local Government Executive) spoke about the recent strike ballot on pay. Since there was such a close result (51%-49%) and a relatively low turn out (24% as well as the T&G and the GMB agreeing to deal beforehand) there will be no strike action and the pay deal will be accepted (watch out next year NJC).

There was also a very interesting and useful presentation on the problems facing the Union from the equal pay legal actions.

Jeremey Corbyn MP gave a Labour Link Parliamentary report.

Next was a lunchtime rally at Stratford Church which was very well attended (I arrived late).

Tomorrow Michael will face a gross misconduct hearing which could result in him losing his job. I won’t go into the details of the allegations made against him. Not least because the underlying facts are under dispute.

However, put it like this, its is absolutely vital that if a union member wants to speak to their rep (such as me) in private, about a union matter, they would not expect that rep to run off to management and tell them all about their meeting. We are not talking about child protection issues or anything like this. This is such silly and dangerous anti-trade union rubbish.

Newham Council should remember the golden rule of management (and of life) – Rule Number 1 – if you are in a hole – Stop digging!

UPDATE: Michael's hearing went on for most of the day. Then it was adjourned until November 19.

“Will no one rid me of this turbulent...Shop Steward!”

Last night I spoke at a Newham UNISON rally in support of their suspended Branch Chair, Michael Gavan (2nd from left). Unusually, the rally was in the Stratford Picture House (cinema - right photo) and had the film director Ken Loach (middle) as the guest speaker. Ken had allowed his latest film “It’s a Free World” to be shown and have its British premier that night to help Newham branch.

Now, I have already made it clear that I do not support Michael’s political beliefs (he is the Chair of Newham Respect), however, he is the senior democratically elected UNISON branch officer in Newham (local government) with an excellent reputation for defending members in discipline or sickness hearings.

I think that everyone accepts that trade union reps are accountable for their actions; but, Michael has been accused by management in Newham Council of two counts of “gross misconduct”. These should be very serious and substantiated allegations. But it is clear to me that the actual charges made against Michael are just simply nonsensical and in no way justify suspension or charges of gross misconduct. I first heard in detail about the allegations from non UNISON sources.

This is now an "official" dispute and a strike ballot has been authorised and I have no doubt that there is the potential for prolonged and damaging strike action to take place.

In his speech Ken, was as usual, rather uncomplimentary about the Labour Party. I think he is just plain wrong about these particular views. For example I don’t actually think that Gordon Brown (for all his mistakes) is engaged in a conspiracy to stop migrant workers being paid the minimum wage in order to keep inflation down. In fact I am absolute confident that the opposite is true. Despite this we could all agree that Michael is being treated very unfairly.

Also present was UNISON NEC member Irene Stacey (far left - speaker and secretary of Newham branch), UNISON NEC member Kim Silver (Newham) and Councillor (Tower Hamlets) Bill Turner (member Newham UNISON) amongst others. It was nice to speak from the same platform as my good comrade, Jon Rogers (UNISON NEC).

During his speech Ken turned round and looked at me and said that he hoped the unions would not “cut and run” in their support for Michael. Something he thought that British trade unions were prone to do. He had a big beaming smile while he said this, I didn’t take offence. Mind you afterwards I had to apologise to him for not staying and seeing the film since I had to go to another meeting. He laughed, I laughed…. I did mention on the way out that it was a Newham Labour Party selection meeting. Nobody seemed to mind.

By coincidence while I was finishing off this report I have just watched the BBC2 “Newsnight” feature on the current problems in “Respect”.

Off tomorrow to Labour Party conference.

Newham UNISON branch Chair suspended

I’m on leave at moment and “out and about”, but managed to find out that rumours about Michael Gavan's suspension by his employer, Newham Council is true. Now, to be honest Michael and I don’t see “eye to eye” over some things (e.g. Respect), but he is a democratically elected trade union official with a very good reputation as an able rep when defending his members in discipline or sickness hearings.

From the information available to me, it seems that the allegations against him are also frankly rubbish.

This quote is from Newham UNISON via “Union Futures” Irene Stacey, Newham Unison branch secretary, “Michael is an honest and hard working branch chair and would never do anything that is not in our members' interests,” This is not the first time that the council have attacked our union and it is no coincidence that Michael has been suspended. It comes shortly after the union started a campaign against the privatisation of the refuse and cleansing service and Sir Robin Wales publicly declared that Unison stood in the way of his plans to cut pay and increase working hours for our members. The terms of the suspension are outrageous and underline the nature of the attack on the union.

Michael is a well respected representative and now he is banned from assisting anyone who faces sickness or disciplinary charges. It is clear that the council intend the suspension to drag on for as long as possible – no investigation officer has been appointed and no date for the investigation meetings has been set.

We expect the full support of our national union in fighting this attack on our union branch organisation. We will be asking for a ballot for strike action.

We will be asking for you full support in fighting for the reinstatement of our branch chair because if the council get away with picking and choosing who represents our members, then the council will feel confident to smash through wages, terms and conditions and push through more and more redundancies.”

Irene is a UNISON NEC and National Labour Link Committee member.

Together with other West Ham Labour Party GC delegates we have contacted the Labour group leadership and others on this matter and the related (I believe) issue regarding the current “single status” dispute.

Send messages of support to Newham UNISON