Labour Unions - Campaigning for a Labour Government

I was pleased to see that the 12 trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party have renamed their co-ordinating organisation, formerly called TULO/Unions together, to become "Labour Unions" - which just makes things clearer.

Check out this link for information on campaigns to bring about a Labour Government such as Banning Zero Hour contracts.

‘Heart Unions Week’ 2019 - Banning Zero Hours Contracts

"Unions have agreed to organise a 'Heart Unions' week of campaigning, 11 -17 February 2019. Please put these dates in your diary and start to think about how you can celebrate being proud to be a union member. The campaign theme chosen for this year is 'banning zero hour contracts'.  We will be facilitating and publicising activity that supports union's organising campaigns, that builds links with workers who are suffering the impact of ZHCs, that raises awareness of the impact of ZHCs on people and families, and that lobbies politicians to support changes to employment rights, to give every worker the stability they need". Hat tip https://www.tuc.org.uk/london-east-and-south-east (this will work well with the Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz, Community Wealth Building programme, encouraging residents to join trade unions in order to increase pay and better conditions)

Tell The TUC: Survey on Zero hour contracts and Agency working

Are you one of the 1 in 10 people in insecure work - like a zero hours contract or working through an agency?

If so, we want to hear from you!

Many people now have jobs that give them little or no security. This may because you rely on an agency to provide you with work – and there’s no guarantee that they can find you work.

You may have a job where you have no guarantee of how many hours’ work you will have from one week to the next or maybe on a zero hours contract.

Or your employer might tell you you’re self-employed, but still want to control the hours you work and the jobs you take – without providing you with the minimum wage or sick pay.

We want to hear from people who have jobs like these. Please tell us about your experiences at work. It can be completely anonymous if you prefer. This will help us campaign for decent jobs for everyone.

Please complete survey by 29 March 2017.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TellTheTUC

"Newham trigger ballot results tighten but Sir Robin Wales maintains race lead"

See the latest report from the Newham Recorder on the trigger ballot. 

I do think that it is a genuine shame that Cllr Clive Furness when expressing his views about the Mayor does not declare that he is a full time paid employee of the current Mayor. 

Thinking about it all the 22 paid Councillor "advisors" to the Mayor are employees on zero hour contracts? 

"Attempts to unseat Sir Robin Wales as Labour’s automatic candidate for the borough’s 2018 mayoral elections have edged closer.

Two Labour branches and affiliated organisation Newham Co-op voted “no” in the latest round of the trigger ballot process this week, bringing the total number of wards pushing for an “open selection” election process to six.

However the Recorder understands a complaint has been formally lodged with the London chair and national chair of the Co-op party about “process and conduct plus missing ballot papers” at its vote on Monday.

But Chair of Newham Co-op Gill Hayes said the the person in question was being written to tomorrow to clarify that the process was in fact valid.

She said: “After investigation, it shows 73 ballots were issued and 73 ballots papers were returned.”

Stratford and Newtown ward voted Yes: 36 to No: 37 while Little Ilford ward voted Yes: 23 to No: 36.

Despite the wins, the “yes” votes still lead with nine wards in favour of keeping Sir Robin as the selected Labour candidate for Mayor of Newham.

Cllr Clive Furness, who represents Canning Town North, said he was supporting Sir Robin Wales for automatic re-selection.

“He has an excellent record and the drive to achieve more, we should focus on defending local people from the vicious attacks of the Tories and because when Labour spends time talking to itself we lose touch with our people,” he said.

A further six Labour wards are yet to vote and the majority of these are expected to take place next week.

West Ham, which votes on Tuesday, is expected to vote “no” but the other wards could go either way, the Recorder has been told.

Cllr John Whitworth, who has declared that he is “prepared to challenge” Sir Robin Wales as the 2018 Newham mayoral candidate should an open selection election process be triggered said next week’s votes would be “key - and really exciting”.

“As predicted, the argument for an open selection process did better this week with three straight wins, with two by massive majorities,” he said.

“It is becoming clear that it is the popular will of ordinary Newham party members that they want an open selection.

“It appears that other contenders are considering whether or not to declare.”

A further 11 affiliated organisations are also in the process of voting and have yet to declare.

A spokesperson for Trigger Democracy said: “From Stratford to Little Ilford, Labour members from all across Newham have been voting for democracy and choice.

“Trigger Democracy will carry on making its case as more wards meet next week.”