Trade Union Futures – Wholesome Swedish Meatballs or Pungent French Cheeses?

Or Harrogate's Bettys? For the last week or so I have had a constructive on-line debate with T&G Unite Steward (and “Bewildered LP member of Southampton Itchen CLP”) Iansredblog on trade unions, possible good practice elsewhere in the world and in particular the role of shop stewards.

Now, Ian and I have not had exactly an absolute meeting of minds – although we do have much in common. We both agree upon what is called an “organising approach” in our unions. Where local trade union stewards, activists and regional officers take responsibility for “organising” their members not just “servicing” their needs. Organised branches run by local organisers (stewards) and supported also by regional/national organisers (trade union full time officers) is the “nirvana” of modern day trade unionism.

Instead of just responding to member’s problems you will actively involve members in seeking solutions. A local steward won’t just say to members about an issue “leave it to me I’ll try and sort it out”. She or he would say to members “look if we all got together and did something collectively then we are more likely to get something done”. A “self sustaining workforce” as Ian puts it.

The Labour Party could learn a lot from such an approach, however, since it is not that prominent in that many MBA syllabuses, then perhaps not.

However, what Ian and I have mostly differed upon is what we should all be doing to challenge and change the present agreed “unacceptable” state of modern day British trade unionism (low membership density, participation and influence).

We have debated the role of “struggle” in modern day “class” politics. What is the best model for us in the UK to follow? Do we follow the Scandinavian model of Denmark, Finland and Sweden (80-90%) who have high union density compared with the UK (only 29%) rather than with Southern Europe countries that have even lower union membership than us (France 9%)?

What is the role in Britain of our trade union “political arm” (the Labour Party - discuss)? Is blaming the Party for our failure to organise, just an excuse or is the different legislative approach in Sweden the reason for their “success” (if that is what they have?)

Should British Trade union organisers aim to have the same constructive and long term partnership relationships with employers that they have in Sweden? Or should we have extremely low membership but highly active participation in demos as we have in France? What do you think?

Time to say Goodbye

Finally, after two years of legal argument my estate office was transferred today over to a housing association. There was a ballot of tenants in 2005 where there was a 7 vote majority in favour of the estate transferring from Tower Hamlets Council to a local Housing Association. On Friday tenants opposed to the transfer lost an appeal against a high court decision not to grant a judicial review about alleged irregularities in the original 2005 ballot. Today the paperwork was signed and despite a last minute application to the House of Lords, they refused to stop the transfer. TUPE will apply to all staff

All the local government trade unions are opposed to stock transfer when there is no meaningful choice offered to tenants to remain with the Council. The so-called “4th option”. Ironically, it seems that Councils may now be able to retain their housing stock and even start building again.

All our staff have worked for the council for many years (some their entire working lives) and many are obviously apprehensive about changing employers. Also, there is a lot of good people who are not transferring who we have worked with for a number of years who we will miss. Change, especially when it is forced is always difficult. However, there is obviously “life after transfer” and a number of ex-council (and trade union activists) former colleagues now work apparently very happily for housing associations. Tomorrow we start our induction training.

On Friday I went for a drink and curry with some stewards from work and ran into a group from my “new” employer, also going out for a drink and meal. Good to see they socialise after work – also in recent months I have had a number of "chats" with staff who have heard that I was a trade union activist and were interested in trade unions.

Have to start planning the leaving /joining do! Watch this space!

(above pictures early Labour movement Feminist activists Susan Lawrence, Beatrice Webb and Margaret Bondfield - who each have a block named after them on the estate)

Fighting the Good Fight in Shadwell – Home of diss-Respect

Went off today with Newham Labour Party comrades to help out in the Shadwell By-Election, Tower Hamlets. One of the Respect Councillors for the ward resigned suddenly a few weeks ago claiming that Respect was “bickering, immature, self serving and militant”. No surprise there then. See action photo of Labour Party activists outside Limehouse DLR station planning campaign activities (middle Denise Jones the current leader of the Council, right is the Candiate, former Labour leader of Council, Michael Keith ).

It was an interesting afternoon. At first we tried to canvass the wealthy blocks near the Limehouse basin. It was really difficult to get in and even once in, many residents were either out or not registered. One particularly nasty Tory supporter threw a right wobbler about us daring to “canvass” his private block and was running around trying to get the site security to get us arrested! I tried to point out that we had been invited in by a resident, but he clearly was off his head. He wasn’t impressed when I then asked him if I could put him down as a Labour "possible". Nearly everyone else we called upon were perfectly okay and polite even if they did not support Labour.

Later we went to more traditional Tower Hamlets estates. See left with Newham Councillor James Butler.
We even met up with the opposition in the form of former Labour councillor and advisor to Ken Livingston turned Bethnal Green and Bow, Respect Parliamentary candidate hopeful Kumar Murshid (big mate of Gorgeous George). Busy like us trying to infiltrate the Shadwell yuppie blocks.

It was quite uneventful, compared to previous recent campaigns; it seems that the gangs of Respect thugs intimidating opposition canvassers were not about. I hear that the price of a wrap is pretty low at the moment, so they must have their work cut out elsewhere.

There was no sign of any Tory or Lib Dem leaflets or canvassers?

Lovely dramatic Shadwell picture.

Robbing, Thieving Bankers? - Poor Pay More

Think cockney rhyming slang? This starts a bit “off message” but bear with me. Over the weekend I got my bank statement and noticed that I had been charged £1.99 to withdraw money from a cash point machine (ATM) last week (outside University of London Union, Mallet Street) after a Labour Link meeting. Being the son of a Scot (Aberdeen no less) I always avoid ATMs that charge. After seeing the statement I went back to check the cash point. See photos- it is a traditional looking “hole in the wall” ATM which had no warning signs on the machine that it charged for withdrawals. However, if you look closely at the screen you will see in small blue letters against a blue background “This machine will charge £1.99 for link cash withdraw”. If you double click the photo it is clearer. I’ve made a complaint to my bank and will follow this up to get my money back and make sure that there is adequate signage.

The consumer magazine “Which?” has campaigned for fee paying ATMs to be marked very clearly. They suggest that free ones should be painted green and charging ones painted red.

There is a wider issue than just me whinging about losing a couple of quid due to some sharp practice. Ironically the cost of financial services is relatively far more for the poor than for the wealthy.

Banks, building societies and post offices are closing down in less prosperous areas. If you can’t afford to run a car you may have no realistic choice about going to your corner shop to pay to use their ATM.

Not only that, but people who can only afford to buy their electricity or gas by a key meter pay more a unit than if you pay by direct debit.

Compare the horrendous cost of loans from “door to door” home credit companies such as Provident Financial who charge interest rates between “170% to 500%” with that of regular Banks. A loan of £200 paid over 23 weeks would result in £294.40 being paid (497%). I can borrow money from my mortgage provider at 6.9%.

The best rates for savings accounts can often only be found by those with access to the Internet.
This can only be regressive and result in further inequality. In such circumstances it is the role of government to step in and force companies to spread the cost over all customers and provide the same low cost access to loans and savings to the poor as that available to the rich.

The question is how? Any ideas?

At last – a Corporate Killing Law?

Yesterday the TUC sent out a press release welcoming a “last minute” compromise between the House of Commons and the House of Lords over this bill. It seems that it will finally become law. Ironically the dispute in Parliament was over the (important) issue of deaths in police and prison custody rather than the main trade union (and Warwick Agreement?) issue that individual company or public sector directors should be held personally liable to prosecution for killing workers by their gross negligence.

The well respected “Campaign for Corporate Accountability” (CCA) is broadly in favour of the bill since they believe (like the TUC) that bill will result in more prosecutions for negligent deaths at work and therefore will deter irresponsible employers. However, I (and many others) am disappointed that it has not gone further. The main problem being is that existing manslaughter laws finds it very difficult to prosecute large public companies and individual directors for negligently killing their workers. Since it is usually very hard in large organisations to prove who is personally responsible for this negligence, unlike in small companies. In small companies it is often clear whose individual negligence resulted in a workers death or serious injury? Such as in this case were a manager was found to have falsified driving records. This bill may make it easier to prosecute big companies but not necessarily those directors who often make (or don't make when they should) the decisions which result in death or serious injury to workers (and/or members of the public). So a large company may be prosecuted for say deliberately underfunding vital safety equipment, but shouldn't the directors who made that decision also be held responsible?

I remember being at a CCA conference a year or two ago when they had a senior Tory MP (true old school one nation Tory – utterly unlike modern day Cameron) on the main panel (sorry I forget his name) who told the conference that he was the director of a number of companies (as they do). He thought it wrong that if he and his fellow directors were found to be fiddling the company out of money then they could face prison. However, if they were negligent about killing their employees then it would be practically impossible to be personally criminally prosecuted.

He thought that this was a disgrace. Quite right too. I think that we must welcome this bill as an improvement to the existing status quo. But we must still continue to campaign for further improvements and make people responsible for their crimes.

Unsung heroes at the modern day coalface – Shop Stewards

Went today for meeting with Idea Store staffside and management reps. Picture of top UNISON stewards, Linda Benzidane and Stephen Murray thinking beforehand of questions (ideas?) to grill managers.

The Idea Store project in Tower Hamlets has gradually merged traditional libraries and life long learning centres. It has been one of the longest reorganisations I have ever been involved with (5 years and still ongoing). The work of local shop stewards is often unrecognised despite being the “meat and drink” of trade unionism. Important items discussed today were revised job descriptions, health and safety risk assessments, communications, unassimilated staff facing possible redundancy and the future of the Idea Store project.

Local stewards bare the brunt of the work, holding down full-time jobs while trying at the same time to do their level best to represent their members.

97% of UNISON members vote to accept pension deal

Just seen copy of the UNISON Press release about the overwhelming majority in favour of accepting the deal on the local government pension scheme negotiated by UNISON and the other local trade unions. Such a massive majority is almost embarrassing. This was also despite (patchy) attempts by some in the ultra left to campaign against acceptance.

However, well done to the negotiators for pulling off a good deal. Not a perfect deal, but at the end of the day in my view a far better result than many expected at the beginning of this dispute. We have an improved and sustainable final salary scheme. The real threat to this deal and to all public sector pensions schemes is from the Tories who continue to promise to “review” (i.e. dismantle and replace with unsafe private schemes) the so-called “gold plated” (as if) public pensions.

Some previous posts on this issue (and here)

The unions need to rethink pensions in the private sector. Pensions need to adapt and change but traditional final salary schemes are not unaffordable, the drive to close such schemes in the private sector has been to cut costs not to do with affordability. Check out Tom’s post on this issue.

Success in Ealing and Sedgefield

Good results
The Labour Party under Brown continues to win by-elections. Despite the attempt by Cameron and the Tories to capture the "centre" ground, Brown continues to park Labour's tanks on this lawn.

Ealing Southall – the Welsh Connection

Helped out yesterday in Ealing Southall by-election. The local party HQ in Ruskin Hall appears to be shared with the local Communication Workers Union (CWU). So lots of postal strike posters. Inside the hall I noticed on a whiteboard a message saying that 30 canvassers and a mini-bus was expected from Wales on Thursday. It seems like everyone is rallying around. Maggie Cousins from London Regional Board sent us off (via 207 bus) to deliver "targeted messages" to Walpole Ward, from former leader of Ealing Council, Hilary Benn MP praising Virendra Sharma, the Labour Candidate.

It started raining as we got off the bus (not a good start) but soon cleared up and was warm and sunny for the rest of the day. Ended up with a tan. Photo top right is of Dan and Paul from National Labour HQ, John W from West Ham and Robert from South London. By coincidence Dan is a tenant on the estate I manage. The ward was crawling with opposition canvassers, mostly Tory.

Later we went to other temporary Party rooms near the clock tower. Picture below is of John W “power napping” during a well earned tea break.

We did another delivery this time with David Collins (see below left). Who turned out to be a researcher for Ann Jones who is my Mum’s Welsh Assembly Member. Interesting talking about Denbigh politics while pounding the streets of West London.


Local residents have had so many leaflets put through their letter boxes (there are I think 12 candidates?) that for the first time I saw a number of notices on door telling us “no more”.

Joined up with another John from West Ham (below - there were 3 of us West Ham Johns) and Dora Dixon-Flye (London Regional Labour Party Board).

Finished off with delivering huge bright “eve of poll” leaflets so didn’t have a chance of door knocking and really talking to people. However, for once we were given a script for leaflet distribution and encouraged to stop and talk to voters.

If you can help out today - you will be very welcome (and busy). You don't have to be Welsh!

Overall, I thought that the reaction was very positive for Labour. However, I am now always cautious when you have factions playing community politics.

London UNISON Labour link – Living Wage, Metronet, Boris, Pensions, Child Labour, BNP, Leadership, Pay, NHS demo, Ealing & Shadwell

Today we had the quarterly committee meeting of London UNISON Labour Link. Each UNISON region has local committees of elected Labour Party levy payers and nominations from self-organised groups (the Labour Link is also known as the APF – Applied Political Fund) who oversee and manage its regional activities. All participants are members of the Labour Party.

The meeting started off with a verbal and written report by London Assembly member, Joanne McCartney. Joanne is very supportive of Labour Link. Good news that Labour had defeated the “Nasty Party” Tories attempt to stop paying a living wage to fire station cleaners (see previous post). But only by a margin of 1 vote (9-8)! This shows what a threat the Tories are in London.

Joanne also reported on the potential collapse of the London tube PFI contractor Metronet . Metronet freely bided to run parts of the London underground but now claim that they cannot afford to do what they promised at the price they had bid. They are facing going into liquidation. Independent arbitrators have rejected their “claim” for another £500 million to carry out their obligations. Tubeline, the other contractor, has not asked for more money and is able to honour their contract. You may say to Metronet “serve them right” (and I do) but if they go into liquidation I assume that their staff will be affected as well as a massive financial headache for Transport for London or the government. Another PFI success story?

Joanne made some perceptive remarks about the probable selection of Boris Johnson as the London Tory candidate for Mayor. She pointed out Boris is actually a traditional right wing Tory. Also, remembering that Hartlepool voted for a monkey as a mayor, we shouldn’t just dismiss Boris as simply a clown and no hoper.

I asked her questions about current Trade Union representation on the £3.7 Billion London Pension Fund Authority Board (think of a big round figure) and on working together with UNISON Capital Stewardship forum, on ensuring that the London Olympics only source from ethical providers (e.g. no child labour making expensive sports clothing for 2012 athletics). Joanne was receptive and said she will raise questions to the Mayor on these subjects.

We have two members of the London Labour Party Regional Board, Rachel Voller and Nicholas Russell, on the committee, who reported back that Ken Clark (well known in East London as a Labour Party organiser) has been appointed as the Regional London Labour Party Director. UNISON and UNITE (T&G) have paid for a full time organiser to fight the BNP in “City and East” constituency for the GLA elections next year (Rob Chapman appointed).

Rachel as the elected London member of National Labour Link Committee gave a full report on recent meetings including an insider account on the recent leadership nominations. The committee were fully supportive of Rachel and the national committee.

The committee also discussed Public sector pay and what we could do to support the demo on the NHS in London on 3 November 2007. We agreed to donate £500 to the parliamentary Ealing by-election and £100 to the Shadwell by-election (we would have loved to donate more but there are strict limits). There was also discussion about possibly increasing the number of consistency development plans in London. Julian Cooke from National Labour Link gave a well received presentation on “promoting and developing Labour Link”. I had to leave early but I think it was agreed to set up a working party to further this work.

Tomorrow I am off with others to Ealing to “fight the good fight” with West Ham TULO and UNISON Labour link. Will let you know how we got on.