Notting Hill Housing Dispute: UNISON Housing Association Branch Press Release.

UNISON BEGINS LUNCHTIME LOBBIES OF EMPLOYERS’ HEAD OFFICE

The first of a week-long series of Lunchtime Lobbies of Notting Hill Housing Trust’s (NHHT) head office got of to a rousing start yesterday. UNISON members shared lunch with many of their non-union colleagues whilst protesting at senior management’s continuing refusal to negotiate on the new terms and conditions that they have imposed.

“It’s very encouraging to see non-union members supporting UNISON’s campaign to defend Family Friendly Policies at Notting Hill Housing Trust”, said UNISON Regional Organiser, Colin Inniss. “It contradicts the Trust’s claim that most members of staff are happy with imposed change. Unison’s campaign will continue until the Trust realises that cutting family-friendly benefits demoralises staff and has a negative impact on service delivery”.

UNISON’s dispute with Notting Hill Housing Trust is now in its third month. A day of strike action was taken on 15th March; further strike action is planned for May. In an effort to resolve the dispute, UNISON has referred it to ACAS for mediation.

For Further information or comment please contact:

UNISON Regional Organiser, Colin Inniss on 07703 194 127 or C.Inniss@unison.co.uk

Notes for Editors

1. UNISON’s Housing Association Branch represents approximately 3,500 members in the Greater London Region and the South East. UNISON Members at Notting Hill Housing Trust took successful strike action on 15th March.

2. NHHT manages 25,000 homes in London and the South East. According to its own website NHHT has an asset base of £1,317m and an annual turnover of £167m. Group reserves on 2008/2009 totalled £188m and its operating profit was £19.8m. In June 2009 the group absorbed 3 smaller BME housing associations – Presentation, Pathway and Croydon People’s.

3. 14% of staff took paid carers’ leave in 2008/09 at a total cost to the organisation of £40,000. Chief Executive, Kate Davies total pay and reward package for the year 2008 to 31March 2009 was £192,000.

4. Paul Hodgkinson is the Chair of NHHT’s Board. He is also a Trustee of Parenting UK, a national charity that sets the policy for parenting focus in the UK. Respect for cultural diversity and the different needs of men and women within the context of human rights for all, is one of Parenting UK’s key principles.

5. UNISON’s Lunchtime Lobbies of NHHT Head office will take place during the first week of May. 2 days of industrial action will take place at a later date.   Check out here and here

(picture is an artists impression of the new Notting Hill Housing Group proposed headquarters in Kings Cross)

"A vote for Respect will let the Tories in"

Yesterday evening I was helping out the re-election campaign for Jim Fitzpatrick and the Labour Council candidates in Poplar and Limehouse. I was delivering targeted mail around Limehouse ward. I thought I knew my way around Tower Hamlets but it was pretty confusing and difficult to find particular blocks.  But I managed eventually to work it out.

The only opposition campaigners I came across were a group of Tories who were also lost and it appeared to be wondering around in circles. They only had to ask me and I would have sent them the correct way – honest!

I was very pleasantly surprised to see a complete lack of any activity or posters for Respect. It is very different atmosphere to 2005 but Galloway could still do the Tories dirty work for them (see picture).

Update: you can help Jim out tomorrow - go to Party headquarters next to Chrisp Street market - 11 Market Way, E14 6AH. It's close to All Saints and Langdon Park DLR stations - the Bus Number 15 also goes there. Ring 020 7729 3186.

Outside West Ham Church of England Primary School

Picture is from yesterday morning - of Lyn Brown (our West Ham Parliamentary candidate), Ron Manley, Freda Bourne (my fellow West Ham Council candidates) and West Ham’s “Mr Labour” Gerry (as he is known in his block).

We had been handing out “Vote Labour” leaflets to parents arriving to drop off their children at school. One mother exclaimed “Of course I will vote Labour – I have no choice, I am a Mum”.

Labour have built in West Ham Parliamentary constituency 13 new Sure Start centres, rebuilt 8 schools and there are 220 more teachers. It is a record to be very proud of and is at risk if the Tories are elected.

Notting Hill Housing Dispute Protest

Yesterday there was the first of 4 planned protests outside the Headquarters of Notting Hill Housing Group by UNISON members who are furious at their CEO who has attacked family friendly policies and terms.  Non members and agency staff joined the protest.  The next one will start 12.30 today and will continue for rest of the week.  Check out "Altogether Worse" for further details.

“On the knocker” in Canning Town South

My third canvass session on Monday was with Newham Mayor, Robin Wales and Canning Town South candidates, Bryan Collier and Alan Taylor.

There was another positive response from local residents. People coming up to you and saying “Labour – that’s my Party”.

In between sessions I had also done some leafleting of West Ham ward.

Thinking about it – I drove around Newham for most of the day and campaigned in Custom House, Royal Docks and Canning Town but I didn’t see a single opposition campaigner.

Hugh and Fry on Thatcher

Notting Hill Housing Dispute "All Together Now" lunchtime protests!

I'll post on today's first UNISON Notting Hill Housing Group protest later.

But I have never, ever, met so many people, who feel so let down and badly treated by their employer.

They think it is personal. That their CEO, Kate Davies, "hates" her staff and wants to get rid of all who she doesn't like aka those who aren't in the "Kate's Camp". How many times I have heard this term?

What a way to run what is supposed to be a publicly responsible and socially responsive organisation?

West Ham Team Labour “on the knocker” in Royal Docks

My second campaign canvass on Bank Holiday Monday was with my fellow Labour candidates for West Ham ward while “on the knocker” in Royal Docks ward, East Ham.

See picture of Ron and Freda with the famous “Lyons Golden Syrup” sign behind them (Tate and Lyle factory). This took place in typical British May weather. Sunshine one moment followed rapidly by rain then more sunshine.

Royal Docks ward had a strong Tory challenge at a recent by-election. But I thought our voter ID reception yesterday was pretty good. Local residents appreciate the work of the Royal Docks councillors and nobody appears to have any appetite for the Tories - locally or nationally.

Unions urge their members “Vote Labour on May 6th

This is another excellent video from “Unions Together”. Featuring a number of trade union activists explaining why they are voting for Labour and asking their members to do so as well. Included is TSSA and East Ham Labour Party activist, Amarjit Singh, and our very own UNISON “Lollypop lady”, Louise Couling, who is of course standing for Labour against BNP Barnbrook in Barking and Dagenham.

There is an important call for Union members to volunteer to help out on polling day. I know from past experience that on the day Union members will simply turn up at polling stations and offer to help out.  Many more will volunteer if they are asked.

On the Knocker in Custom House

Bank Holiday Monday started off  early with  a voter ID canvass together with our Parliamentary Candidate, Lyn Brown, and local Councillor Pat Holland.  We went to  a “Newham Homes” housing estate in Custom House ward.

There was a very good response. 

Plenty of healthy cardiovascular exercise going up and down communal stairs!

“We’re all forever Labour” was one reply I heard.