"On Halloween Remember Nothing is as SCARY as NOT BEING IN A UNION!

 
Hat tip Jonathan Dunning via Adrian Kennett. One of the worse things about being a trade union rep is that non members will contact you about serious issues and ask for representation. In the same way that you cannot get car insurance, after you have crashed your car, this can't happen. You have to say no. Unions would go bust if workers only joined when they had a problem. 

While locally in my employer, Reps have agreed to allow someone to join with a pre-existing issue and get limited verbal advice (if they had not previously been asked and refused to join).  They will not get physical representation at discipline, sickness, grievance or redundancy meetings nor access to full time officials or our union solicitors. 

Ironically, it tends to be people, who when I asked why they had not joined previously, say that they didn't because they really trusted the employer so much and never thought they would be treated in such a way. 

As a trade union rep for over 30 years, I can say without a shadow of a doubt, that it can be amongst the most frightening and stressful experiences of your life, to try and deal with a serious employment issue by yourself. 

So if you work in any organisation that provides public services (NHS, Local Government, Police or Justice staff, Utilities, FE/HE, voluntary, charities, housing associations, 3rd sector or private employers who provide public services) then join via https://joining.unison.org.uk/join-unison-today/

If you work for another employer, check out this TUC website "Union finder" to see who you should join https://www.tuc.org.uk/join-a-union

Newham Voices - November 2021: "Sweep fly-tippers off the streets"

Check out the latest edition of "Newham Voices - an independent news service for people who live and work in one of London’s most vibrant, diverse and exciting areas".

It is out in print and online and is a truly independent newspaper. I like that it reports the positive about Newham Council when it feels we do well yet will also report on the negative about us.  Such even handiness is exactly what Newham needs from an independent news service. 

You can pick up a free print copy in various local cafes and businesses and financially support here https://newhamvoices.co.uk/support-us/  

Some of the stories and features in this months edition:-

Beckton call for club for younger children
News Newham Voices - 30 October 20210
The warmest applause of the Council meeting of 18 October was reserved for Councillor Sarah Ruiz (Custom House) who presented a petition on behalf of the children of class 4V at North Beckton Primary School.

Local Shops in Focus
Opinion Newham Voices - 30 October 20210
“We must understand our retailers’ daily grind before we shower them with yet more bureaucratic sounding papers or web based gabby discourse.”

Celebrating 25 years since Forest Gate welcomed Rock Against Racism
Culture Newham Voices - 30 October 20210
On 12 November 1976 at the Princess Alice pub, Carol Grimes and the Boogie Band performed at the first Rock Against Racism gig.

Poetry in Mind: Dreaded Figures
Features Newham Voices - 30 October 20210
Reflections on the poetic side of Newham life. This month we feature a poem by Nicole Blythe

Hammers need fire power, but Moyes steers them to fourth
Sports Newham Voices - 30 October 20210
Mickey Ambrose on the state of football home and away, plus have your say on how the game is run.

Lack of transparency in Covid-19 Report criticised
News Newham Voices - 30 October 20210
“The report is too general, almost resembling I’m tempted to mention Orwellian newspeak,” said Councillor Neil Wilson (Plaistow South).

‘But… what were you wearing?’: an insight into the torrent of sexual harassment in...
Youth Voices Newham Voices - 30 October 20210
Tala Ahmadi, member of our Youth Voices panel, share a personal story of sexual harassment.

Sports Shorts
Sports Newham Voices - 30 October 20210
Our reporter Neandra Etienne's regular round-up of the local sports scene.

A golden night for Renewal Programme
News Newham Voices - 30 October 20210
On the night of 22 October, the Renewal Programme took over Old Stratford Town Hall to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Planning for the future with Sphere decision due
News Newham Voices - 30 October 20210
A decision on the controversial plan to build the MSG Sphere, a 21,000 capacity concert venue next to Stratford station, is due by the end of 2021.

Street Canvass: West Ham Ward 28.10.21

This collage is from yesterday's street surgery in West Ham ward. My Councillor colleague, John Whitworth and myself ,was joined by Junaid and Ash (who is a new member of our ward). For the first time, in my experience, all 4 of us had access to the Labour Party "doorstep" app on our phones. 

This effectively meant there was no "board runner" (before this app canvassers had to wait to be told who to call at and then report back any info to the "board runner to record on paper, which would then have to be later on inputted online) and we were able to move and speak to more residents far, far faster than before. 

I picked up quite a lot of case work as a local Councillor - outstanding repairs (Housing Association), refuge staff leaving bins on pathways blocking disabled residents; more serious pavement trip hazards; ASB; payments for residents self isolating due to Covid and a long but respectful conversation with a proud Brit resident of Indian origin, who felt that Labour was "anti-Indian".  I hope at the end of this conversation he had changed his mind.  

We will hopefully be canvassing every Thursday from now on at 5.30pm to 7pm, meeting outside the ATL Café at 125 Plaistow Road, E15. Best to check out our ward Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Westhamward beforehand. On Saturday's we support solidarity campaigning in other wards. 

West Ham History - "1918 Influenza epidemic - over 1,000 deaths"

 

This morning there was a post on the (excellent) Facebook site "Newham History" on a pamphlet published in 1986 to mark the 100th anniversary of the old West Ham Borough (now part of Newham).

It mentioned that the 1918 flu epidemic killed "over a 1000 people" in West Ham. So far I believe that there has been 666 deaths from the covid pandemic in Newham. 

The population of Newham in 1918 was a little higher than nowadays. Today it is around 350,000 but in 1921 the population of West Ham alone peaked 318,500 and in 1911 was 133, 847 in East Ham (West Ham and East Ham were joined in 1965 to form Newham).

UPDATE: these figures for 1918 flu deaths may be too low 

The November 9, 1918, edition of the Stratford Gazette reported 240 deaths that week alone in the old county of West Ham, risen from 100 for the previous seven days. In the former borough of East Ham, 134 people died, up from 67 the week before.

Not In Our Name: Emergency motion to UNISON Greater London Regional Council on TRFC faction attempted Coup

On Tuesday 2 November there will be a virtual meeting of the UNISON London Regional Council. All branches can send delegates to this meeting. 

At this meeting we will debate the following Emergency Motion 1 Received from the Greenwich Local Government Branch 

NOT IN OUR NAME 

We note with extreme concern the actions taken by the NEC at their meeting of the 6th October 2021 to vote to amend UNISON rules in breach of Rule N1 which states “Rules shall not be amended except by a resolution passed at a National Delegate Conference by two thirds majority of those delegates voting in favour or in the case of a card vote, at least two-thirds of the votes cast.”

Therefore exceeding their authority and breaching UNISON rules. Furthermore the NEC has no mandate to make these decisions which potentially puts UNISON in legal jeopardy. 

The actions of the NEC in voting for rule changes and thereby bypassing the sole power invested in National Delegate Conference to change rules as set out in Rule N1 brings our union into disrepute and likely to discourage our membership. 

One of the aims of UNISON as set out in Rule B2.5 “To promote and safeguard the rights of members to have an adequate opportunity to participate in the initiation and development of policy making, through meetings, conferences,, delegations and ballots, and to encourage the maximum democratic debate, together with the right to campaign to change policy, while at all times acting within the rules and agreed policy.” 

The actions of the NEC to try and amend rules without any consultation with the wider union also seems to breach this rule as well, at least in spirit. 

Celebrating their majority in the NEC, “Time for Real Change” candidates stated #TimeForRealChange has a collective vision for change. UNISON members are at the heart of that vision. We are determined to make ‘member-led’ more than just a turn of phrase in UNISON.” 

Obviously “member-led” and “members are at the heart of that vision” does not involve consulting any of the Devolved Nations, Regions, Branches or members about any changes. the NEC propose.

We ask Regional Council to agree the following: 

1.To register the disgust of the Greater London Regional Council about the misuse of power by the newly elected NEC members and the flagrant breaching of UNISON rules by trying to amend UNISON Rules and bypassing National Delegate Conference. 

2.To request the roll call of NEC members who attended the meeting and how they voted at the meeting. 

3 To call upon Greater London UNISON branches to pass motions to request that the General Secretary call a Special Delegate Conference in line with UNISON rule D 1.2.2
(D 1.2.2 A Special Delegate Conference shall be convened on receipt by the General
Secretary, within any two-month period, of requisitions to that effect, stating the business to
be transacted, from branches representing not less than 25% of the Union’s membership) 

To debate the breach of rules and to insist that in future the NEC apply the rules of the union in the correct and proper manner and take account of any legal advice they receive from UNISON’s in-house legal team".

UNISON Greater London activists met with Christina McAnea ahead of tomorrow's government spending review.

 

 

UNISON Greater London activists met with Christina McAnea ahead of tomorrow's government spending review.

Our message to Rishi Sunak is clear: The government must find the money for the pay rise our members deserve.

Check out Christina's blog here https://www.unison.org.uk/news/2021/10/blog-the-government-tries-to-look-like-its-giving-but-its-taking-away/

Vital services are turning to dust. But you can help stop them being lost...

Find out how at http://unison.org.uk/SOS #PlugTheGap #SaveOurServices

UNISON wins over £1.7m for members in a single month

 

"Almost 200 victories in a month shows the value of the union’s personal injury legal assistance scheme, which is free to use, win or lose

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea hailed “an incredible achievement for our members”, as almost 200 personal injury cases, worth over £1.7m in settlements, were won in a single month this summer.

Much of the work that the union does around settlements goes unnoticed, but, working with legal partners Thompson’s, this represents an incredible service to members.

UNISON’s personal injury legal assistance scheme is completely free to use, win or lose, with no deductions from any compensation obtained.

It enables the union to secure justice for members who are injured at work and, in calling employers to account, this also means we make our workplaces safer for others too.

The scheme is comprehensive, extending to members and their families when they are injured outside work – such as in road traffic accidents – on the same completely free basis.

Helen Buczynsky, UNISON’s legal officer who coordinates the personal injury service, said: “Our members deserve a strong safety net when they have suffered a personal injury at work, and that is where we come in.

“We are very proud of what we have achieved for our members – we have won over 190 settlement cases, worth over £1.7m in August alone.”

 

The importance of having lateral flow tests

 I take a lateral flow test before every time I meet people in a potentially "risky" situation. So far, so good. 

	Dear John Gray Test date: 23 October 2021 Your coronavirus lateral flow test result is negative. It’s likely you are not infectious. But a negative test is not a guarantee, and there’s still a chance you may be infectious. Keep following coronavirus advice including: regular handwashing social distancing wearing a face covering where recommended If you’ve been traced as a contact of someone who tested positive, you may need to self-isolate.  Find out at https://www.nhs.uk/coronavirus and read ‘Self-isolation and treating symptoms’. Reporting your results It is important that you keep reporting all of your test results, whether they are positive, negative or void. Reporting every test result: helps the NHS to monitor the spread of the virus helps scientists learn more about the virus provides more accurate data that saves lives supports people and communities across the UK

Beer, Darts, Curry, Beer

 off message

Back from a good night out in London West End.  Played my first game of darts in a wonderful pub for God knowns how long? Great Punjab meal. Pubs and restaurants appear quiet and safe.