Ajitha's Last Count

Picture is from last night just before midnight at Newham Dockside. We were just about to go out and take part in the bi-monthly Rough Sleeping Count. It was also the "Last Count" to be organised by Newham "Population Manager", Ajitha Sajeev, who had been awarded the BEM in 2020 for services to the homeless. 

Ajitha has worked for Newham Council for 33 years and will be sadly missed. 

Homeless outreach workers, volunteers and local Councillors are split up into teams of 2 or 3 to tour Newham in the early hours to count the number of Rough Sleepers. 

I went again with Newham Officer, Aidan and we came across and spoke to one rough sleeper bedding down on freezing concrete paving, with only a thin blanket. Aidan took his details and discussed help and support. We did come across a tent pitched on a green area but were unable to establish whether anyone was in it and did not want to disturb anyone who might have been. So we took location details and also passed them back to Ajitha when we returned to Newham Dockside. 

In the early morning a follow up visit of outreach workers go to the Rough sleepers found by the count teams to try and assist them 

The information gained during the count is also used by the Council and the Government to assess the effectiveness of the various homeless initiatives taking place in Newham to support Rough Sleepers and help them get off the streets. 

Thanking Branches for UNISON NEC Nominations

Tonight my UNISON branch (Greater London Housing Associations) nominated Denise and I to be a candidate for the Community NEC seats (representing 80,000 UNISON Charity and Housing Association members)

That makes 10 branch nominations that I am aware of so far. We will be writing to branches to thank them for their support. Branch nominations close on February 14. 

Below is a list of other recommended candidates standing in London and for national seats. I will post recommendations from colleagues on other regional/nation candidates. 

Greater London General	Eddie Brand
Great London Female	Sonya Howard
Greater London Female	Clara Mason
Greater London Low Pay Reserved	Abiola Kusuro

 

 

 

Black Members Female	Manjula Kumari
Black Members Female	Tansaim Hussain Gul
Black Members Male	Ash Silverstone
Black Members Low Pay Reserved	Maria Albert
Disabled Members Female	Lady Lola
Young Members General	Cameron Thompson
Young Members Female	Micaela Tracey-Ramos

UNISON Living Webinar - 15 May 12.30 or 5.15pm

 

UNISON Living Webinar

Calling all UNISON activists and branch officers - Make your UNISON membership work for you! Thursday 15 May 2025 12.15pm for a 12.30pm start OR 5pm for a 5.15pm start (each session approx 1hr) Online, via Microsoft Teams There is no limit to the number of branch members who can attend, please encourage as many of your branch committee and activists as possible to attend.   You will know that apart from the provision of representation and collective bargaining rights, there are many other benefits to being a UNISON member.  With the current cost of living crisis many members will be considering ways to save money and so there is no better time to ensure all our members and potential members are aware of how to make the most of their membership. As activists and branch officers you are at the front-line of supporting members and encouraging fellow workers to join UNISON.  The aim of this webinar is to provide you with information on as many of the products and services that are available from our trusted UNISON Living providers.  The power of our 1.3 million members has secured the best deals exclusively for our members. Come along and hear from UNISON service providers on many of the benefits available, how to access them and how to make contact with service providers and what they can provide to you as activists and your branch.  The seminar will run for a maximum of 1.5 hours. https://msg.unison.org.uk/c/12QNTWV9JgZA3McY8

West Ham Ward Street Surgery - 25.1.25

 

Yesterday, I took part in a Street Surgery and canvass with my Councillor colleagues, John & Charlene, and local Labour Party activists in West Ham ward. We knocked on doors and spoke to residents, in and around Arthingworth Road, E15 about whether they had any issues regarding Newham Council services. 

I picked up case work about fly tips and outstanding disrepair issues (see hole in toilet ceiling bottom left of collage). I had an exchange of views with one rather grumpy resident who objected to the Labour Government "raising taxes". I pointed out that they had actually not raised taxes for working people and if they were to increase taxes for more doctors, nurses and teachers what would be wrong with that? He was not convinced. 

Most residents were pleased to see us and even if they had no issues to raise were happy to take leaflets with our contact details and to hear that we held a local surgery every Saturday Morning 10-11am (apart from Bank Holiday weekends).

We paid our respects to the Police memorial in Arthingworth Street to PC Nina Mackay who was tragically killed in the line of duty at this spot in 1997. 

Newham Labour Group Social

 

Yesterday evening there was an enjoyable social event organised by Newham Labour Group at a local Turkish restaurant, "Kohinoor Grill And Thrill" in Barking Road. 

As well as speeches by local MPs James Asser and Stephen Timms, there was guest speaker Rupa Huq MP, as well as contributions from The Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz, GMB Dean Gilligan and myself (London UNISON Labour Link had helped sponsor).

I was lucky (yet again) with the traditional Labour Party raffle and won a bottle of single malt Scotch donated by Cllr Neil Wilson. There was a number of other prizes including GMB Bird Boxes! 

Many thanks to my colleagues Cllr Simon Rush and Cllr Shantu Ferdous for organising this event. 

Sunset over Leyton Flats

 

Walking back home this evening with Gill along Leyton Flats, Epping Forest. The weather forecast for tomorrow is pretty dire, so not sure about "shepherd's delight". 

#HeartUnions week 10-16 February 2025

 

#HeartUnions week 10-16 February 2025 - Join in and let’s grow our movement

Can you run a recruitment stall in your local area? Run your event any time during #HeartUnions week, 10 - 16 February, or later if you need to. Sign up here to receive a pack of campaign materials, resources and guidance. There is a map of events on the Megaphone website here - make sure to add your event! The number one reason that people give for not joining a union is that they've never been asked. Can you be the person to ask? In #HeartUnions week people around the country will take to the streets to spread the word about why unions are vital for everyone at work, and they will encourage others to join a union. To grow our movement, we need more union members, more reps, more organisers, and more people to know about the power of being in a union. Can you run a recruitment stall or leafleting activity in your workplace or local area? We'll post you a bundle of resources and leaflets, and support you along the way. Sign up today Any queries, get in touch with campaigns@megaphone.org.uk (I am planning a stall during this week at work)

A better life at work: how UNISON’s making it happen

 

Hat tip UNISON Eastern region Labour Link

"The Employment Rights Bill is a game-changer for working people. It’s going through Parliament thanks to @unisontheunion members and other trade unionists.

Come along to one of our webinars to find out more and how you can get involved.

👉 https://eastern.unison.org.uk/events/tag/employment-rights-bill/"

UNISON NEC Elections: Team London & Members Together Recommendations

 

I am supporting my London colleagues Eddie, Clara, Sonya and Abiola for the above London seats and making recommendations regarding the the other national seats below.  Scan the QR code below to keep up with the campaign and receive updates. 

1st Labour Canvass in Forest Gate North 2025

 

This morning I joined Labour colleagues for my first canvass of 2025. It was led by local Councillor Rachel Tripp and we were joined by local activists and later by Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz. 

I live near by and know this area fairly well. While there was real problems over parking control and Anti-social behaviour, most residents I spoke to were fairly satisfied with Council services and the social housing stock (nearly all Housing Associations) appeared to be managed effectively. Rachel was recognised by a number of residents as their long standing and active local Councillor. 

There was complaints about Council parking enforcement being too lax but other complaints about them being too strict. Perhaps then the balance is about right? One of the canvassers, despite wearing a bright red "Labour & Co-op Party" hat, was asked by a resident if he was a Jehovah witness. I had an interesting conversation with one resident, who admitted that she had never voted but she would consider doing so in the future. I gave my view that the powers to be had never wanted working class people to have the vote in the first place and if we did not use it then they will try and take it away. 

The cost of living crisis is still hitting residents and they are genuinely worried about the economy and public services. I share their worries but asked them to judge the Labour Government on what it does in the next 4-5 years and not in its first 6 months. 

Afterwards we went to the "Wild Goose" Bakery for feedback, coffee and gossip. It had been a good session.   

Next week we will be out and about in West Ham ward.