Harriet, Hilary and Jon strut their stuff in West Ham

A bit of Westminster village came to the East End last night (only 150m from a real “Albert Square” E15). Lyn Brown MP and West Ham CLP has organised two hustings for deputy leadership candidates. (Sponsored by London UNISON Labour Link). These are not nationally organised Labour Party or socialist society events. The candidates couldn't attend the same night, so we organised two meetings, the first was last night. It is I think good for the party that a local CLP (with the enthusiastic support of its MP and her hard working parliamentary assistants – and UNISON of course) can organise and run such events. On Tuesday 29th 7.30pm doors open /8.00pm start, same location, same time, there will be Peter Hain (now confirmed), Alan Johnson and Hazel Blears. The West Ham CLP Chair is Cllr Conor McAuley (standing above).

There were about 100 people present. Which was not bad considering it was European cup final thingy. It was good to see a lot of trade union levy payers attend and participate. London Assembly member John Biggs had written to all UNISON members who lived in West Ham inviting them. It was held in the main assembly hall of Sarah Bonnell (Girls secondary) – now a “specialist language college” which is a state school which traces its route back to 1777. A Sarah Bonnell left £3,500 in her will for the setting up of a school for "poor girls" in West Ham. The School was also open to a wide range of community groups that night.

It was nice to see all the candidates arrive in the same way as ordinary members. No big government limos. I had to go and find Harriet who had been dropped off at the wrong end of the school. As was Jon, it’s a big site, with an interesting one way system outside. Hilary was the only one who managed to park directly outside the main entrance of the school (car radio tuned to the football).

All the stewards were wearing “UNISON steward” armbands. Which I think lead to some candidates to think that we were picketing!

As one of the stewards (and general “headless chicken” gofer) I did not really have a chance to listen properly to the speeches and the response to questions. My impression was that all of them had a different take on the job; however, they all performed very well. A comrade who was present did say he would write something up on the candidates performance. I’m always welcome to post sensible stuff. If not I will gave a go after Tuesday.

The next husting will take on Tuesday 29 May, same time, same location.

Many thanks to the top Sarah Bonnell Community caretakers and the Community development manager.

Better Safety, Better Services

Good turn out at safety protest held yesterday at Tower Hamlets new “Homeless Persons Unit”. The protest was staged at the opening of the unit to protest at the removal of safety screen for staff (see post). Management are refusing to budge. We should now move to ballot members for strike action. I will post a copy of Mick Holders (London Hazards) critical report on the new office and my own trade union safety inspection report on union reps “health & safety” in next few days. Other safety reps can possibly use, if their employers are inappropriately threatening to remove security screens from front line services. Will keep you updated.

Reminder - East London Deputy Leadership Debates 23 & 29 May

Lyn Brown MP, West Ham CLP and London UNISON “Labour Link” invite you to

Two Deputy Leadership Debates

Both at Sarah Bonnell School, Deanery Road, Stratford, E15 4LP. (click on link for map) 10 minutes walk from Statford Station (via Deanery Road) and free on site car parking (enter Manby Street only).

Debate 1 Wednesday 23rd May 2007 (7:30pm for 8:00pm start)
Confirmed speakers Harriot Harman, Jon Cruddas, Hilary Benn

Debate 2 Tuesday 29th May 2007 (7:30pm for 8:00pm start)

Confirmed Speakers Peter Hain, Alan Johnson, Hazel Blears

Time for Questions - Collection and Raffle
All Labour Party members and political fund-paying members of affiliated Trade Unions welcome.

LQ Social Slum landlord of the Year?

On Saturday I helped out at our local Labour MP, Lyn Brown, “Community Coffee Morning” for residents of Green Street West ward, (West Ham CLP London). All the ward councillors are currently (paper) members of “disRespect”. Their only ward in Newham. Since the disRespect councillors are non functioning, there was a lot of non-parliamentary case work which I could help out with.

Two tenants of London & Quadrant, a big registered social landlord (housing association, which manages nearly 50, 000 homes, mostly in London and the South East), arrived independently of each other, to ask for help over about the management of their block (definitively not the picture on the left) of 11 flats, which L&Q runs.

They complained that street prostitutes used the secluded rear car park of the block for “business” and local youths to smoke drugs. Also, that the letter boxes for residents were being constantly broken into and post stolen. Lyn promised to write to LQ.

Being an Estate officer (and therefore an instinctive cynic – shame on me) I decided to stop off on the way home and check things out at the block. I must admit that I was pretty horrified on what I found. The car park at the rear of the block was insecure and secluded, obviously perfect for anti-social behaviour of all sorts. However, it was the condition and position of tenant's post boxes that made me stand and stare. They were on an external wall facing the rear car park. There appeared to be no security apart from some low power communal bulk heads (lights). The post boxes were cheap and nasty. Any 15 year old with a screwdriver could jemmy them open (as you can see) under cover of darkness.

Now, I will admit that my own estate (an inner London council housing estate) is not perfect and has its “problems”. However, it is clear that these LQ tenants do not have what we most of us take for granted, a safe and secure postal service. They are effectively disfranchised from a big chunk of every day life.

The tenants praised the local LQ staff but felt that they were unsupported by senior management and constantly being changed (always a sign of organisational problems)

The letter boxes need to be either repositioned inside the block (protected by the door entry system?), or much better protected or maybe there should be individual letter plates to each flat front door? I will also write to LQ about this stupid situation on behalf of the ward “Labour Action” team. Also copy to top Labour GLA member, John Biggs, who I have no doubt will be equally unimpressed. LQ need to get their act together.

Health & Safety protest – Monday 21 May Bethnal Green

(UNISON branch press release) “Tomorrow morning Tower Hamlets staff will be protesting at the lack of a screened reception at the new council Homeless Unit (sorry this is late - see my previous post on this issue)

“Whilst they welcome the bright and friendly reception area in a more accessible location for local people, they are concerned about the lack of safety screens. An independent Health and Safety report confirmed the unions (UNISON and GMB) fears that the low unscreened reception disks represent a real safety risk.

A UNISON spokesperson said "We want to give the best service possible to Homeless People. Unfortunately over recent years the Council and government policy have seen Council homes sold off and inadequate building of social housing. Rules on providing homes for homeless have got tougher and tougher. Inevitably in a minority of cases the understandable frustrations of homeless people, sometimes facing desperate circumstances, are taken out on staff they see. There have been dangerous incidents in the past. We believe a screened environment provides safety for staff, and enables them to provide the best service possible for local people".

What this means in real money is that staff trying to give a good service in very difficult circumstance are going to be at much greater risk of serious assault (or worse). Screens have been removed and there is no adequate protection for staff from being assaulted by clients. If management do not provide a safe working environment there will be a ballot for strike action. We have got no choice.

Picture above is of HPU safety reps Mohammed Yunis (GMB), Agnes Rogers (UNISON) and Kieran Floyd (UNISON) with management during the inspection last Wednesday.

I'll post what happened tomorrow.

“Building Stronger Unions - organising in the context of global capital”

On Thursday I spent an interesting few hours at the “Union Idea’s Network” (UIN) first ever conference, held in London Metropolitan University. About 100 people attended, seemed to be a mix of trade union representatives and academics. Quite a few young people and a very high proportion of women (unlike most trade union meetings I attend). The UIN is the “online website, supported by the TUC, bringing together trade unionists and academics to exchange ideas and information to stimulate debate and support action” (TUC).

I think UIN was only set up last year, the on-line forum doesn’t seem to be very active but it is early days. It has 960 registered users on its website. There is a fair amount of useful articles, research and information available as well. Mostly though written by academics for academics. There is a desperate need for new ideas and new ways of thinking in the Trade Union movement. We have got to evolve or die.

The conference was aptly called “Building Stronger Unions - organising in the context of global capital”. TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady was the keynote speaker. Below are some extracts from her speech that I found particularly important to think about.

'None of us should underestimate just how dramatically globalisation is reshaping capitalism, nor the profound implications this must have for how unions must organise” …. “growing popularity of new forms of pirate capital exempt from rules of the game, including private equity, hedge funds and the appropriately named vulture funds”…. “Now - more than ever - we need to think globally and act globally” …'Perhaps the only way unions can stand up to the multinationals is by taking them on at their own game”….'Unions also need to reach out to all workers. Moving beyond traditional union strongholds, to create new union bases for the future” Finally
'But though global economic change represents a huge challenge for us, it also signals a genuine opportunity. We may not be able to stop globalisation, but we can work to shape it to progressive ends both here in the UK and internationally, articulating a compelling alternative vision of the global economy rooted in workers' real concerns. One based around decent work, opportunity for all, and the case for investment in housing, healthcare, childcare, transport and education. A vision of an economy that treats people as human beings, not just human resources.

I think she is convinced that if we properly organise we can restrain and even shape Globalisation.

Doug Miller from the ITGLWF and Paula Hamilton from the ITWF spoke about the complex supply trains of multinational companies. Doug mentioned that NIKE has at least 700 suppliers. He called for Multinational “buyers” to take affirmative action to promote trade unions in sub-contractors, not to just passively support “free association” of labour. They should insist in contracts there is a clause against victimisation of factory trade union organising committees. Paula spoke of the frustration many trade unions felt since the real “employer” of workers refused to talk to them directly and they had to deal with 3rd parties all the time. For example, Marks and Spencer’s design, price, specify materials, approve subcontractors, insist on certain suppliers etc for their clothing suppliers. They, not the actual owners of the clothing factories are the real employers of the factory workforce.

I was slightly disappointed that the potential importance of workers capital (trade union members pension funds and other collective investment. Often we are the owners of companies that exploit workers) wasn’t recognised. Trade unions need to do more work on this issue.

Professor Jeremy Waddington, Manchester University and Bronwyn McKenna, Director of Organising and Membership, UNISON talked about “Organising in Europe”. I was amazed on the low level of trade union membership in France. I think Jeremy said it was only 8%, with only about 4% in the private sector. Despite this, trade union demonstrations in Paris sometimes attract more marchers than the entire national membership. It there some sort of trade off – the lower the level of membership, the higher the level of mobilisation? Bronwyn talked about the future being strategic alliances between European trade unions not mergers. There are two many legal, organisational and political differences to overcome. Flexible alliances are needed.

Professor Jane Wills, Queen Mary, University of London and Martin Smith, National Organiser, GMB talked about Organising amongst low paid and subcontracted workers

Ken Livingstone and the GLA have introduced a London Living wage for his staff and contractors. This is now £7.20 per hour. There are estimated to be 400, 000 workers in London who earn less than that. Jane phrased the work of London Citizens. Martin took part in a survey of “sweat shops” in Tower Hamlets about 5 years ago. It discovered widespread exploitation of local garment workers. Many had thought that the sweat shops had been priced out by overseas competitors. For basic manufacturing this is true but for “finishing work” it is still often more effective to carry this out close to the final market. Especially if you exploit the workers. The GMB are thinking about carrying out another survey.

There was practically no discussion about the role of trade union “Political” power or campaigning. Strange in one way seen this was the day after McDonnell conceded defeat in the Labour leadership. In questions I did point out that despite the obvious problems and tensions, it was still in the interests of trade unions to support the Labour Party. I used the example of what would happen to the GLA “Living wage” if Ken is kicked out in the elections next year and the Tories take control? I think everyone present knew the answer. Surprisingly my point went down quite well.

In all a very good conference and I would recommend trade unionists have a look at the UIN website and consider attending any future events.

Leadership Elections: Treachery, Forgery or Hogwash ?

Did someone forge Marsha Singh signature on a nomination paper for John McDonnell? Why are some of JM supporters waging vicious and very personal “Kamikaze" attacks against Jon Cruddas? Rumour mill is going into overdrive, I have been doing some digging but as a Westminster village outsider, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of such reports. But they do reflect what many people appear to believe.

Marsha Singh is reported in the Guardian and the Telegraph & Argus (Pinkie and Perky) to claim that he only signed a nomination paper for Michael Meacher and that the nomination paper that was sent in apparently from him for McDonnell was forged. He clearly denies ever signing for McDonnell. Many Meacher MP supporters (I use the term “many” in the strictest literal sense, as more than 3 or even how many can you fit into a telephone booth sense… ) now claims that they were so angry at this “forgery” that this is the reason why they refused to back McDonnell. Hmmm.

Grimupnorth (my best ever mate comrade) claims (without linking the source?) that Alan Simpson MP and Mike Wood MP, state that it was "agreed" to transfer the “vote”? Not sure how this could happen unless this is an admission that they did forge his signature (at best thinking they had his “permission”) or that Marsha Singh is lying and that he signed two sets of nominations – one for Meacher and one for McDonnell (and then one for Brown?).

Grayee best guessimate is that someone did forge his Marsha Singh signature thinking that this was a little “white lie” since he had offered his support to Meacher and Meacher had urged his supporters to support McDonnell.

The plot thickens about the abuse that poor old Jon Cruddas is getting from some far left sites (I can link if you want). The unspoken reason is apparently this – Jon “promised” to nominate McDonnell for leader (if true a “coup”) if McDonnell supporters voted for him as deputy leader. A number (refer to definition of “many” above) of McDonnell supporters did nominate Jon.

The accusation is that Jon deliberately broke this deal and once he got the votes for deputy leader he then voted for Brown.

Grayee best guessiestimate is that Jon did wait a little while to nominate Brown for Leader. However, I cannot believe that someone with his political talents would ever agree to support McDonnell in return for their votes. Maybe there was a cock-up or maybe there was wishful thinking? Maybe this is just bitter recriminations against a “Left” candidate who was actually nominated?

Leadership Elections: The Story So Far?

Interesting results so far. It appears that McDonnell (I’m going to try to be as objective as possible – probably not successfully) is struggling to get 45 nominations. Which I find fascinating. If the “Hard-ish Left” cannot even get 12.5% of PLP nominations (and I think that each MP can actually nominate up to 3 candidates) then I think we may be seeing something momentous happening. This could be Blair’s lasting legacy to the Party?

Still, wait and see. Perhaps he is holding back support to build up media interest? (Surely no politician could be so naive?). I must admit that I don’t see many of the “usual suspects” missing from the list of his declared supporters who actually filled out and returned nomination forms.

Personally I would have loved there to have been a real contest for the Leadership. Peter Hain would have made a convincing opponent to Gordon Brown. A conviction Blairite could also have posed a real, meaningful challenge. McDonnell would be better than nothing. But, assuming he manages to get enough nominations to stand. It is clear (to me anyway) that there he has no widespread support and the “Hard Left” is completely marginalised in the Party. MP’s would not dare to ignore their CLP’s or trade union affiliates if they felt that there was any significant support for McDonnell.

So, in one way it would be pointless to have a “contest for the stake of a contest”, since the real test of Labour Party opinion will not happen because Brown is not facing a mainstream “left” or “right” challenge.

So Hazel, Peter, Harriet and Alan have enough nominations. I assume that Jon will get one more nomination? Maybe the debate about the future direction of the Party will take place in the deputy leadership election?

UNISON National Labour Link committee meet tomorrow to decide on who (or if) to recommend to members. UNISON has made it clear that no-one but this committee will make recommendations on behalf of “Labour Link”. There is no trade union “block” vote and UNISON levy payers will have a secret ballot to vote for candidates.

However, the unions will be influential. The sensible announcement that UNISON and GMB (together they have in membership about a third of the 3.3 million trade unionists who will have a vote!) are working together to “maximise” influence over the leadership elections also seems to me to be another indication that we might be on the road to merger.

Nominations update - 6pm Tuesday 15 May (From Labour Party website).

Candidates for the leadership and deputy leadership of the Labour Party have received the following number of nominations as of 6pm on Tuesday 15 May.

Candidates for Leader of the Labour Party
Gordon Brown
282 nominations
John McDonnell
27 nominations

Candidates for Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
Hilary Benn
34 nominations
Hazel Blears
48 nominations
Jon Cruddas
44 nominations
Peter Hain
49 nominations
Harriet Harman
60 nominations
Alan Johnson
64 nominations

Leadership Election – Join the Labour Party: Get a Vote!

Quick post on the email no doubt many of us received today from Peter Watt, the Labour Party General Secretary, urging us to encourage Labour Party supporters to join the Party by June 1 and still get a vote for the Labour Party Leadership and Deputy Leadership.

By co-incidence, I spoke today to a GMB steward who lives in West Ham (my CLP). I asked him if he was a member of the Party. He said no, he gave some reasons why – including the cost! When I told him that trade union members can pay £1 per month he was astonished and said he would consider joining.

Now, if you can afford it, I would encourage everyone to pay the proper rate of £3 per month to join the Party (just over the cost of one pint of Stella in London – sorry I have been too long in the “Smoke” and I’m now a confirmed lager drinker). The literature does not make it particularly clear however, that the “reduced rate" for Labour Party membership also includes trade unionists as well as “unwaged”. There is a mass of trade union members who already pay a voluntary excess on their subs to the Party , who are probably not going to be very active in the Party, but are willing to join the Party (at £12 per year) to show support.

Interesting that the Party is doing this push. Some might think that there should have been a “cut off” point for eligibility to vote. Like there is for elections for prospective parliamentary candidates. Having a vote will be useful for CLP membership secretaries to use to chase "lapsed" members into paying their dues.

I understand from a few “Left” blogs that several thousand “Marxists” (inverted comma’s - sorry can’t find a source, but I have seen it I think on the socialist unity sites? - honest) deliberately joined the Labour Party solely to vote for Tony Benn to be deputy leader in 1981. Didn’t do him much good but I assume the Party enjoyed the subs.

Maybe it would be an idea to make it clear that a percentage of subs from new members are used to pay for a “thank you” party for Tony Blair? (Joke)

And while you are at it - join a trade union! If you work in public services then you must join UNISON (and make sure you tick the “Labour Link” aka “Applied Political Fund” levy box - you have until May 16 to get a levy vote). If you don’t work in Public services then check out the TUC "Work Smart" – Union finder site. Try to join a Labour Party affiliated site if at all possible. Check out TULO to find affiliated unions.

Finally, check out the stuff you can buy to mark the 2007 leadership election (see photos above)!

2nd East London meeting arranged for Deputy Leader Candidates

The 2nd East London event for members to meet the candidates will take place on 8pm Tuesday 29 May 2007. Alan Johnson, Hazel Blears and Peter Hain (tbc) will be attending. (1st meeting with Hilary Benn, Jon Cruddas and Harriet Harman takes place on the 23 May).

This has been organised by West Ham Labour Party and Lyn Brown MP (sponsored by London UNISON Labour Link).

Both events will be taking place at Sarah Bonnell School, Deanery Rd, Stratford, E15 4LP. Only 8 minutes walk from Stratford Bus and Train Station (free street car parking nearby)

Neighbouring Constituency Labour Party’s will be invited. Labour Party members and trade union levy paying affiliates only.

For further information contact John Whitworth (CLP Education Officer) jhnwhitworth@Yahoo.co.uk 020 8257 9587 or Alan Griffiths (CLP Secretary) alangriffiths_per@yahoo.co.uk 07773 884339