Bullying the sick and vulnerable?

Wikipedia defines bullying “In colloquial speech, bullying often describes a form of harassment perpetrated by an abuser who possesses more physical and/or social power and dominance than the victim”

I’m just going to let off steam and have a rant (I can’t go into specifics) at the trend by many so-called “caring, responsible employers” to use discipline procedures and terminology to deal with very sick and vulnerable staff.

To make things clear I will only refer to what happens to staff who it is fully accepted by all sides, are genuinely chronically sick or have a very serious underlying medical condition. For example staff, who have recognised chronic mental health problems such as severe clinical depression, Bipolar disorder or Schizophrenia. Who are also doing all they can to manage or overcome their conditions.

However, some employers treat sick employees as “criminals” and have adopted sickness policies that send out extremely threatening “standard” letters and arrange “frightening” management meetings (“at which you could be dismissed”) for such employees. These letters are utterly unsympathetic, instructing employees to intend “Final Absence meetings” where they could receive written “Final Written warnings” for extensive periods during which they could be dismissed if there is any further sickness regardless of their disability.

Look, I’m not talking about someone where it is even suspected that they are “playing the system” (extremely rare) but people who it is recognised are chronically ill, even suicidal but employers still insist on sending out such letters. I had a case a few years ago when there was an employee off sick with a chronic mental health illness who was instructed to intend a “Final Absence Meeting” and given a written final written warning for 18 months over his sickness, even though he was hospitalised for his illness and confessed that he felt suicidal over the “written warnings”. The member felt that being “disciplined” in such a way for being ill meant it was their fault that they were ill. This just added to the illness.

If someone is very ill and there is no reasonable chance of recovery and all possible treatment, redeployment and adaptations seriously considered then there will have to be a process to end their employment. But that doesn’t mean employers should be allowed to bully vulnerable people out of a job.

I have no doubt that in the future (if it has not already happened) someone will kill themselves over such letters and warnings. What’s the best way to deal with these “rogue” employers? Will the New Commission for Equalities and Human rights do anything? Check out ban bullying at work day 7 November 2007

Shadwell Election Day (and Result)

Just back home from “post election” curry and chin wag at Zeera Restaurant, Mile End. Delicious as usual. Received text from usually very reliable source at the election count in Town hall. Not looking that good at the moment to be honest. At 00:40 Respect on 1400 votes and Labour on 900.

However, very good campaign by Labour Candidate Michael Keith and Tower Hamlets Labour Party. Picture of Labour committee room at Cable Street and the top cross London canvass team that I spent most of the evening with (from Barking, Croyden, Enfield, Tower Hamlets UNISON, Havering, West Ham CLP – sorry if I left you out) next to Watney market. Who says “knocking up” cannot also be fun!

I must admit that I thought that the campaign went quite well – usual thugs not about? no-one threw anything at me, no physical threats, no foul abuse etc. We will see. I won’t wait up much longer. But "Community Politics"? - has the well "respected" (pardon the pun) local Bengali businessman come up with the votes (ignore the SWP, they are just playing a mugs game in Shadwell)?

UPDATE 01:00 - Just about to post above when result came in - 97 Majority to Respect!

Well, dare I say success-ish rather than victory? 560 odd Respect majority slashed to 97? Not really I suppose but if Labour got this vote at next election then nearly all Respect Councillors will lose their seats and Gorgeous George would be thrashed if he stood against Jim Fitzpatrick. I’ll sleep on the result and come back later. No doubt Dick Tuck would have come up with a good line to express my current feelings.

Respect Shadwell Mass Meeting

While out campaigning tonight with UNISON and NUS Labour supporters in the Shadwell Council By-Election. I went past the venue of the Respect “Mass Public meeting” at a local school. Apparently tonight they are going to disclose some “top secret” Labour Party” document. Can’t wait!

Despite being just after the official starting time the venue did not seem to be very busy. Therefore I have taken the liberty of ordering a suitable venue for the next Respect “mass meeting" (see above right)

While I’m at it – striking sunset tonight over Shadwell Basin

Business Candidates Split Respect

“I do favour trade unionism. We need all the trade we can get, so we have to help them.”

So says business wing Respect candidate, Harun Miah, for the Shadwell by-election, Tower Hamlets, when interviewed about his views in the recent “Workers Weekly” article entitled “Respect - the party for everybody”. The by-election is this Thursday 9 August.

It is quite clear that Harun hasn’t a clue what trade unions are about – he seems to think we are some type of “trade body”?

It gets even more farcical when Harun reflects upon a certain sensitive subject that many on the left traditionally hold strong views about:

“As for socialism, it does provide some sort of justice, some sort of equality. I agree with that. As long as it doesn’t breach the rights of others. Of course, Respect has socialism as an element, but it’s not the only element, is it? There are other concerns. But I don’t mind”.

He appears concerned about any interference in the “rights” of property and capital perhaps? Can anyone interpret his remarks otherwise?

Despite attempts to underplay Harun’s business connections and portray him as only the owner of a local shop, it is now clear that many have been mislead about the extent of his considerable business interests and that of his family. He may well only own one business outright, but he has apparently significant shares in a number of other businesses, not only several local retail shops but also a money transfer business and property letting agency. Is the only reason that he is against the privatisation of council housing estates is that the “right to buy” is restricted?

Let alone the fact that Harun also declares in the interview that he is a “mate” of Michael Keith, the Labour Party Candidate? Talk about keeping your options open! The previous Respect councillor for Shadwell resigned calling the party “bickering, immature, self serving” and “dominated by militants”.

While the “Workers Weekly” interview was all well and good, there were a load of questions that were not raised with Harun? I assume that a SWP full time goon was present during the interview.

I for one would have been interested in Harun’s view on the “London Living Wage” and how much his own work force is paid per hour? (never mind the legal minimum wage), What sickness benefits are they entitled to? what about his views over gay rights? civil partnerships?, a women’s right to choose? (we know already that Galloway has serious form on this issue).

It appears that many rank and file SWPers have also had enough. The preferred SWP candidate - young, female activist Sultana Begum was not chosen at a selection meeting dominated by local businessmen. Recently a senior SWP activist was expelled for supporting the selection of such candidates in Birmingham. At least one senior member of the SWP has been disciplined by its central committee for attacking their link with Respect.

Apparently there is a growing revolt by core members refusing to join “Respect”. Many complain bitterly that female and gay members have been cold shouldered and excluded (to be polite) at Respect meetings. The links between certain Respect members and Jamaat-e-Islami quite rightly horrify many.

It is clear that many (not all) members of Respect are only interested in male dominated communal politics.

Trouble in mill? – roll on Thursday.

Labour Rally at Cable Street – Michael Keith “on the stump”

Yesterday there was an outdoor rally for Labour Candidate Michael Keith in the Shadwell by-election, Tower Hamlets. The rally took place in the garden area adjacent to the Battle of Cable Street Mural (see main photo) painted on the side of St Georges Town Hall.

There were about 80 supporters, mainly from the local Bangladeshi community. Speakers included most of the “great and the good” of Tower Hamlets Labour politics. First was Baroness Uddin, then Tower Hamlets Labour leader Denise Jones , Parliamentary Under secretary of State for Transport and local MP Jim Fitzpatrick, Labour Prospective parliamentary candidate for neighbouring Bethnal Green & Bow Rushanara Ali. Councillor Anwara Ali (and local GP) chaired the meeting.

They all praised Michael for the work he had done in the past for Shadwell and Tower Hamlets as a Councillor. Jim Fitzpatrick astonished the gathering (well, me anyway) with a confident and fluent 4 minute speech entirely in Sylheti. According to those next to me in the audience he spoke it very well! I have uploaded a 30 second clip of (poor quality video) of Jim in action onto You Tube.

Michael was last. He was literally a politician “on the stump” since he climbed upon the remains of a cut down tree stump (see photo). He then proceeded to give a well delivered and passionate speech about how important it is for the local area to return a Labour councillor and to turn away from the divisive policies of Respect. It went down very well.

Afterwards the canvassing continued. See Councillor (and Newham UNISON member) Bill Turner “on the knocker” in the Tarling estate. On Thursday there was a good show from Newham Labour Party. I heard that there were 25 “Newhamites” out and about in Shadwell.

Again very little sign of Respect campaigners. I saw Galloway briefly; it appears from speaking to other campaigners that he was up to his usual trick of using a megaphone to scream abuse and threats at Labour party activists. Charming bloke.

I’ve had a chance to read an interview with the Respect candidate and to do some digging - will try and post something interesting later tonight.

East London Sunset

Completely and unashamedly off message – last night in our part of East London, there was a spectacular sunset. Shepherds delight or what. This may not match the dramatic sunsets that many will see on holiday abroad or in more rural or seaside settings this year, but it was pretty damn beautiful for all that (double click).

Normal service will resume next with a report on today’s Labour Party rally in Shadwell and diss-Respect.

I could of course make a link about the pending sunset of the Respect Party.... But I wouldn’t want to associate something so lovely with something so ugly.

East London 5 Star NHS Service

Today I had a first appointment with a NHS physio for a recurring knee problem. I arrived on time, went straight up to the reception (there was no queue) they confirmed my details and asked me to take a seat. Within 5 minutes the physio came into the reception and we went into his surgery where he questioned me and examined my knee. He discussed the possible cause and treatment, put a bandage on and recommended another appointment next week. The reception (again no queue) made an appointment for me for the following Thursday! The premises were newly refurbished, clean, bright and tidy.

I’ve had a problem with pains in my left knee for a year or two, and being a cowardly custard over this sort of thing, I have put up various excuses about not doing anything about it until my better half put her foot down (pardon the pun) and told me to stop whinging and do something about it.

My point is that I could not have had better treatment today for my medical problem. The publicly provided NHS is not perfect, there were a few hick ups on the way to today's appointment, however, I challenge anyone visiting Harley Street today for a similar problem and paying huge amounts of money, to have had a better service than I received.

In fact the only down side is that the physio was obviously full of "cold". He apologised, but said that symptoms had come on quickly and he hadn’t wanted to cancel appointments without any notice. Nuf said?

Film Rate your Blog

Hat trick to Canadian Labour blogger Wernerpatels for the link to a Mingle2 Website which claims to assess the “film rating of your blog”. You just type in the URL of your blog, face book or web site and they will “rate it”. They came out with a “parental guidance” rating for this blog.

Apparently, since the word “gun” comes up once and “murder” twice, in my previous posts. Which I assume refers to these on gun and knife crime. Not sure that this earns a PG rating? The Sun and the Daily Mirror is supposed to have a reading age of 9 or less (I think)? God knows what they and the Daily Hate would get under this assessment!

UPDATE: in fact I have just used it to rate the Daily Hate and it came back as "Restricted"! Wish that everyone who bought it had to still get the permission of their parents. Especially pensioners. Do wonders for its circulation.

Thieving, Robbing Bankers UPDATE

Update to last Thursday’s post about being charged a fee by a dodgy ATM. I emailed my bank to complain and eventually today I received the following uninformative reply: -

"Thank you for your email.

Please be advised this is an independent link machine and we have no relationship with the ATM provider. I am unable to advise you how to raise a complaint other than to contact the ATM provider direct.

Regards

Irene
****** Bank

I have replied (as you do)

“This is a totally inadequate response. I believe that I have been deceived of money by a company who you or your agents authorised my account to be debited.

It is entirely unclear who or how I am supposed to contact this "ATM provider".

I wish to make an official complaint about this response. Please note that I do not blame any individual worker, rather senior management have failed to train or provide sufficient support to staff on how to properly answer enquires.

Please also email me a copy of your complaints procedures”.

I have also looked at my ATM receipt (which luckily I have not lost or eaten). It is headed “Cashpoint ATM” which I assume (but it’s not clear) refers to Cashpoint PLC. So I have emailed them as well to make a complaint. Let’s see what happens.

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?