Remembrance Sunday in West Ham

In a contrast to yesterday’s events this morning I attended the Remembrance Sunday service at the historic 12th century West Ham Parish Church of All Saints.

I think, like most people, it is important that we remember today the sacrifices past and present that British servicemen and women have made on our behalf.

Even if you don’t agree with today’s war in Afghanistan and Iraq, there are still ordinary British servicemen and women (and many UNISON members who are military reservists) risking their lives and this is a time to think of them and their families.

There were 4 remembrance services in Newham today. West Ham is a place shaped and still scarred by war. It was of course heavily bombed during the Second World War, killing thousands of civilians. On the church walls there was a standard of a local First World War “Old Contemptibles” association who were decimated in trench warfare. There was also a simple plaque to the Royal Marine bandsmen murdered by the IRA in Deal 1989 with the words “Thank you for the Music”. I assume a local connection? The British Nuclear Test Veterans Association had a newer looking plaque. With the words “All we seek is Justice”.

The West Ham service had local dignities such as Newham Civic Ambassador Councillor Omana Gangadharan present with the Council Mace (and bearer), the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, local Labour MP Lyn Brown, local Labour Councillors (including Councillor Winston Vaughan who I think saw active service in Aden? and Councillors who are Muslims) as well as the council's interim director of “children and young people services” Liz Graham.

There were serving soldiers (in combat uniforms – odd in a church but it’s an honest statement on such a day I suppose) from the local TA unit The Rifles (based just around the corner in West Ham Park). Their web site reports that 140 of their TA comrades based at Reading were flown out to the Helmand region of Afghanistan last month.

The Royal Legion were there, as were the local Sea cadets (some looking incredibly young), and scouts.

The congregation (as well as the TA soldiers and cadets) also reflected the community with many West Indian and African parishioners. The vicar himself, the Revd Stennett Kirby MA was black and he reminded the service of the (often forgotten) valuable contribution made by Black and Asian, Christan, Muslim and Hindu, commonwealth servicemen in British Wars. He pointed out that his own relatives had “proudly” served.

I felt that everyone present identified themselves as British regardless of race or colour. Perhaps we are getting like the Americans where it is argued that “the military” nowadays helps to “unify” that racially divided and complex nation? Not that this is any argument for “war”, of course.

His sermon was a careful balancing act between praising the obvious bravery and suffering of the troops currently at war with his equally obvious Christian abhorrence of war for practically any reason. He encouraged people that as well as praying for peace they should get involved and join political parties since this is where the power lies in this country to change things.

Ironically despite being a convinced atheist I enjoy such occasional religious services especially in historic churches. Maybe its just nostalgia? Being brought up nominally as an Anglican must have had some sort of impact I suppose?

The organ player and the choir were very good. The “Last Post” was played by the organ. I sang (very badly) the hymn “Jerusalem” in very different surroundings from the last time. Its lyrics “nor should my sword sleep in my hand” seemed to be at odds with the previous biblical reading ISAIAH 2 verses 1-5 which famously calls for swords to be beaten into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks.

The service ended with the singing the first two verses of the national anthem. The first verse went OK but hardly anyone knew the 2nd verse, so there was a pause and shuffle while we all had to look at the words in order of the service booklet.

All in all, a typically British finish to a very British ceremony.

Celebrating the Life of John Kelly-Chandler

After the Fremantle rally yesterday I went to a “Celebration” of the life of trade unionist John Kelly-Chandler (known widely as JKC) at Conway Hall in Red Lion Square. John (who was also known by employers as “that bearded grumpy bastard from the region” died last month from lung cancer age 59.

He was a UNISON regional organiser in Greater London region since 1991 covering health and local government branches. Recently he had been responsible for South East Region Health branches.

John had planned the celebration before he died. “No black ties or sombre clothes, no hymns or religion, no mourning but a celebration". He requested “Intermezzo” – Cavaleria Rusticana, “Across the Universe” (Beatles); “Imagine” (John Lennon) and “All you need is love” (Beatle) be played.

Readings were by colleagues and friends including the beautiful “Death is nothing at all”. UNISON health branch secretary Raz Dowdall read “Remember...” and acting UNISON Regional convenor Gloria Hanson read “If”.

Prior to working for UNISON, John was a leading lay activist in NALGO’s electricity section, a Shop Steward at West Ham Power Station. He rose to become the secretary of the CEGB Headquarters branch and took a leading role in the FUSE campaign against the privatisation of the electricity industry. He was elected to NALGO’s National Electricity Committee, eventually becoming its Chair and was also a member of NALGO’s NEC.

There were employees of UNISON (including our General Secretary Dave Prentis), their families and elected lay activists present.

Long time friend of John, Chris Remington, finished the tribute by reminding everyone that (I paraphrase) “John's politics was very simple, unsophisticated and non-sectarian... Members first.. build the union...always recognise that the future belongs to the next generation - so don't get in the way ....build gateways not obstacles...no false labels of left and right... at the close of each day be clear that an advance has occurred in the ideas of progress, of collective strength, of humanity, of unity".

Finally, if you would like to make a donation in memory of John, monies are being collected for the Cuba Appeal and will be used to refurbish the Havana Emergency Control Room. Please make cheques payable to UNISON care of Chris at UNISON Greater London Region.

The Fremantle Nightmare continues - March & Rally

There was a noisy and colourful march this afternoon by care home Fremantle UNISON strikers and supporters from Burnt Oak to Edgware. I think there were about 150 people in total. The march received a lot of support from passerbies and “toots” from Car horns.

I had a brief chat with the trade union web site Labourstart editor Eric Lee who was due to speak. Fremantle had threatened to take libel action against Labourstart over their coverage of this dispute.

Local Labour Party MP Andrew Dismore took part in the March with Local Councillors and Party supporters. He spoke at rally (see standing in photo next to Barnet UNISON branch secretary, John Burgess). UNISON Regional Secretary Linda Perks was next then I spoke briefly as well, but I had to leave before the end in order to go to a memorial service.

I pointed out that tens of thousands of public sector workers in London had been transferred into the private sector (myself included!). They had all been promised like Fremantle staff that there terms and conditions would be protected under TUPE. However, TUPE had failed to protect Fremantle staff (ironically due to gross management incompetence and opportunism), so in this dispute we need to defend the principle of TUPE protection. It is also a disgrace that in London, the richest capital in Europe that the workers who carry out hard, difficult manual work looking after the most vulnerable of clients in care homes are paid just over £6.60 per hour, and have had their sickness, overtime and holiday pay slashed.

NEC member Jon Rodgers, Former London Regional secretary Geoff Martin, sacked UNISON NHS activist Karen Reissman were also due to speak. Under threat Newham UNISON LG Chair Michael Gavan was also there.

Good Governance for the LGPS

The Local Government Pension Scheme is probably the largest scheme in the Country with about 3 million members and some £100 billion in assets invested all over the world.

I am just about to send off comments on a government consultation paper on its governance.

The sheer size and scale of the LGPS makes it imperative that there are good governance practices in place across the country. At the moment there is not. There is some good practice and some very rotten practice. This has got to change. Pensioners and council tax payers deserve better.

I’ve modelled the comments on the UNISON briefing paper. I’ve left it last minute as usual but other LG union reps have until 5pm today to email comments to Robertdothollowayatcommunitiesdotgsidotgovdotuk

My UNISON branch wishes to respond to the DCLG consultation process on this very important issue.

Most UNISON members value the LGPS. It is usually the only effective means of saving for their retirement and to protect their dependents while at work and when retired. We are willing to take action and even strike to protect our scheme and its benefits to retired members and their vulnerable dependants.

We understand that since as a pension scheme we have a statutory legal status, member’s legal rights are guaranteed by European Union regulations to protect our pension and make sure it is properly run.

It is nonsensical to suggest that our members do not bear any financial risk since the LGPS is a statutory scheme. Also, as owners of pension capital we have a duty and responsibility to ensure that our deferred pay is properly invested and the scheme adequately funded and governed.

Not least because if a scheme is underfunded then future benefits may well be slashed. Arguably the recent dispute over the LGPS was caused in part (not totally) by the failure of certain schemes to pay enough into their pension funds and to ensure that these funds were suitably invested.

This is unlike in the private sector where it is often possible due to scheme rules, legislation and real independent pension trustees to challenge employers who wish to cut benefits.

Our branch fully supports the position and objectives put forward by our national union.

We want our scheme to be consistent with all the 89 schemes and raise governance standards.

There should be minimum statutory guidance that sets the following bench mark.

1. That the scheme is run in the sole interests of the beneficiaries
2. That the assets are to be invested in the best interests of members and beneficiaries, and in the event of a conflict of interest the administration authority must ensure that investments are made in the sole interest of members and beneficiaries.
3. Delegation by the administrating authority of all pension fund activities to a main committee
4. A pensions and investment sub committees – for all administration of the fund and investment activity including investment allocation and management
5. Joint working parties on dispute resolution, discretions policy or any other issue
6. All of the above bodies should seek to have additional members, in equal numbers to councillors, made up from member nominated representatives (MNR) and beneficiary nominated representatives (BNM)
7. That MNR’s have the same status and voting rights as councillors in the administration and governance of the funds
8. That all or some may be nominated by their respective trade unions, in proportion to their national membership
9. Any admitted body employers representation should also contain this arrangement
10. Equality proofing should be applied to all current and proposed changes to committee and governance arrangements. A mechanism for carrying out equality impact assessments should be agreed with the TU Side as soon as possible.
11. There should be a model constitution and an AGM for each fund
12. There should be a national body of LGPS stakeholders, which meets to continually review governance arrangements
13. That MNR’s should be afforded facility time, training and other resources necessary for their effective performance
14. MNR’s give greater management stability for the funds as councillors are subject to regular democratic challenge, internal political command removal from office or removal from responsibility across or within the electoral cycle.
15. That all governance statements are published by each authority on their web sites and all of the 89 are published centrally on a CLG web site.
16. Sanctions imposed upon authorities that do not meet the bench mark established by the statutory guidance
17. Finally UNISON believes that trade union nominated MNR’s offer greater potential for compliance with the Myners code on consultation with LGPS contributors and beneficiaries.

Ban Bullying at Work Day - Nov 7

Wednesday 7 November is "Ban Bullying at Work" day.

So a suitable time to review your organisation's grievance procedure (or "harassment/discrimination" if you have one) and the health & safety policy regarding violence at work or occupational stress.

Let's have "zero tolerance" of bullying at work in all its forms. Use my stress questionnaire to assess problems in your workpace?

Fremantle: CEO paid £100k per year Staff £6.66 per hour

On Saturday 10 November there is a 24 hour strike by UNISON members who work for the Fremantle, the “not for profit” third sector nightmare (unless you are on its executive that is) care home company.

Barnet UNISON are campaigning to stop vulnerable ex-local authority care workers having their wages and working conditions slashed by Fremantle. Not only are already lowly paid workers having their basic wages being cut by about 30% but their sickness pay, holidays and overtime rates have also been chopped.

Meet 12:00 on Saturday 10 November 2007 at Watling Park (nearest station Burnt Oak Station – Northern line). Then Rally at St Alphage Church, Playfield Road, Edgware, HA8

Saint George the Trotskyist Dragon slayer

The SWP accuse George of being a Trotskyite Dragon slayer. You just couldn’t really make this stuff up. It’s been only a week since I last updated my blog on the latest idioticracy of diss-respect. (Yep, it’s true that a week is a long time in politics but Harold Wilson at the time was talking about serious players, not these jokers. Check out also the post on why we should all hate Galloway). Since then lots of really childish and silly personal stuff dressed up as real politics has happened.

For example there was supposed to be a Respect National Conference at the University of Westminster on Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 November. However, George and his gang obviously worked out that they will lose any votes at this conference, since the SWP were packing selection meetings nationally with their members. Galloway’s power base (as such) is only in Tower Hamlets.

So George decides to call his own “New Respect” conference for the same weekend, calling it “Respect Renewal” at the Bishopgate Institute. He has also changed the locks for the Respect headquarters, locking out the SWP Respect “officers” (not that they will be that for long). Galloway claims that they had to this because his mate Rob “where has the money gone” Hoverman, had been threatened by SWP officials and (amazingly) because the Parliamentary commissioner had told him to do it (yeah).

The “Unity Coalition” Respect website is now claiming that Galloway and his mates have split from Respect. While the official Galloway website has only details about his paid radio talkshow gigs at Blackpool?

In Newham, George refused to turn up to a Respect meeting because SWP members were there and held his own meeting at a non-SWP members house. The 3 Newham Respect councillors also refused to sign a "call for unity" round robin letter sent by the Chair of Newham Respect Michael Gavan.

While it was excitedly announced that the rail union RMT had decided to back SWP Lindsey German as the Respect candidate for London Mayor next year. Only for RMT Secretary Bob Crow to then publicly repudiate this.

Ironically of course the 4 Tower Hamlets Councillors (2 SWP members) who resigned the official Respect whip, now call themselves “Respect Independents” and are apparently in talks with the Liberal Democrats in a new “unity coalition”.

I am looking at a copy of the SWP “Party Notes” 23 October on these issues. There is, I kid you not, a 20 page appendix on how the SWP central committee was absolutely right about everything and how any problems was all Galloway’s fault. As if in the real world this matters one fig.

I really enjoyed the supposedly unofficial SWP “Lenin Tomb” blog on his take on what’s “going on”. It is just unintentionally hilarious. Wot a load of utter rubbish. He claims that the SWP is such a perfect moral organization which would never do any underhand things; they are just sweetness and light. This bloke obviously doesn’t believe in the cause enough to do the dirty deeds. He is therefore a bad Trot (in their terms). There is not one single bit of reflection that the SWP had contributed to this crisis. He is telling porkies and should be ashamed of himself for writing such nonsense.

Actually, this is just rank hypocrisy of the worse kind. Compared to the SWP CC, give me Galloway every time; at least he doesn’t really believe his cant and posture. Nor of course, surely, after being lied to time and time again by their CC, does a majority of the real SWP rank and file believe theirs?

We Love the NHS March & Rally

This was a carnival as much as a trade union or political march. As well as thousands of NHS workers and supporters, there were stilt-walkers in fancy dress, steel drums, a brass band and Soca dancers in the front. The march was in celebration of the NHS (approaching its 60th birthday next year) and a reminder to the government about keeping the NHS public and free at the point of use.

For part of the march I was helping to carry the UNISON banner of St Georges Hospital branch (Wandsworth) who had a photo of the founder of the NHS Nye Bevan on it. Behind us were some very deafening drums, which did wonders for my hangover following last night’s leaving “do”. The excited supporters beside me blowing whistles all the time just added to the experience.

There was a rally at Trafalgar Square. Dave Prentis and other trade union leaders spoke. I didn’t stay for the music and other attractions. I had to go and help some Labour Party comrades set up a new blog!

Just before the march I met up for the first time with Mikael Duthu, who I have crossed swords with figuratively in blogosphere. He seemed a very nice chap (Swedish). It is strange to meet up with someone in person you have only “met” on the Internet (like meeting grimmerupnorth at Labour conference). I asked if I could take his picture. For some reason he was a little nervous that I would post it with some silly caption next to it (as if). I assured him that I would not. After all what could I say that could top someone proudly having their picture taken holding copies of Socialist Appeal!

Alan's Leaving Do

Picture last night of UNISON London regional activists at Alan Jarman’s leaving party. Alan (back row on the left) has been the UNISON London regional convener for nearly 2 years and has stepped down after taking voluntary redundancy from his employer.

He was (I think) the first ever black UNISON regional convener as well as a leading LGBT activist and campaigner.

Alan is going travelling and we presented him with a camera to send us back pictures. Perhaps he will start a blog!

Lots of people from all over the place popped in for a chat and a drink. Very interesting conversations on the future of trade unions, politics, Cuba, Israel (and of course loads of gossip). I seem to remember that the quality of the conversation deteriorated somewhat as the evening went on? That may have just been me? But a good time was had by all.

Off now to NHS March & Rally

Why We All Hate Galloway

A good comrade sent me a copy of a promo for a new music video that is due to be released soon. I reckon that the SWP will probably want this to play as an intro" to the Respect National Conference later this month.

We did tell them about George but they wouldn't listen. In their arrogance and naivety they thought that anyone exposed to their presence would automatically "see the light" and be converted. This is quite sweet in one way. The similarity between the modern day Leninist bishops and religious fundamentalism of all types is quite delicious. Almost a pity that Galloway had to destroy all their dreams.

Remember that it wasn’t even the dressing up in pink tights that really damaged Galloway during the “Big Brother” show. Rather is was his cruel bullying, deliberate mockery and manipulation of the inadequate younger contestants, that exposed him as a nasty, vain and pompous bully. This was the real McGalloway.

This upset and disillusioned many of his core East End working class supporters, who will put up with a lot of things, but they cannot abide a bully.

Put Speakers on and enjoy!