Respect Karaoke – A Song for George

Today two separate diss-Respect Conferences have taken place. Pretty soon we should discover what has gone on as delegates go home and start blogging and leaking furiously.

Many of course will be drowning their sorrows amidst the wreckage and recriminations of the respect project.

According to their web sites Respect Renewal (Galloway’s stooges) are going for a curry in Brick Lane after their conference. While Continuity Respect (SWP stooges) are off to the “Coach and Hounds”. I am not sure if there will be a Karaoke machine handy at either event? If there is a comrade has fraternally sent me a song they could all sing along to. Enjoy.

Oh! Respect Renewal is a-rollin' on over the land,

With the office locked up, Nick Wrack with the keys in hand.

A fat cigar! And humongous pay!
George Gall-oway! George Gall-oway! George Gall-oway!

Oh! Respect Renewal is a-comin' up round the bend,

Like a runaway train, its got to have a bad end.

But another defector, they’ve picked up today.

So, George Gall-oway! George Gall-oway! George Gallo-way!

He’s headin' straight on down, loaded down, with his Respect veto,

To Tow’r Hamlets, and elsewhere – yeah!

Respect Renewal is a -going without John Rees,
He’s split from the caravan with his comrade-ees
And it’s jobs for the boys, and on George’s say
So, George Gall-oway! George Gall-oway! George Gallo-way!

Oh! Respect Renewal is a-headin' on over the town,

Where the SWP are thick as eiderduck down.

Mariam appeal! More money wa-hey!

So, George Gall-oway! George Gall-oway! George Gallo-way!

You can listen to the original version for free here. Don’t forget to check out what has gone on in the respect saga so far and of course, the “Why we all hate Galloway video”

Total "Out of Burma" – Day of Action Sat 24 November

The campaigning group “Total Out of Burma” is holding a national “Day of Action” next Saturday 24 November 2007. They are planning protests at petrol stations owned by French Oil Company Total.

Total have massive investments in Burma which generate hundreds of million of tax dollars for the military junta in Burma. Remember the regime need foreign exchange in order to oppress and control its own people.

Aung San Suu Kyi the Burmese democracy leader is quoted as saying “"TOTAL is the biggest supporter of the military regime in Burma". While still under house arrest (12th year of detention) she has also pleaded for a total withdrawal of investments in Burma

Click on “Total Out Of Burma” to find the location of the nearest protest to you.

At my recent Labour Party ward meeting the (Newham) Councillors present promised to investigate whether or not their pension scheme had any investments in Burma such as Total (they probably do). Also following representations from trade union members I have contacted the Chair of my own Council Pension scheme in Tower Hamlets asking similar questions.

I think that apart from the overwhelming moral case not to invest in Burma and therefore support this murderous junta, this is also a fiduciary issue. Pension and life assurance funds ought to assess the potential financial risks to their funds from such “investments”. For example, Total is the lead partner in a $1.2 billion investment in an off shore gas field in Burma. If European or US sanctions are tightened and they have to sell off these assets quickly then Total could face huge losses. Nevermind the widespread boycotts of Total and its reputational risk.

Rachel Voller: Vice Chair of UNISON Labour Link

Congratulations to London nurse Rachel Voller, who has been elected as the National UNISON Labour Link committee Vice Chair.

Rachel is the Greater London regional delegate to the committee.

Labour Link (it use to be known as the "Affiliated Political Fund" or the APF) supports members views and argues for UNISON policies within the Labour Party.

Picture (right) is of Rachel as a member of the UNISON delegation to the Labour Party conference at Bournemouth 2007 asking a question to a panel of ministers.

Well done Rachel!

Council By-election in Southwark – December 13

There is a by-election in the Riverside Ward of Southwark Council on December 13 (not a good date for political campaigning?). The Labour Party candidate is Unite trade union member and blogger Cormac Hollingsworth.

All three seats are currently held by the Liberals however Labour came second in 2006. The previous incumbant resigned for not attending meetings due to "ill health".

The Lib Dem/Tory administration in Southwark only has a majority of 2 so a victory would obviously be good and it would bash Lib Dem morale for the GLA elections next year.

I’ll try to find out how London Labour Party activists can help out with campaigning (If anyone knows please post a comment )

(Thanks to Ian Wingfield CWU TULO)

UPDATE:
"...weekend & weekday campaigning sessions. Below are the times & locations until Polling Day (Thu 13 Dec). Please keep this information & feel free to circulate it widely to others who are prepared to work to get rid of the Tories & Lib Dem too! We urgently need your help at the following times every week between now & 13th Dec:

WEEKENDS – Every Fri at 1pm; Sat & Sun at 11am and 2pm (main sessions)
Venue: 124 Arnold Estate, Druid Street, SE1 2DT (near Bermondsey Tube & Tower Bridge - see map; next to the Beormund Centre in Abbey St) WEEKNIGHT EVENINGS: Every Mon, Tue, Wed & Thu (except Mon 10 Dec): 6:30pm outside Bermondsey Tube (Jubilee Line)"

Cllr Susan Elan Jones, Deputy Leader of Southwark Labour Group of Councillors

Health and Safety “Ban” Christmas Decorations

Bah Humbug! Actually the Health & Safety Executive website “Myth of the Month” feature quite rightly lampoons the Daily Hate et al for pretending that companies are “banned” from putting up Crimbo decorations in office because of “Health & Safety”.

Some firms are too lazy or "Scrooge" like to pay for decorations and will just any old excuse to get out of it.

They point out that decorations are actually put up in HSE buildings without any fuss or bother. All they expect employers to do is sensible practical things such as provide a “suitable step ladder to put up decorations rather than expecting staff to balance on wheelie chairs”.

Makes sense to me.

East London Olympic Site Fire

Just before I was going to knock off for lunch today, someone came into the office and told us about a huge fire outside.

We looked out of the office windows at the massive cloud of black smoke that was billowing out. I popped out to check that it was not on our estate. Soon found out it was several hundred meters away across the motorway.

People’s reactions to the smoke were striking. Many appeared to be visually frightened. Especially parents with young children for obvious reason. It was like something out of the biblical old testament. With all the airplanes flying around many may have suspected a terrorist attack or feared the side effects of pollution.

I didn’t think that it was a terrorist attack since such massive fires have happened now twice in recent years in London. This is the closest. My first thought after all what has gone on recently was just “I hope the fire-fighters are okay”.

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.