Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
UNISON Million Voice “Guerrilla projection”
“Public buildings and major tourist attractions in London, Birmingham and Manchester will be lit up this week with the union's latest campaign advert.
The adverts – a 60 and 40 second film, one aimed at potential members and the other at the public – graphically depict the campaign's key theme: how life is changed for the worse when public sector jobs are cut.
"Public sector cuts are looming large, and UNISON's new ads shine a light on the story behind the facts and figures," says general secretary Dave Prentis.
"The human cost of cuts is people left without vital services. Emergency call centre operators, forensic experts, hospital porters, nurses and social workers all provide the services people need and rely on.
"Why should hard-working people pay for the recession when the bankers who caused this crisis are still getting billion pound bonuses? It is not right that services are being axed when the super-rich can bend the rules and avoid paying their fair share of tax."
Hat-tip LondonSE1
BROMLEY LG, GREENWICH LG & TENANT SERVICES AUTHORITY BRANCHES
"...the above branches were placed under regional supervision on Friday 5 March 2010.
Regional staff attended the offices of these branches following the NEC decision to place them under regional supervision due to the fact that they are not functioning effectively under UNISON rules.
The decision is taken under the following rules.
Rule D2.1. "The general management and control of the Union between National Delegate Conferences shall be vested in the National Executive Council… It shall have full power and authority to act on behalf of the Union in every respect and for every purpose falling within the objects of the Union. …"
Rule G8.3.3. "An employed official is also entitled to visit a branch where it appears to the General Secretary or the Regional Secretary that a branch may no longer be functioning effectively."
The objectives of supervision are to:
• ensure members obtain effective support and representation
• ensure the branch functions within the unions rules and the union is protected from legal challenge
• work with members, stewards and branch officers to review and establish effective branch and workplace organisation
The practical arrangements in place are as follows:
• the Regional Organiser has become the Branch Secretary on a pro temp basis
• existing branch officers remain in post working under the direction of the Regional Organiser
• decision making functions of the branch required under rule will be taken by branch stewards working under the direction of the region.
• the Regional Organiser will be required to make quarterly reports to the D&O Committee
• supervision will be lifted once the D&O Committee is satisfied that the branch is functioning effectively again under rule
I understand that some reports have been circulated alleging these branches were subject to ‘dawn raids’, seizure of computer hard drives and case files. This is not the case. Regional Staff attended all three branches to provide support and assistance, to secure the assets of the union and ensure that support and services to members are maintained.
Members in the branches concerned are being kept fully informed of developments".
(In the light of the deliberately inaccurate and blatant untruths being put out about these branches who have been put into supervision - this is the truth about the matter. No "dawn raids" no "seizures" and all within union rules. This advice was sent out to all regional branch secretaries and Committee Chairs. Check out this about the ET judgement JG)
Regional staff attended the offices of these branches following the NEC decision to place them under regional supervision due to the fact that they are not functioning effectively under UNISON rules.
The decision is taken under the following rules.
Rule D2.1. "The general management and control of the Union between National Delegate Conferences shall be vested in the National Executive Council… It shall have full power and authority to act on behalf of the Union in every respect and for every purpose falling within the objects of the Union. …"
Rule G8.3.3. "An employed official is also entitled to visit a branch where it appears to the General Secretary or the Regional Secretary that a branch may no longer be functioning effectively."
The objectives of supervision are to:
• ensure members obtain effective support and representation
• ensure the branch functions within the unions rules and the union is protected from legal challenge
• work with members, stewards and branch officers to review and establish effective branch and workplace organisation
The practical arrangements in place are as follows:
• the Regional Organiser has become the Branch Secretary on a pro temp basis
• existing branch officers remain in post working under the direction of the Regional Organiser
• decision making functions of the branch required under rule will be taken by branch stewards working under the direction of the region.
• the Regional Organiser will be required to make quarterly reports to the D&O Committee
• supervision will be lifted once the D&O Committee is satisfied that the branch is functioning effectively again under rule
I understand that some reports have been circulated alleging these branches were subject to ‘dawn raids’, seizure of computer hard drives and case files. This is not the case. Regional Staff attended all three branches to provide support and assistance, to secure the assets of the union and ensure that support and services to members are maintained.
Members in the branches concerned are being kept fully informed of developments".
(In the light of the deliberately inaccurate and blatant untruths being put out about these branches who have been put into supervision - this is the truth about the matter. No "dawn raids" no "seizures" and all within union rules. This advice was sent out to all regional branch secretaries and Committee Chairs. Check out this about the ET judgement JG)
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
UNISON Public Statement on Employment Tribunal case of Kelly and Others –v- UNISON
"UNISON welcomes the ruling by the Employment Tribunal that the union did not discriminate against four members on grounds of their political beliefs when it disciplined them for producing and distributing a leaflet that was alleged to be offensive and racially discriminatory.
The ET unanimously dismissed all the claims brought against UNISON by branch officers Brian Debus, Onay Kasab, Glenn Kelly and Suzanne Muna.
UNISON has not made any public comment or comment to its members during the three years since the original publication of the leaflet. It is however now appropriate to set out the background to the case and to give a short summary of the ET’s decision.
Background
At the 2007 National Delegate Conference (NDC) the four members produced a leaflet alleging that the Standing Orders Committee (SOC) were rejecting an unprecedented number of motions. The leaflet questioned whether this was because the motions were controversial.
The leaflet carried a cartoon depicting the SOC as the three wise monkeys.
Clytus Williams, the Chair of the SOC a black man. Given this, some delegates found the cartoon not just unfunny, but offensive and racist.
The chair of the Black Members Committee said it “belonged in the past with Bernard Manning”. Members of the SOC also complained that the leaflet was insulting to them generally.
An investigation was launched into the conduct of the four members. This was followed by disciplinary action.
The ET decision
The ET found that the members’ beliefs did not fall within the protection of the Religion and Belief Regulations (2003), which outlaw discrimination on grounds of religious or philosophical beliefs.
It added that their views “conflict with the fundamental rights of others and the dignity of the individual and are not worthy of respect……..in a democratic society” and concluded that philosophical beliefs do not include political beliefs.
However the ET also considered whether the members had been subjected to any discrimination on grounds of their political beliefs, whether or not they were covered by the regulations.
The ET’s conclusions:
1. The four members alleged that the decision to launch an investigation into their conduct for producing and distributing the leaflet was direct discrimination and harassment on grounds of their beliefs – specifically that they were Marxists/Trotskyists and members of The Socialist Party.
The ET found that, given the strength of feeling about the leaflet, it was entirely reasonable for Unison to consider the perception of the leaflet as being racist and to deal with that by ordering an investigation into its production.
The ET found that, given Unison has a policy of equal treatment, it was “not an option” for Unison “to do nothing”.
2. The ET also concluded that it was appropriate for Malcolm Cantello, the then UNISON President, “to consider that the leaflet was offensive and denigrated the chairman and members of the SOC, for Mr [Clytus] Williams to consider it was insulting to the SOC, and for [Unison] to investigate it under their rules”.
The ET did not require UNISON to explain why its action against the four members was not discriminatory because it said there was a complete lack of evidence of discrimination.
3. The Claimants alleged that the full investigation into their conduct carried out by two national officers , amounted to direct discrimination and harassment on grounds of their beliefs.
The ET unanimously dismissed these allegations, saying that the national officers “did not approach their investigation with a pre-judgment based on the philosophical belief of the Claimants of which they were aware”.
4. The members alleged that the decision taken by the NEC to move their cases to a formal disciplinary hearing, the manner in which the disciplinary process was conducted and the length of time taken to hear their disciplinary case amounted to direct discrimination and harassment on grounds of their beliefs.
The ET unanimously dismissed these allegations, finding that the members had failed to provide any evidence that their treatment was on grounds of their beliefs".
(As a UNISON London Regional Council Officer I was sent a copy of this announcement. After all the deliberate untruths, smears and abuse heaped upon the union by unrepresentative extremists and their supporters I hope that this true message is now spread as widely as possible - John Gray)
The ET unanimously dismissed all the claims brought against UNISON by branch officers Brian Debus, Onay Kasab, Glenn Kelly and Suzanne Muna.
UNISON has not made any public comment or comment to its members during the three years since the original publication of the leaflet. It is however now appropriate to set out the background to the case and to give a short summary of the ET’s decision.
Background
At the 2007 National Delegate Conference (NDC) the four members produced a leaflet alleging that the Standing Orders Committee (SOC) were rejecting an unprecedented number of motions. The leaflet questioned whether this was because the motions were controversial.
The leaflet carried a cartoon depicting the SOC as the three wise monkeys.
Clytus Williams, the Chair of the SOC a black man. Given this, some delegates found the cartoon not just unfunny, but offensive and racist.
The chair of the Black Members Committee said it “belonged in the past with Bernard Manning”. Members of the SOC also complained that the leaflet was insulting to them generally.
An investigation was launched into the conduct of the four members. This was followed by disciplinary action.
The ET decision
The ET found that the members’ beliefs did not fall within the protection of the Religion and Belief Regulations (2003), which outlaw discrimination on grounds of religious or philosophical beliefs.
It added that their views “conflict with the fundamental rights of others and the dignity of the individual and are not worthy of respect……..in a democratic society” and concluded that philosophical beliefs do not include political beliefs.
However the ET also considered whether the members had been subjected to any discrimination on grounds of their political beliefs, whether or not they were covered by the regulations.
The ET’s conclusions:
1. The four members alleged that the decision to launch an investigation into their conduct for producing and distributing the leaflet was direct discrimination and harassment on grounds of their beliefs – specifically that they were Marxists/Trotskyists and members of The Socialist Party.
The ET found that, given the strength of feeling about the leaflet, it was entirely reasonable for Unison to consider the perception of the leaflet as being racist and to deal with that by ordering an investigation into its production.
The ET found that, given Unison has a policy of equal treatment, it was “not an option” for Unison “to do nothing”.
2. The ET also concluded that it was appropriate for Malcolm Cantello, the then UNISON President, “to consider that the leaflet was offensive and denigrated the chairman and members of the SOC, for Mr [Clytus] Williams to consider it was insulting to the SOC, and for [Unison] to investigate it under their rules”.
The ET did not require UNISON to explain why its action against the four members was not discriminatory because it said there was a complete lack of evidence of discrimination.
3. The Claimants alleged that the full investigation into their conduct carried out by two national officers , amounted to direct discrimination and harassment on grounds of their beliefs.
The ET unanimously dismissed these allegations, saying that the national officers “did not approach their investigation with a pre-judgment based on the philosophical belief of the Claimants of which they were aware”.
4. The members alleged that the decision taken by the NEC to move their cases to a formal disciplinary hearing, the manner in which the disciplinary process was conducted and the length of time taken to hear their disciplinary case amounted to direct discrimination and harassment on grounds of their beliefs.
The ET unanimously dismissed these allegations, finding that the members had failed to provide any evidence that their treatment was on grounds of their beliefs".
(As a UNISON London Regional Council Officer I was sent a copy of this announcement. After all the deliberate untruths, smears and abuse heaped upon the union by unrepresentative extremists and their supporters I hope that this true message is now spread as widely as possible - John Gray)
Monday, March 08, 2010
UNISON London Labour Link Forum 2010
We had a GLA report from Joanne McCartney and “Fighting the BNP” call to arms from Margaret Hodge, MP for Barking. Our key note speaker was the Foreign Secretary David Miliband MP who arrived fresh from giving evidence at the Chilcot enquiry into the Iraq war.
The usual daft rule change by the usual suspects on restricting the franchise on electing our committee members to delegates who only attend the Forum meeting was overwhelmingly defeated. A fairly useful motion by LFEPA branch on “Investment not cuts in public service-sorting Labour Priorities” was “improved” by an amendment.
We also passed a motion in favour of proportionate representation. Both these motions will be going to national Labour Link forum.
I only took notes about on Joanne’s report since I chaired the meeting for the other two speakers. She started off by pointing out if you want to see what a Tory Government would be like - look at what is happening to London. Conservative mayor Boris Johnson is already breaking manifesto promises. He is cutting full time Police numbers and trying to replace them with unpaid specials. There will be a smaller GLA budget for policing for the first time. Boris not committed to Safer Neighbourhood Team model (which in my view would be a disaster if it went). There have been massive increases in London transport fares particularly for buses. Boris is of course not a “detail person” and this can be seen at Mayor “Question time” were he relies on “bluster and bluff” rather than answering the questions. There is no vision out there. Gossip from City Hall 8th floor is that Boris wants to return to Parliament if the Tories win. Watch your back Cameron! On a serious note many community groups have complained that they now feel distant from the Mayor and the Assembly since Boris has cancelled nearly all community based events.
Joanne was aware of our request to arrange a meeting with GLA members and staff from Notting Hill Housing Group who are due on strike next week and we be arranging this soon.
Both David and Margaret gave positive and confident speeches and were well received by the Forum. David comprehensively destroyed the Tory myths that Labour had not improved or invested in public services and that the Tories had not really “changed” into a modern centre and progressive Party. He also dismissed the other myths that there was no difference between Labour and the Tories. This was not at all a speech from anyone expecting defeat any time soon. Margaret gave a firsthand account of the nasty, violent and thuggish BNP threat in Barking and Dagenham. On Saturday I hope to be part of a UNISON Labour Link canvassing team in Barking.
The Finance report and work plan went well and we also had a short report by national Labour Link officer Daniel Zeichner. In AOB I wished all the London UNISON Labour link members who are Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (2 were present) and all those standing for election to Councils (7 present) the best of luck. I also asked for messages of support to be sent to my branch over the Notting Hill Housing Strike for “fairness and dignity”. Forum closed until 2011.
Roll on a historic 4th term Labour victory in the Parliamentary elections and a majority of London Councils turning red as well.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Working for you in Canning Town
Newham London Run2010
Newham elected Labour mayor, Sir Robin Wales, set us off alongside local hero and Olympic 400m champion, Christine Ohuruogu. There were 3700 starters and I took 1 hr 18 mins to finish (I was pacing Mrs Grayee – this is my excuse and I’m sticking to it). Apparently I came 104th according to my “age group and gender” which sounds better - whatever it actually means.
It was to my mind pretty cruel for the organisers to make us actually run past the finishing line at the 6k point!
Fellow West Ham Labour Party and UNISON member, Forhad Hussain, was with us at the start while the first person I saw at the end was Harvinder Singh Virdee who was a “Newham volunteer” (see pics). While Labour Councillor Ayesha Chowdhury also took part but I did not see her.
It was all in all a good day and I look forward to next year’s event. I was going to run today for the Charity “Alone in London” but I am planning an “off road” ½ marathon later this year and think I will raise more money with a longer race.
I am currently losing the race with middle aged spread and have decided that since I am too weak and greedy to cut the calorific intake I will have to expand the calorific output. So I am aiming to take part in a full marathon early next year (even though I swore blind I will never do another one).
The friendly atmosphere; good organisation; blue... blue skies and loads of early spring sunshine of today leads you into such rash promises
Saturday, March 06, 2010
West Ham Labour Party
Well done Forhad!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)