Newham Under the Stars - Saturday 10 August

50 years ago a man walked on the moon. Next week....

50 years ago ago a man walked on the Moon. Next week a buffoon will walk into 10 Downing Street. This is not progress.

Defend local government pensions | Campaigns | UNISON National

Defend local government pensions | Campaigns | UNISON National: The latest attack on pension rights is the thin end of the wedge.

The government is currently consulting on plans to allow universities and colleges in England to opt out of offering the local government pension scheme (LGPS) to new non-teaching staff. The proposal would:

• Create a two-tier workforce with new starters offered inferior pensions
• Disproportionately affect women and the lower paid
• Threaten the future sustainability of the whole scheme

This attack on pension rights is the thin end of the wedge – let’s take action.

Email your MP now

The government consultation closes on 31 July so let’s make our views heard.

Respond to the consultation

Download handy template responses for individuals and branches from the resources section via link

Calling all Newham Council tenants & Leaseholders

We want to hear about where you live and how we can improve these areas. Book at your local forum
http://socsi.in/TenantLeaseholderForums_4ndg2

When we also murdered Jews...

Last week I was in York for a UNISON Labour Party conference. In the centre of York there is castle called Clifford’s Tower.

In March 1190 the entire Jewish population of York estimated to be 150 men, women and children had fled to the Tower for protection from an antisemite mob.

The Tower was set alight. Most of them decided to commit suicide rather than surrender to the mob. Those who did surrender were slaughtered.

Jews were also being murdered in London and Norfolk.

Least we forget are own shameful history.

Hat tip https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/cliffords-tower-york/history-and-stories/history/

Bastille Day: "La Marseillaise...

 

Hat tip Red Army Choir

Fair Tax Week

This week is Fair Tax Week. Imagine what a better world we would live in if the rich individuals and corporations paid their fair share in taxation.

One of my favourite quotations is this “I like paying taxes. With them I buy civilization". Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Hat tip Coop Party.

A day with a Community Wealth Builder

I have finally got around to posting on a great "fact finding" visit I had recently with Leader of Preston Council, Cllr Matthew Brown, showing me and a Newham Council officer Community Wealth Building (CWB) initiatives in and around his City centre.

Our aim was to learn from lessons from Matthew and the "Preston Model" for Newham. Matthew took us around a number of CWB related developments starting with lunch at a new co-operative cafe opposite the town hall.  Next was a walkabout around the excellent new market that has been rebuilt offering opportunities to new startups and existing stall holders as well as encouraging locals to shop locally. 

A Preston Cooperative Network has been set up proving advice, informaton, consultancy, training, facilities, finance and access to suppliers.

Reduced rent can be provided for by the Council for cooperatives provided staff are paid a living wage and recognise trade unions.

Matthew also took us to visit a housing coop building new homes and also new build student accommodation built with the help of pension fund investment.

We also had a frank discussion with Matthew and a Preston Council regeneration officer about how difficult the CWB journey has been at times. Dealing with public procurement and partnership arrangements with anchor institutions was never going to be easy or straightforward.  Getting support and close collaboration with the University of Central Lancaster, CLES (economic think tank), Mondragon Corporation (Basque federation of worker cooperatives) and the Open society was important but political buy in from Councillors and officers is key.

Matthew was very interested in what we are doing in Newham, in particular our proposed pension fund investment in social housing.

Many thanks to Matthew and Preston officers for taking the time to welcome and inform us. 

Unison School uniform grants closing soon!

Members on low income could be eligible for school uniform grants from UNISON “There4You” of £40 per child (up to maximum of £120 for 3 children).

Application forms have to be returned by Friday 19 July. Members who are housing benefit and have limited savings should qualify.

Contact your branch welfare officer or if you do not know how then ring Unisondirect 0800 0 857 857 or check out https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/services-support/there-for-you/unison-school-uniform-grants-2019/

Hat tip photo UNISON Scotland

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz talks about boosting housing delivery

Building a 1000 Council owned homes at social rents and campaigning against right to buy