UNISON National Executive Council members at NDC 2019

The elected lay members of UNISON who have been on its National Executive Council 2017-2019 at our National Conference. 

Great Street Art painting of rock icon Freddie Mercury in West Ham

Church Road junction with New Plaistow Road, E15 (next to William Hill bookmakers). 

Newham Alternative PEACE Exhibition

‪We’re saying #NO to #DSEI2019 taking place in Newham’s Royal Docks between 10th and 13th September. Come and show solidarity at our free Alternative #PEACE Exhibition for a evening of protest, talks, exhibitions & performances with experts, artists & activists. #justtransition now

Newham Free School Uniform competition - cute picture alert!

"Hoorum and Diya wearing their new school uniforms. Their families won a full uniform pack by completing their school applications online. 2020 eAdmissions open 1 Sept. #Newham #BackToSchool2019". Hat tip Cllr Julianne Marriott, Cabinet Member for Education

Brexit and suspending Parliament: What just happened? (in 100 & 500 words words from BBC)

From yesterday's BBC news which explains everything really well:

"In a dramatic move on Wednesday morning, Britain's new Prime Minister Johnson set in motion the suspension of the UK Parliament - which means MPs have much less time to debate Brexit, the process of the UK leaving the European Union.
Boris 

Parliament is to be suspended for five weeks ahead of 31 October, the day the UK is due to leave the EU.

That's just nine weeks away.

People who want the UK to remain in the EU are calling it a coup - and even some in favour of Brexit have criticised the move.

Mr Johnson wants to start a new parliamentary session, with a fresh programme, from 14 October. Instead of a normal three-week autumn recess, parliament will now wrap up some time around 10 September.

With so little time, MPs would find it difficult to stop the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Wait, what just happened?

Parliament always stops work for a few weeks in the autumn. But this isn't a normal recess: Mr Johnson is cutting short the current parliamentary session at a critical time.

The UK was originally scheduled to leave the EU on 29 March. After Parliament rejected the deal negotiated with the EU three times, that deadline was extended. Departure day is now 31 October.

Mr Johnson, who was one of the key figures in the Leave campaign, has promised to complete Brexit "do or die" - with or without a deal.

However, most opposition members of Parliament (MPs) and many from the governing Conservative Party don't want to leave the EU without a deal. They fear it would damage the British economy, putting up prices and limiting access to the UK's biggest market.

They've threatened to bring legislation ruling out a no-deal Brexit. Failing that, they could also call a vote of no-confidence in the government.

• Do MPs have the power to stop a no-deal Brexit?

Is it legal to suspend Parliament?

Yes. It's what normally happens between the end of one session and the beginning of the next. However, the circumstances are unusual.

A legal challenge would be difficult, since the government isn't breaking any law. It's just using parliamentary procedure, as Mr Johnson tries to fulfil his campaign promise to get the UK out of the EU.

MPs could either go along with the suspension, with the risk of a no-deal Brexit, or they could trigger an election with a vote of no confidence in the government.

The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, has called the suspension a "constitutional outrage" designed to prevent MPs from debating Brexit.

• How do you suspend Parliament?

What about the Queen?

She does have a say, but it's limited. Technically, the government had to ask her for permission to suspend Parliament.

This is normally a formality: the Queen keeps out of politics. If she had refused, that would have been unprecedented.

She did not refuse.

What happens next?

Good question.

Parliament will go back to work next Tuesday 3 September, but will then go into recess.

If Mr Johnson gets his way, Parliament returns on 14 October, two-and-a-half weeks before the UK leaves the EU.

However, if MPs pass a vote of no-confidence before 10 September, there could be a general election in October". hat tip BBC

The Great British Beach Day Out

Off message somewhat but recently spent a lovely day with family at a rented beach hut in Walton on Naze. My sister-in-law paid £50 on line for the day - 9am-6pm.

Of course, being a British beach experience in August, it was a little windy and even rained a bit (despite a favourable BBC weather forecast).

But it was glorious to sit outside the hut and eat freshly cooked cod/rock fish n chips from Yates washed down with a wally.

Alas, unfortunately the tide was in for most of the day so we could not build the promised sand castles with 3 year old great niece Teagan...but definitely next time.

I went for a bracing stroll along Walton pier. Apparently the 2nd longest pier in the UK. The RNLI have a life boat station at its end.

When we finished for the day, Gill and I walked along the coast from Walton to Frinton (2 miles) and caught the train home to Forest Gate.

I kid you not but there was beach huts, side by side pretty much the entire way. Lots and lots of families and friends enjoying the sea and the beach.

Apparently beach huts in Frinton can cost up to £25,000 to buy. I wouldn't spend that but £50 for 6 adults (and 2 children) was well worth it for a day.

Recently, during a meeting with a Council manager, we talked about future plans for a rebirth of Tenant and Resident Associations in Newham and also organising trips out to the seaside next year for residents and their children.

I really hope we can make this happen. 

Green UNISON Week 16-20 September

“We have called for strong action on climate change for many years.

This September, our branches across the UK are organising a week of activities to call for urgent action to tackle climate change.

Green UNISON Week gives UNISON members the chance to show support for the school climate strikers ahead of their campaign to raise awareness and the school climate strike on 20 September.

Anti-trade union laws mean that UNISON branches cannot take strike action but there are many ways you can show your support for the school campaigners:

Five key actions:

Find out if your UNISON branch has an environment rep? If not, encourage your branch and any interested members to get involved and become green reps!

Find out what your employer is doing to reduce their environmental impact. Ask your employer to share this information with UNISON.

Hold a UNISON green event. You could run a lunchtime stall in the canteen, a film show, or a talk. Why not invite a school student climate striker or a speaker from a nearby environmental campaigning organisation to come along?

Run a green survey. Ask your friends and colleagues for ideas on how to ‘green up’ your workplace. Get people involved and offer a prize or raffle.

Run a green workplace training activity. Talk to your UNISON learning rep and look into running a lunchtime activity session for green reps and members who’d like to learn more.

You can find others who share your concerns about climate change and let UNISON Green Week be your springboard into starting a new green UNISON network where you work.


If you have any questions about Green UNISON Week, email policy@unison.co.uk.

Resources

You’ll find lots of tips and suggestions to help you kick-start your climate campaigning in these resources from the TUC:

A handbook for environmental reps (PDF)
Environmental reps learning and activities workbook (PDF)
Negotiating on environmental issues at work (PDF)

We’ll also be adding some materials to download soon, which will include pledge cards and social media graphics".

(UNISON Scotland are also running UNISON Green Day on 20/9/19)

Hope Not Hate - From Banners to Bullets

A disturbing video from anti fascist “Hope Not Hate” on a new far right threat. Well worth a 10 minute watch on why we have a worse UK problem with these new Nazi than even the rest of Europe

Newham Council Housing Liaison Team

For the first time in many years Newham Council tenants and leaseholders now have named officers for all our estates and properties in the borough.

This is a brand new team and I have been on a number of "walkabouts" and resident meetings with them. Their enthusiasm and commitment is just fantastic.  More positive news on housing management to follow.

Your Housing Liaison Officer

Contact your Housing Liaison Officer if you have any issues or queries: The team carries out block inspections, conduct tenancy audits, provide regular housing surgeries for residents, resolve general housing queries, and much more

Custom House, Canning Town North and Canning Town South 

Michelle Harris 

Michelle.Harris@newham.gov.uk 

07813 446 312 

Richard Joseph 

Richard.Joseph@newham.gov.uk 

07976 321 251

Stratford, New Town and West Ham 

Bryan Waters 

Bryan.Waters@newham.gov.uk 

07970 733 919

Salih Rahman 

Salih.Rahman@newham.gov.uk

07946 454 857

East Ham Central, East Ham South and Wall End 

Cherrylyn Akinyemi 

Cherrylyn.Akinyemi@newham.gov.uk

07583 098 796

Plaistow North and Plaistow South 

Beth Wibrow

Beth.Wibrow@newham.gov.uk

07949 636 578

East Ham North, Little Ilford and Manor Park 

Mohammad Khan 

Mohammad.Khan@newham.gov.uk 

07836 387 183

Boleyn, Green Street East, Green Street West and out of borough 

Rebecca Letchford 

Rebecca.Letchford@newham.gov.uk 

07976 321 252

Forest Gate North and Forest Gate South 

Umar Ahmed 

Umarfaruk.Ahmed@newham.gov.uk 

07947 452 360

Beckton and Royal Docks 

Izabell Morelli 

Izabell.Morelli@newham.gov.uk​ 

07976 321 239

Vote Wendy (Yorkshire & Humberside) and Pete (London) for UNISON National Labour Link

Ballot Helpline

If individual members have not received a paper by 13 August 2019 then they should contact the ballot helpline operated by UNISONdirect on the following telephone number: 0800 0 857 857.

Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968.

Members should endeavour to have their membership number to hand when telephoning.