UNISON London Ambulance Service (LAS) Strike: Picket outside their Waterloo Headquarters 10.2.23

 

After work this evening I went to the UNISON picket line outside the LAS headquarters in Waterloo, Central London. I went to show solidarity and support on behalf of Greater London UNISON Regional Council officers and my own Housing Associations UNISON branch. 

It was yet another, well organised and well supported LAS picket. Congratulations to their Branch Secretary Eddie Brand, and their stewards and regional support staff including our Regional Secretary, Jo Galloway. The pickets were confident, knew what the battle was about and what to do on a picket line. 

I see also from other social media reports that some LAS pickets are tomorrow setting off as volunteers to Turkey to help out as paramedics with the dreadful recent earthquake.  Last year the branch helped organise a convoy to Ukraine to deliver much needed medical supplies and equipment. 

I have been on various picket lines in my time in the Labour Movement and the UNISON LAS are by far the best organised I have ever attended. 

Our ace UNISON Head of Health, Sara Gorton, gave short speech to the pickets thanking them for all they are doing to save our NHS.

Fellow London UNISON activists Anu Prashar and Abiola Kusoro were also there to show solidarity.

Just to point out that contrary to Tory lies and smears, for life and limb calls, pickets are volunteering with the full support of their stewards, to leave the picket line to attend, and I have witnessed this on many occasions during this strike.  Because it is an "operational" picket line, with emergency ambulances coming and going, the branch has to be careful of numbers of pickets and supporters to ensure safety. 

I came back home tonight feeling uplifted and proud of my union and our members.  

Investors call for a Say on Climate

 

LAPFF, Sarasin & Partners, CCLA and Ethos Foundation write to the FTSE All-share urging AGM vote on climate action plans

"Last week the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF), Sarasin & Partners LLP, CCLA and Ethos Foundation wrote to the chairs of all FTSE listed companies (excluding investment trusts) requesting that companies allow for a shareholder vote on their greenhouse gas emission reduction strategy. Having a ‘Say on Climate’ vote aims to enhance transparency and accountability on one of the most pressing financially material risks facing investee companies.

Ahead of the 2023 AGM season, the letter welcomed those Boards that have already enabled shareholders to have a ‘Say on Climate’ via a resolution on the ballot paper. However, the letter urged all companies to follow suit by disclosing their transition plans aligned to a 1.5°C temperature outcome and allowing investor oversight on the robustness of plans through a vote on the strategy and any associated capital expenditure requirements.

The intervention comes against the backdrop of increasing pressure from government and regulators to draw up plans and take action to reduce emissions. The letter’s signatories noted the HM Treasury’s launch of the UK Transition Plan Taskforce to develop the ‘gold standard’ for private sector climate transition plans in the UK. The taskforce states that a transition plan should be integral to the company’s overall strategy, setting out how it aims to prepare and contribute to a rapid shift towards a decarbonised economy.

Cllr Doug McMurdo, Chair of LAPFF, said:

“The lack of disclosure and the timidity of climate plans at many companies are very serious concerns for investors. Such concerns should be addressed by all companies publishing credible climate action plans and allowing investors to have a say on whether the strategies are fit for purpose.”

Natasha Landell-Mills, Partner at Sarasin & Partners LLP, said:

“Climate change is eroding humanity’s ability to prosper. Companies cannot continue to generate wealth on the back of eroding natural capital. Promises to align with net 2 zero are necessary but not sufficient to move us onto a more sustainable path. Where will investment go to build a net zero future? What harmful activities will be wound down? Investors – and the public – need to know how these promises are going to be delivered.”

Tessa Younger, Better Environment Lead at CCLA, said:

“CCLA advocates for companies to produce high quality transition plans to enable them to make better-informed decisions on how to allocate capital. As part of the Delivery Group for the Transition Plan Taskforce, we believe there should be disclosure of robust transition plans, and governance and accountability mechanisms that support their delivery. A routine vote at company AGMs would provide this mechanism for companies to take account of shareholder feedback.”

Vincent Kaufmann, CEO of the Ethos Foundation, said:

“Climate change represents a significant risk for companies and their shareholders. Shareholders expect a board of directors not only to set ambitious targets to reduce GHG emissions but also, and more importantly, to define a clear and efficient strategy to achieve these targets. The aim of ‘Say on Climate’ is precisely to enable shareholders to assess the effectiveness of climate strategies and, when necessary, to increase pressure on the board of directors if the measures taken are not considered sufficient."

LAPFF Press release  

UNISON Greater London Regional Council AGM 2023: Re-elected as RCO for 16th time (?) in a row

This morning was our Regional Council AGM and I was pleased to have been re-elected (unopposed) as Regional Finance Convenor alongside my comrades, Yvonne Green, as Regional Convenor and Conroy Lawrence, as Deputy Convenor. We were joined on the Regional Council team (the lay Executive for the 130,000 members in Greater London) by newly elected Equalities Convenor, Annette Heslop. See picture of us with Regional Secretary Jo Galloway on top left of collage. The Publicity Officer election is being rerun due to an admin error.

Our keynote guest speakers were Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP, who is the Labour Shadow minister on Mental Health as well as a real life hospital doctor (see photo left of collage with Rosena, me and NHS activist Jim Mansfield who was also re-elected as our rep on Conference Standing Orders Committee) and our superb UNISON Head of Health, Sara Gorton. 

I gave the regional finance budget report to the AGM, which was adopted and I thanked members for their trust and confidence in re-electing me again as well as Yvonne and Conroy. 

After reports, we began debating motions. I spoke first moving my branch (GLR Housing Associations) "Cost of Living motion" which no one spoke against but saw some "fantasy" Life of Brian speeches, attacking the Labour Party, rather than the Tories, over the Cost of Living Crisis! 

Anu Prashar spoke passionately and eloquently on the (dreadful) LGBT+ experience during this crisis. 

There was some brilliant contributions during the debate on the "Industrial Action" motion moved by Kensington & Chelsea Local Government Branch. In particular Sonya Howard (K&C Chair) and Eddie Brand, Branch Secretary of the London Ambulance Service, who were the only branch to successfully win a strike ballot in the current NHS dispute and have delivered 4 days of strike action with next one on this Friday.  Hospital worker, Abiola Kusoro, told us how her branch lost out on strike action by only 1% shortfall in the vote and how they hope and expect to win the pending rerun ballot. 

Our former HAB activist (and my fellow West Ham Labour activist) Mitsy Harmon-Russell, now a NHS care worker moved the motion in support of our UNISON Charity "There for You". 

My other branch motion (composited with Croydon motion) on "Year of the Black Worker" was moved by our Branch Chair, Joseph Ogundemuren who got us all clapping and chanting combining humour with serious messages. 

Afterwards I had to rush off to my nearby housing office, to catch up with the ever urgent ASB work and union issues, then in the evening to go to my branch executive meeting.  

Snap poll shows more than half employers guilty of ‘wellbeing washing’

 

As a trade union elected representative for UNISON Community members in London I totally agree with this article in IOSH website. So many employers pretend to care for the well being of their staff but simply do not deliver. Why on earth to they do this? "Workers are not stupid". 

"The term ‘worker wellbeing’ appears to be trending these days as more employers switch on to the fact their workforce is their greatest asset, especially in the current workers’ jobs market.

But another term has been coined to shame employers that want to appear mindful of their workers’ wellbeing yet fail to provide them with any real benefits – ‘wellbeing washing’.

Looking for that ‘quick fix’ to keep their people onside (and hopefully attract new talent), these employers are increasingly being called out for offering free fruit, gym memberships, yoga classes and the like with one hand while pushing staff towards unsustainable workloads, long hours and burnout with the other.

It’s a phenomenon highlighted recently by IOSH Research Programme Lead Dr Karen Michell, in her blog ‘Want to really do right by your people?’

Web poll

So IOSH decided to test just how widespread ‘wellbeing washing’ has become by asking visitors to our website a few questions on the matter, starting with “Do you think your employer is guilty of wellbeing washing?”

This snap online poll, which attracted more than 400 responses from nearly 60 countries over three working days, confirmed that wellbeing washing really is a thing, with more than half (51%) of respondents pointing an accusing finger at their employer. Those who found their employer guilty as charged referred to wide-ranging examples of staff ‘benefits’ they didn’t want or need, including:

• Online ‘wellbeing services’
• Employment Assistance Programmes that focus on out-of-hours issues but don’t deal with work or office-related matters
• Discounts on holidays (which are still too expensive)
• Wellbeing walks (but with no time to go on them)
• Fruit and ice cream
• Shopping discounts (but having to pay for staff parking)
• Mental health First Aid (described as a ‘box-ticking’ exercise that can sometimes see untrained volunteers do more harm than good).

Those employers providing benefits their employees won’t thank them for might be interested to see what benefits workers say they’re not getting but would actually welcome. These include:

• Work risk assessments for stress
• Access to a wider variety of healthy lifestyle classes, not just gym membership or yoga
• More support for women on menopausal issues
• Better mental health support
• Better management
• Flexible working
• A more responsive attitude to worker surveys.

In her blog, Dr Michell advises employers they won’t get away with adopting a one-size-fits-all approach to worker wellbeing, while simply renaming a rest area as ‘The Chill Zone’ is a definite ‘no-no’: “Helping to keep your people contented while also attracting new talent will be vital to your operation – in fact, your whole future will depend on it,” she writes.

Workers aren’t stupid".

UNISON NEC Elections - Personal recommendations for London & National Seats

 UNISON Branches can still nominate candidates until next Monday 13 February. Above are my personal recommendations for the London seats and below for the national seats. 

We definitely need an NEC that puts members first, supports our General Secretary Christina McAnea (never again a vote of no confidence in the NEC)  and makes sure that everyone has a voice in UNISON. Fight discrimination and tackle the Cost of Living Crisis. 

Your Labour Team for West Ham

 

After my Councillor surgery in the morning (local planning case work) I led on the Saturday afternoon "Street Surgery" of West Ham ward in Newham, London. Knocking on doors in what is apparently, the longest side road in the borough, Corporation Street, E15.  

We were talking to residents about local issues and their concerns they may have with the area and Newham Council, but also asking about what they think about national politics. 

I had some tough but constructive conversations about ASB/Street drinkers/fly tipping/parking controls but overall it was very positive for Labour. 

Residents like their local Councillors knocking on their doors, introducing themselves and listening. They very much like the idea that we have a weekly face to face surgery (drop in - no appointment necessary) inside the ward (Vicarage Lane Community Centre 10-11am every Saturday except Bank Holiday weekends) and they can contact us by phone or email. 

On national politics it was to me evident that some residents, who had been previously been against Labour and/or supported over parties, were going to support us in the next General Election to get rid of the Tories. 

However, we should be taking nothing for granted and always remember how ruthless and effective the Tory election machine is and the Labour Party past record for shooting itself in the foot. 

Picture of me, John W, Charlene and out top West Ham Labour activist, Varghese

Newham Labour Unions - the Right to Strike

 

Picture collage from meeting on Thursday evening at St Lukes, Canning Town. This is the second meeting in Newham of Labour Party supporters who are trade union activists. Our launch was here https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2022/10/labour-national-day-of-action-canvass.html. Unmesh Desai and myself both chaired. Some key supporters were unable to attend due to clashes. 

The focus of the meeting was opposing the Tory attempts to get rid of the basic human right to take strike action. 

Our main speaker was Michael Gavan, from the NEU union, who explained the threat but was also able to give an update on the previous day's strike action in Schools across Newham. The bill (which should be called the "sacking of nurses and teachers" Act) has passed the House of Commons but has yet to go to the House of Lords. Since it is not a Government manifesto commitment, the Lords can cause problems. But we cannot rely on the Lords or even legal challenges, we must campaign as a movement to defeat it. 

Rohit Das Gupta also gave an update on UCU industrial action and I gave one on the UNISON London Ambulance. strikes (next strike is 10 Feb).

There was also a thoughtful and constructive discussion about next steps and agreed to consider a number of proposals such as a Labour union stall outside Stratford station on the "Right to Strike", possibly combined to celebrate "Love Unions" week 13-19 Feb;WhatsApp Broadcast Group on dates and times of Newham pickets lines and protests; Supporting local strike action by CWU; writing articles for Labour movement media on what we are trying to achieve in Newham and supporting the Workers Memorial Day Event in Stratford on 28 April. 

We are hoping to arrange monthly meetings from now on rotating from West Ham to East Ham. All Newham Labour Party supporters and trade union activists welcome. 

Hat tip photos Shantu

Local authority pension fund investment in affordable housing: is there a case for doing more? APPG 22 Feb 23

I am speaking at this virtual APPG event and looking forward to debating this key topical issue. Can local authority pension funds invest in "affordable" homes and still make an appropriate return? 

The terms "affordable" and of course "social" housing are in my view misused and arguably meaningless. Sub market rents are obviously better than market rents but very often they are "unaffordable" to so many in housing need. 

The Government interference into investment decisions and governance by Local Authority pension funds is also of concern. Will they try and force funds to invest into possible vanity infrastructure projects?  

While I believe that residential housing can be a very appropriate asset class (type of investment) for pension funds, if we want subsidised truly "affordable" or dare I say "social" rents (40-50% below most market rents) then we need subsidy from someone to bring rent levels down. This is not rocket science.

It is not only about rent levels but if you provide homes you also have to consider housing management standards, benefit allowances, security of tenure and meaningful resident participation.

Hat tip Inside Housing for great picture

ONLINE EVENT – REGISTER HERE

SPEAKERS

Paddy Dowdall (Assistant Executive Director at Greater Manchester Pension Fund)

Helen Collins (Head of Affordable Housing, Savills)

Cllr John Gray (Vice-Chair, Local Authority Pension Fund Forum)

John Butler (Finance Policy Lead, National Housing Federation)

Chair: Clive Betts MP

I am delighted to invite you to attend the next meeting of the APPG for Local Authority Pension Funds which will focus on local authority pension fund investment in affordable housing.

Local government pension funds have steadily increased their investment in place-based impact investments, which include both new and refurbished affordable housing. Most of the investment - from build to rent and shared ownership to temporary accommodation and specialist housing - is through co-investment partnerships and special purpose delivery vehicles with investment companies, charities and private and social housing providers.

Some have called for LGPS funds to further scale up investment in alternative assets and invest more in affordable housing. The Government is also calling on the LGPS to increase local investment and the chancellor has stated that the government will consult on requiring LGPS funds to consider illiquid asset investment opportunities.

This Zoom event will discuss what has been achieved and what more could be done to maximise investment opportunities. It will examine recent experience and best practice and explore the constraints and barriers to investing in affordable housing.

This meeting will be held online, if you want to attend please register here.

Best wishes

Clive Betts MP

Chair, APPG for Local Authority Pension Funds

Sent by the Secretariat of the APPG for Local Authority Pensions Funds which is sponsored by the LAPFF

Newham Voices Feb 2023: Support the Strikers!

 

Check out this latest edition of our independent, not for profit community newspaper Newham Voices 

East London & the Olympics 10 years on - where next? Unmesh Desai AM

 Yesterday evening there was a reception at London City Hall (Newham!) hosted by East London & City Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai. The theme was about the Olympics 2012 legacy. There was a number of interesting speakers and it was good to meet up face to face again with colleagues from across London. 

There was of course the obligatory photo of us all from Newham Labour :-)