UNISON Women's Conference 2023: Denise Thomas report

Guest post by Denise Thomas.

"I attended Women’s Conference as a delegate from Cymru Wales, Ymlaen/Forward Branch.

This year it was held in the wonderful seaside resort of Bournemouth. Firstly, it was great to see so many friendly faces as this was the first face to face Women's conference since Covid.

Conference held a minute silence to remember Brianna Ghey and other Transgender people who died at the hands of violence

There were many interesting motions and great speakers on Cost of living, sexual abuse, industrial action and mental health amongst young workers. These were all motions that resonated with me, working as a Black support worker for a national charity supporting vulnerable residents, who live in a 24/7 residential project.

Our General Secretary, Christina McAnea gave a great speech to conference, which was well received, explaining how Women are at the forefront of so many of our disputes and campaigns, fighting for fair pay and for the future of our public services. Women are empowering women to not give up with the challenges we are facing.

Labour Bridget Phillipson, Shadow Secretary of State for Education addressed conference about the importance of childcare and education in Labours plans to form the next UK government. Many exciting ideas and plans.

Attending the Community Service group meeting, which continues to struggle and still experiencing the same issues, lack of pay due to the lack of local government funding, lone working, shortage of staff plus recruitment due to low pay, facility time plus the difficulties of organising due to the workforce being so fragmented.

With the cost of living continuing to rise, members are having to work extra hours or having to take on a second job in order to just survive.

Conference congratulated Sian Stockham, Unison Member for National Executive Council, on receiving an OBE for her Political and Public Services".

Blackmore, Essex - Walk Feb 23

Gill and I went on another Big Essex Skies and Sunshine walk today, starting and finishing in Blackmore. This was a "moderate" 7.41 mile walk only 35 minutes by car from East London (public transport not great but possible). Considerate parking on street available. 

We started off with a coffee and tea outdoors at the Blackmore Tea Rooms (I "had to" have a hot sausage roll as well). This cafe was full of brightly clad cyclists also enjoying a drink or bite to eat.

Blackmore and the surrounding villages, hamlets and cottages are simply lovely, with lots of ancient duck ponds, green lanes, footpaths, forests and heathland. 

There is even a pub, The Cricketer" run by "Gray and Sons" breweries (no known relative unfortunately).

The birdsong was marvellous and we heard at least 3 different woodpeckers. Lots of signs of spring. 

There was some noise from local non commercial planes but nothing major. We saw 3 road motorbikes riding along a public footpath, but they were travelling quite slow. I took a picture but the number plates are not clear, so I have not been able to report to Police/Council. 

There was an unusual warning notice in a wood "Caution Archery practice in progress" but we could see no such activity at this time. 

Apart from the marvellous spring like weather, the walk had lots of variety, walking through fields, Common land, forests and villages. A little bit of up and down but this is Essex. 

I finished off with a pint of Doombar in the "Prince Albert" (the only ale available at that time on tap)

I downloaded this walk via the Ordnance Survey site for free (a subscription service but definitely recommended and it originated from the Country Walking site).  We just used the app to navigate and for once did not get lost (apart from few "mishaps" which were easily corrected)

This post with further pictures and map will be on my personal Facebook page but also on https://www.facebook.com/walksinandaroundlondon/. This site has nearly all our walks listed. 

UNISON Greater London Housing Associations Branch e-newsletter: Feb 2023

 

Welcome to the Branch Newsletter! 

Last Monday, we all heard the horrible news about the powerful earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria early in the morning. A week later there are still many people trapped under debris, and the ones who managed to escape from the buildings were left homeless and without any shelter or support in severe weather conditions. If you wish to help, please donate money to the Emergency Earthquake Fund. You can do that by visiting the website: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/turkey-emergency-earthquake-fund 

Barbara Zagrodniczek Branch Communications Officer 

Opportunity to represent the Branch at UNISON 2023 National Delegate Conference Date: Friday, 13th June 2023 – Sunday, 16th June 2023 Location: Liverpool 

In the last issue of the Newsletter we announced that we are looking for members who wish to represent the Branch at the National Delegate Conference. Due to an error in the provided email address, we would like to extend the deadline to 3:00pm on Friday, 24th February 2023. If you would like to attend, please send your details along with a supporting statement (max. 100 words) to AGM.Admin@unisonhablondon.org 

For those who already submitted the statement, we kindly ask you to re-send it to the above email address. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. Travel, accommodation, and meals will be paid for by the Branch in line with our expenses policy. We look forward to your responses. 

Upcoming Events UNISON LGBT+ London Region to celebrate LGBT+ History Month (In person) Thu, 16th February at 6:30pm-9:00pm at Queer Britain Museum, 2 Granary Square, London, N1C 4BH 

The Regional LGBT+ Committee would like to invite you to celebrate LGBT+ History Month at the UK’s first ever dedicated LGBT+ museum. The regional UNISON LGBT+ committee will be holding its first LGBT+ History Month in person since 2020. We are really excited for this event which is open to all members. Karl Lewis, the LGBT+ Officer will be in attendance. Please get in touch if you want to find out more. 

Sign up for the event here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unison-london-lgbt-history-month-receptionat-queer-britain-tickets-531844419977 

Branch’s AGM (Hybrid meeting) Wednesday, 8th March 2023 at 6:00pm-8:00pm (in person and virtual) 

Details will be circulated separately by email. 

Women’s Training and Networking Event (In person event) Friday, 10th March 2023 at 10:00am-4:30pm at UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London, NW1 2AY 

It is an annual women’s training and networking event hosted by the Regional Women’s Committee. The event is aimed at all elected branch officers who are women, and branch women’s contacts. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is essential. The deadline to submit registration forms is 24th February 2023. If you are interested in attending, please get in touch with Barbara Zagrodniczek, Branch Communications Officer at AGM.Admin@unisonhablondon.org 

International Workers Memorial Day (In person event) Friday, 28th April 2023, Bow, East London 

Please save the date in your calendars. More details will follow soon. 

Branch Officers’ Reports (February 2023) 

Chris Milson – Branch Secretary 

Working people are continuing to stand-up all-over Britain, fighting for better pay and conditions, catalysed by the current cost of living crisis and a Westminster government that is proving deaf to their concerns. In UNISON, public service workers in local government, education, health, and other sectors either have been striking, or have strike dates booked in the coming weeks. 

The UNISON Housing Associations Branch stands in solidarity with all union members that take the difficult decision to go on strike for better pay and conditions. 

Your Branch Needs You The UNISON Housing Association Branch’s AGM is next month. We’ve had an eventful year and all officers of the Branch Executive will be talking about what they’ve done in their elected roles this year for the Branch and its members. If you can, please come along and hear about what we’ve been doing, and what our goals are for the coming year. 

You can also stand for election to join the committee – look out for the online nomination form we’ll be sending out shortly. If you care about your Branch, and believe that you, or another member you know, has something to offer in helping to run it – do please consider nominating them or yourself for an Executive Officer position. 

Barbara Zagrodniczek – Branch Communication Officer 

In October 2022 I edited and circulated the first issue of the Branch Newsletter. Five months later I am proud to see that more and more of our members are taking part in the surveys and are putting themselves forward to represent the Branch at different forums. 

I hope we will be continue sharing similar opportunities with you in the future. I continue to work on improving Branch communications. This is why I am pleased to announce that our Branch is now ready to start publishing the Newsletter on the Branch website. I hope that this will make it more accessible to those who do not always have access to their emails. 

Further to that, we are planning to update content on the Branch website. 

Conference and Meeting Reports Greater London Regional Council AGM – 

Report For those of you who may not be aware, the Regional Council is the senior membership body which oversees the work of the Greater London region representing and supporting members, and it is being elected by all Greater London branches. The Annual General Meeting took place on Wednesday, 8 th February 2023 at Holiday Inn in Bloomsbury. Our Branch was represented by John Gray, Joseph Ogundemuren and myself. 

The meeting opened with passionate speeches given by Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, MP and Shadow Minister (Mental Health) and Sara Gorton, UNISON Head of Health. Both speakers focused on the importance of changes in the UK health system and solidarity with the Ambulance Service. 

After that, similarly to the Branch AGM, the meeting followed a standard agenda – minutes from the last AGM, matters arising, reports and motions. 

Our Branch submitted two motions. The first one, ‘Cost of Living’, was submitted for consideration as a regional motion to the 2023 National Delegate Conference. At the AGM it was presented by John Gray and received a positive response. 

The second one, ‘Year of the Black Worker’, was written in collaboration with the Croydon Local Government Branch and put forward by Joseph Ogundemuren. 

Barbara Zagrodniczek

(This communication has been written by a dyslexic person. If you have any trouble with the meaning of any of the sentences or words, please do not be afraid to ask for clarification)

Emergency Fundraising Dinner for Turkiye & Syria - Sisters Forum

This evening I went to support a fundraising dinner being held for disaster relief of victims of the recent deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria.  I think all of us have been pretty shocked by the media footage of the death and devastation caused and the plight of the survivors. 

The hall was fully booked and well supported by local residents including the Mayor, Chair of Council and other Councillors. Also many people from outside Newham. 

There was a number of powerful speakers but the most powerful and personal one was by Hulya Yilmza, who is from the region in Turkey that has been most affected. She described the loss of her family members and friends and some of the horrible injuries they had suffered. 

Many thanks to my Councillor colleague, Sabia Kamali, the Sisters Forum and sponsors for organising this important event so quickly and running it so well. 

You can donate online https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/emergency-earthquake

ONEUNISON - Winning for all UNISON members & our public services.

"UNISON holds elections every two years for the National Executive Council. It’s an important body representing every region, nation, service group, Black members, young members and disabled members. Key decisions about what our union does are made by the NEC.

This year’s elections are your chance to vote for a new leadership team that will get on with the job, work in partnership with our elected General Secretary, positively promote our union and stay focused on winning for all UNISON members and our public services.

ONE UNISON is a group of UNISON activists who will campaign for candidates who promise to do that. There are lots of candidates in these elections, so we’ll make it easy for you to choose!"

Check out this website https://www.oneunison.org/ and sign up for regular updates, articles and features. More info to follow.

A Service of Celebration for the Life of Kathy Taranczuk

Yesterday I went to celebrate the life of my former Housing manager, Kathy Taranczuk. Kathy had been the office manager of Ranwell/Old Ford local housing office in Bow from 1996 to 2007. I had been her senior housing officer. 

I went with my former colleague, Michelle Smith, to the service in Maidstone, Kent. 

The service itself went very smoothly and was indeed a celebration of Kathy's life. The tribute from her husband Jan, was particularly moving. 

Afterwards there was a very nice spread at a nearby hotel and a chance to chat and catch up with old friends. Jan and the family were very welcoming.

You can donate in memory of Kathy at the Heart of Kent Hospice https://www.hokh.org/support-us/make-a-donation-in-memory/funeral-donations/

Heart UNISON 2023

 

Check out UNISON website on #HeartUNISON #HeartUnions week 13-19 Feb

Heart UNISON is part of Heart Unions Week, the TUC’s annual event to celebrate unions, to make sure everyone knows why we’re vital at work, and to encourage everyone to join one.

The obvious link is today - "Valentine' Day (February 14) so it's a little tongue in cheek but this week is a time to remind members of the many vital benefits of being a trade union and to recruit non members.

Remember that there is research that Union members tend to be better paid than non union members, have better terms and conditions and are also safer at work.

As a UNISON rep, one of the worse things, I have to do is to refuse requests from non trade union members who are in trouble and want advice or representation on employment issues.

In UNISON (and I believe all unions) you cannot get advice or representation on any issue that began before you became a member and for 4 weeks afterwards. It's it a bit like trying to get car insurance after you have crashed your car.

However, as vital and important as individual representation is, the most important benefit of trade union membership is the unions negotiating and bargaining with your employer on collective terms and conditions such as pay, sickness policy, annual leave and pensions.

The more people in the union, the better the deal the unions will be able to negotiate on your behalf.

Now is the time to recruit as workers can see other workers uniting together to take on their employers for more pay and to protect services.

In my employer this week we have organised meetings and surveys for non trade union members on crucial issues such as the annual Pay Claim, Protecting Pensions, Bullying and Violence at work.

Stewards are encouraged to speak to non members in their teams about the benefits of joining the unions. Remember also that the reason given most often by people on why they are not in a union is that they say they have never been asked to join a union.

Check out the resources and materials on the UNISON and TUC website and lets all #LoveUnions this week and every week.

Join UNISON here https://join.unison.org.uk/. If you are unsure which union to join then check out this TUC site https://www.tuc.org.uk/join-a-union

Etholiadau NEC UNSAIN 2023: Datganiad John Gray ar gyfer Sedd Gyffredinol y Gymuned (Papurau pleidleisio yn gollwng 17/4/23)

"Rwy’n gweithio i gymdeithas tai ac yn mynd i’r afael ag ymddygiad gwrthgymdeithasol cymhleth, cam-drin domestig a thwyll tenantiaeth. Fel gweithiwr tai, rwy’n deall yn uniongyrchol straen ac anawsterau darparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Fel stiward a Chynullydd Cenedlaethol, rwy’n gweithio’n galed yn ddyddiol i helpu aelodau pan fo angen help arnynt fwyaf, gan eu cynrychioli gyda materion disgyblaeth, absenoldeb salwch ac achwyniadau yn ogystal â chyd-drafod gyda’m cyflogwr ar gyflog, amodau a thelerau.

Yn rhy aml, cais y sector cymunedol ei danbrisio a’i anwybyddu. Yn aml mae gennym amodau a thelerau gwaeth na’r rheiny sy’n cael eu cyflogi’n uniongyrchol gan ymddiriedolaethau ysbytai neu awdurdod lleol. Mae angen llywodraeth ar weithwyr cymunedol sy’n parchu ein sector a’r gwasanaethau pwysig rydym yn eu darparu.

Fy niddordeb arbennig yw pensiynau ac rwy’n cynrychioli UNSAIN ar ddau fwrdd pensiwn. Dylai fod gan bawb yr hawl i bensiwn teg a da, ac mae ein sector yn aml yn dioddef cyfraniadau cyflogwr is a buddion gwaeth.

Yn ogystal â bod yn weithiwr rheng flaen, rwy’n actifydd profiadol. Fi yw Cynullydd UNSAIN Cenedlaethol dros fy nghyflogwr ac rwy’n Aelod Gweithredol y Grŵp Gwasanaethau Cymunedol, ac yn gyn-aelod NEC. Rwyf wedi bod yn aelod gweithredol ar gyfer canghennau llywodraeth leol a chymunedol ers dros 29 o flynyddoedd, ac yn flaenorol rwyf wedi bod yn ysgrifennydd, yn drysorydd ac yn swyddog iechyd a diogelwch cangen.

Fel eich aelod NEC, rwy’n addo mynd i’r afael â’r materion sy’n bwysig a rhoi ein haelodau wrth wraidd popeth – fel yr wyf wedi’i wneud bob tro.

Pleidleisiwch dros Denise Thomas (Sedd Gymunedol Fenywaidd)

Os ydyn ni’n cael ein hethol, rydym yn addo’r canlynol:

Rhoi Aelodau’r Gymuned yn Gyntaf – Byddwn yn cynrychioli pob un o’r 82,000 o aelodau UNSAIN gan godi’r materion sydd bwysicaf i aelodau’r gymuned a changhennau. Byddwn hefyd yn sicrhau bod aelodau’r gymuned yn derbyn safon cynrychiolaeth, cyngor cyfreithiol a chymorth gan UNSAIN pan fo’u hangen arnynt fwyaf.

Mynd i’r Afael â’r Argyfwng Costau Byw - mae angen codiad cyflog cyfiawn ym mhob cyflogwr trydydd sector a rhagor o adnoddau er mwyn i ganghennau wneud hynny. Mae gennym y cyflogau isaf a’r amodau a thelerau gwaethaf a disgwylir i ni oroesi ar ewyllys da a’n brwdfrydedd dros ein sector. Mae angen ariannu tymor hir gwirioneddol a pharch at y gwasanaethau pwysig rydym yn eu darparu.

Sefyll yn Unedig a Gwrthod Rhaniad - Byddwn yn gweithio gyda, ac yn cefnogi Christina McAnea, yr Ysgrifennydd Cyffredinol etholedig i gyflawni ar gyfer yr holl aelodau. Gwnaeth pleidlais o ddiffyg hyder yn yr NEC y llynedd ddangos yr hyn sydd bwysicaf yw gweithio ar gyfer newid cadarnhaol a chynyddol yn ein hundeb - dim bychander a diogelu unigolion.

Sicrhau bod gan bawb lais yn UNSAIN - Mae gan y gymuned dros 80% o aelodau sy’n fenywod a 20% o aelodau du gyda gweithlu amrywiol ar draws yr holl ranbarthau a chenhedloedd. Mae’n rhaid i UNSAIN gynrychioli’r holl aelodau a dylai’r NEC gael ei arwain gan y rheiny sy’n gwneud.

Brwydro yn erbyn gwahaniaethu a’i roi wrth wraidd UNSAIN- Ni ddylai unrhyw un byth brofi hiliaeth, casineb at fenywod, rhywiaeth, trawsffobia, homoffobia, rhagfarn ar sail oedran, anabledd neu unrhyw ffurf arall ar wahaniaethu naill ai yn y gweithlu neu’r undeb. Rydym yn addo gweithio gyda’r holl Grwpiau Hunan-drefnu i gefnogi eu blaenoriaethau".

UNISON NEC Elections 2023: John Gray Statement for Community General Seat (Ballot papers drop 17/4/23)

"I work for a housing association and deal with complex anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse and tenancy fraud. As a housing worker I understand first-hand the stresses and difficulties of providing public services. As a steward and National Convenor, I work hard every day to help members when they need it most, representing them in disciplinary, sickness absences and grievances as well as negotiating with my employer on pay, terms and conditions.

Too often the community sector is overlooked and underestimated. We often have much worse terms and conditions than those directly employed by hospital trusts or local authorities. Community workers need a government that respects our sector and the important services we provide.

My special interest is pensions and I represent UNISON on two pension boards. Everyone should have the right to a fair and decent pension, our sector often suffers from lower employer contributions and worse benefits. 

As well as being a front line worker I am an experienced activist. I’m the National UNISON Convenor for my employer and a Community Service Group Executive member, and former NEC member. I’ve been an active member of both local government & community branches for over 29 years, I’ve previously been branch secretary, treasurer, and health & safety officer.

As your NEC member, I promise to tackle the issues that matter and put our members’ front and centre- as I've always done.

Please also vote for Denise Thomas (Community Female seat)

If elected, we promise to:

Put Community Members First - We will represent every one of the 82,000 plus UNISON members raising the issues that matter most to Community members and branches. We will also make sure Community members get a high standard of representation, legal advice and support from UNISON when they need it most.

Tackle the Cost of Living Crisis - we need a decent pay rise in every third-sector employer and increased resources for branches to do so. We have the lowest pay, worst terms and conditions and are expected to survive on good will and our passion for our sector. We need proper, long-term funding and respect for the important services we provide.

Stand United and Reject Division - We will work with, and support, Christina McAnea, the elected General Secretary to deliver for all members. Last year’s vote of no confidence in the current NEC shows that what matters most is working for positive, progressive change in our union - not pettiness and protecting individuals.

Make sure everyone has a voice in UNISON - Community has over 80% Women and over 20% Black members with a diverse workforce across all regions and nations. UNISON must represent all members and the NEC should be led by those that do.

Fight Discrimination and put it at the heart of UNISON- No-one should ever experience racism, misogyny, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, ageism, disability or any other form of discrimination in either the workplace or the union. We promise to work with all the Self- Organised Groups to support their priorities".

Labour LGA Conference 2023 - Campaign Workshops

 

I am back home this evening after attending the annual Labour Local Government Association conference in Nottingham. It was a a great conference, with lots of practical ideas for Labour Councillors but also very inspiring as it seems (touch wood, fingers crossed, don't trust polls, need to work still very hard etc. etc.) that we need to change from being the "official opposition" to be being a real "Government in waiting". 

I arrived late yesterday and was only able to attend one of the 30 workshops held that day on "Digital Ward Councillor: The Basics" led by Cllr Michael Payne, Gedling Council, Deputy Leader LGA Labour Group. Which despite being a longstanding Labour social media "warrior" was excellent and I learnt a lot. I will post more on the conference during the next few days.