West Ham Branch Labour Party Summer BBQ & Fundraiser: Thursday 31 August 7-9pm

This will be a fun event taking place at the Vicarage Lane Community Centre, Govier Close, West Ham, E15 4HW.

Please RSVP to branch secretary John Whitworth if you are planning to come.  All members and their guests welcome.

Hat tip invite Seyi

Lobby LGA Employers Pay Consultation: London Councils Monday 14 August

I have a clash but hope this important lobby in support of decent pay for all Council workers goes well! I will be submitting a motion on pay to the next Newham Labour Group and branch/CLP meeting. 

"Don’t cat-call, comrades. Support common sense". As controversy continues over defining Jew-hate, read a Marxist view

On Friday the Jewish Chronicle published this article by my libel blogging mate David Osler (aka other names).

By coincidence that day I met with Dave and his partner Stroppy in a Hackney restaurant for a prearranged "put the world to rights" meal, gossip and drink.

This is what was published in the JC:-

"Appealing for an outbreak of sweet reason between Zionists and anti-Zionists is never easy, especially when undertaken by a veteran Marxist with political views a long way from those of the average JC reader.

But, at the risk of displeasing both sides, I want to urge the hard-left to back the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism. Then let me double down, and urge Jewish organisations to commit to using this reasonable instrument in a reasonable way.

The issue hit the headlines after Haringey last week became the latest local authority to adopt the document, despite opposition from sections of the left.

I say “sections of the left” deliberately. Both Jeremy Corbyn himself and Labour left umbrella group Momentum have explicitly made clear they see no problem here.

Lining up against are primarily those socialists who maintain the IHRA definition somehow outlaws legitimate criticisms of the Israeli state, to the detriment of work for Palestinian rights.

And legitimate criticisms aplenty can be levelled at the actions of Israel’s government. But illegitimate criticisms inspired by traditional Protocols-style antisemitism are sadly in circulation, too, and those are the ones on which the IHRA concentrates.

Its two-sentence formal definition of antisemitism is worded so broadly that no anti-racist could object. The same goes for much of the rest of the document.

Disagreement centres on just one or two lines, in particular the stipulation against “denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination”.

Much hinges on the interpretation of this passage.

Here, Zionists and anti-Zionists alike are going to have to display common sense.

Fairly read, the clause does not preclude advocacy of any standard radical formula.

The status quo, the two state solution, a bi-national democratic secular state, a democratic socialist federation of the Middle East, or even the anarchist “no state” stance are all proper propositions for discussion.

After all, any settlement actually agreed by those that live in the region exemplifies, on any reasonable construal, self-determination in action.

Anything less is resolutely contrary to that principle. That is the politics of the fascist right and revanchist nationalism, not the politics of the left.

And it goes without saying that accurate reportage is always valid, even where it shows the Israel Defence Forces or Jewish politicians anywhere in a poor light.

Meanwhile, if the unnecessarily parlous state of relations between the left and the Jewish community — which likely cost Labour seats in June — is to be overcome, the first step should be to rebuild bridges.

So don’t cat-call from the public gallery next time IHRA comes up for debate, comrade. Urge your Labour councillor to support it".

David Osler is a journalist and long-standing left wing Labour activist

Essex Walks: Matching - Sunday 6 August 2017

Off message but Gill and I did a lovely circular 5.3 mile walk today around Matching in Essex (near Harlow). You start at the ancient village church and walk down the road to the most glorious english duck pond ever. You then cross lush meadows surrounded by woods spoilt only slightly by the occasional jet taking off in the distance from Stansted airport and the faint hum of the M11.

You walk away from this into quiet country lanes and across overgrown bridleways. If you don't like getting your legs a little scratched from thorns and nettles then don't wear shorts.

We passed huge fields planted with a crop of peas or beans that appear to have been left to go black and rot for unknown reasons. Then massive field after field of golden wheat just waiting to be harvested.

There were also countless massive dragonflies and fluttering butterflies with the occasional bird of prey up high on patrol for its next meal. Apart from that we saw hardly anyone for the entire walk.

Halfway through the walk, you could leave the route for the Fox pub in Matching Tye for a meal or drink but instead we enjoyed a picnic on the edge of a wood overlooking yet another expansion of wheat.

You finish off along farm tracks and end up again at the start point, the Church of St.Mary the Virgin which is well worth a visit. The guide book that you can buy inside for £2 suggests it was built on the site of a old Saxon Church and has been altered and rebuilt a number of times during the past 1000 years.

I note that the distinguished Welsh scholar and poet, John Morgan, was a vicar here 1728-1732.

30m to the west of the church is the "unique" two story "Wedding Feast Room" built in the late 15th century "for the entertainment of poor people on their wedding day". Amazing.

In the church there is also a memorial to the 197 American airman from 391st Bomb Group who were killed, wounded or missing while based at the Matching airfield from January to October 1944 in support of the D Day Landing.

This was a great walk only 40 minutes drive from East London in a particularly lovely part of Essex.

Hat tip Essex Walks

What has a Labour Government ever done for us? Oh Yes, Redundancy payments

Hat tip Labour history website & twitter feed "On this Day" OTD in 1965. Redundancy Payments Act. "Gives workers the right to receive financial sum should they lose a job".

Great picture of Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, with his famous pipe overlooking (I am pretty sure) the Durham Miners Gala parade. 

So many people take it for granted that if they are made redundant that they will get money to tide them over until they get get another job or are able to retire. This act also made sure that workers would receive redundancy money even if their employer went bust. 

Redundancy not only softens the blow of losing your job it is also a safety blanket since due to Tory anti worker laws you have little or no employment protection for the first 2 years of your new job and you will probably only have limited company sick pay for the first few years as well (or longer). 

It is important to remember these anniversaries. Many workers think that redundancy is some sort of God given right. It's not. 

This didn't just "happen" - it was the result of a Labour government being elected and trade union campaigning for justice at work.

Never forget this

Black History Month, Carnival & Conference 2018

Black Members – please see important information below to action or note, thanks.

Notting Hill Carnival, London, 27-28 August

Notting Hill Carnival is Europe’s largest street festival representing London's multicultural past and present. UNISON has a regular presence every year at the carnival through its relationship with South Connections, an award winning group – many of whom are NHS workers.

This year we will be promoting UNISON’s key messages and campaigns and engaging as many members as possible. To volunteer - from distributing information to wearing a costume - email blackmembers@unison.co.uk

UNISON Celebrates the Journey of Black Trade Unionism

UNISON is organising a networking and community event to celebrate Black History Month at the UNISON Centre on Friday 20^th October from 11am to 6.30pm. The event will focus on the journey and link with trade unionism that brought many Black people to the shores of Great Britain. The theme for the event is “The History of Black Trade Unionism across the Diaspora – The Journey". There will be presentations on educational aspects of Black History Month, which will also include music, poetry, food from different continents of the world and lots of drinks and nibbles. Speakers include Dave Prentis, General Secretary, Margaret McKee, UNISON President, Rakesh Patel, Thompsons Solicitors, Francis Duku, Show Racism the Red Card, Oku Ekpenyon, Memorial 2007 and others. To attend the event, you will need to register your interest at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-black-history-month-event-tickets-36153354657.

National Black Member’s Conference, Liverpool, 19-21 January 2018

The 2018 UNISON National Black Members’ Conference bulletin is now available on the UNISON Conference website. The conference is now open for registration on the Online Conference System (OCS). The conference will be held at the BT Centre, Liverpool from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 January. If you are interested in attending, now is the time to speak to your branch about registering you as a delegate to the conference.

Margaret Greer

National Officer, Race Equality

"Dozens pay their respects to war victims killed when a bomb hit their bus"

Hat tip Newham Recorder "Cllr and members of the public attending a vigil on Dames Road where a V1 flying bomb landed killing people on a bus outside the Holly Tree pub

Dozens gathered to pay their respects to Forest Gate’s war dead on the anniversary of the night a bomb hit a bus during the Second World War.

The event, organised by Forest Gate North Labour Party, was held at the site of the 1944 blast outside The Hollytree Pub in Dames Road.

It is thought around 20 people died in the explosion, although no reliable record exists because wartime press censorship stopped much detail being published in order to limit the information available to the enemy about attacks.

Cllr Seyi Akiwowo, one of the organisers of Thursday’s event, said: “The event was fantastic. It was put together at short notice and there was a good turnout. I’m glad we were able to pay our respects.”

In his speech at the vigil, Cllr Anam Islam said: “Now, just as then, the price we pay for liberty is eternal vigilance against racism and prejudice.”

West Ham MP Lyn Brown, who was unable to attend the event, told of its importance.

She said: “It is right and important that we commemorate those who perished or lost loved ones in the fight against fascism, and just as important that we remember the anti-fascist and anti-racist heritage of the East End with pride.

“Levels of racist, Islamophobic, and anti-Semitic hate crime have all risen over the past year, and it is important we draw on this past to bring us together and renew the fight against far-right ideology and its terrible effects. That aim will be easier to achieve if we have a more accurate narrative of what actually happened.”

Eyewitness Cyril Demarne is quoted in The Heroic Story of the Second World War Bomb Disposal Teams by James Owen as saying: “A trolley bus, crammed with home going workers, had caught the full blast and the whole area was a sickening sight.

“Dismembered bodies littered the roadway, others were splattered over the brickwork of the houses across the way and the wreckage of the trolley bus was simply too ghastly to describe.

“The lower deck seated passengers were all dead. Although many of the victims had been decapitated, they were still sitting down, as if waiting to have their fares collected.”

(the V1 flying Bomb landed just outside Newham but much of the bomb damage and deaths were inside modern Forest Gate. A 80 year old local resident who remembered being told about the attack pointed out to us the exact impact. The death toil was at least 38 and probably much more) 

Grenfell Tower: The anatomy of a disaster & the future of social housing in London - Newham Fabians 20 Sept 2017

This looks like a really good event. Well done to the new Newham Fabians Officers for organising this. Thankfully we now have a local Fabian society that  actually does stuff! Tom will be a great speaker. 

Bron Afon Strike action over slashed wages

Good luck to Unison members about to start a further bout of strike action tomorrow. I will be sending a message of support both as a Unison NEC for such community members and behalf of our branch executive.  See letter below explaining the dispute in local newspaper.

"THERE’S a critical dispute happening in Cwmbran. Support workers at Bron Afon housing association have been forced to take strike action after their employer stripped £3,000 from their salaries.

They are not highly-paid and no-one goes into support work to become rich but Bron Afon behaviour has created horrible stress and reduced many staff to tears. In the struggle to make ends meet, some are looking at second jobs or dropping out of the pension scheme. 

Support workers are dedicated to helping improve the quality of life for vulnerable people and give them more independence. Their vital interventions allow service users to keep their home.

Yet because of the slashing of salaries, some employees are themselves at risk of having to leave their homes because they can’t pay the bills. 

Staff are fighting back, taking three days strike action and they were pleased to be joined on the picket line this week by Nick Thomas-Symonds MP and Lynne Neagle AM. Bron Afon can afford to restore the £3,000 to each individual.

There is a moral duty to end the suffering of their staff now".

Cheryl Morgan
UNISON Torfaen County branch secretary
Civic Centre
Pontypool

UPDATE: Subject: Re: Message of support

Thank you so much John, we don't need financial support at the moment but will let you know if we get to that point

Our striking members are very strong and will really appreciate your expression solidarity

Cheryl Morgan

Branch Secretary

UNISON Torfaen 

Sense about fantasy pension deficits

A great article by Henry Tapper in his blog "Pension Playpen" about the nonsense being spread about the "fantasy deficits" of by the huge UK pension fund, University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

The USS has produced investment returns of 21% increasing its assets to £60 billion in the last year yet due to the broken accounting yardstick that many pensions schemes use to value their liabilities, its supposed deficit has increased by 33% to £71 million.

What a load of old nonsense. As Henry points out why has the deficit increased by such an amount? Have university staff suddenly increased their lifespan by a third?

No, of course they have not and shame on the Daily Mail headline hunters, who claim that lecturers will have to be sacked or  student fees increased to pay for these "fantasy deficits".

Check the comments page of his post for a useful contribution by former pensions minister, Roz Altmann on why gilt driven liability investment is bonkers (my interpretation)