UNISON and Labour Unions phone bank with David Lammy MP

 Picture collage from last night's "dialogue" phone bank organised by Labour Unions and Greater London UNISON Labour Link. 

David Lammy MP gave us a quick briefing beforehand on how important it is that we have a Labour Mayor & Assembly in London to protect Londoners against some of the excesses of Tory Government misrule. 

He spoke very movingly about why he is such a passionate UNISON member mainly because of the support the union gave to his Mum when she had serious employment issues. 

David also made a valid point that while many of us (Labour Party activists) prefer to campaign by knocking on doors rather than ringing people, you probably end up speaking to more people by phone than "on the knocker". 

I could only spend 45 minutes last night on the actual phone bank but did manage to gain 7 contacts which is probably more than I would have gathered if I had been knocking on doors. 

(I am pleased that I now have "Sadiq Khan for Mayor" leaflets which I will be delivering over the bank holiday weekend)  

LAPFF Webinar Colombian worker perspectives from Cerrejón Coal mine

 

Next week I will chair this LAPFF (Local Authority Pension Fund Forum) webinar which is aimed at investors. If you wish to join please apply here

Shrewsbury Pickets, Political Policing and the State

Fantastic news last week when the "Shrewsbury 24" (including Royle family actor Ricky Tomlinson) was cleared at the Court of Appeal. I have a clash on Wednesday but hope to join this event. 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shrewsbury-pickets-political-policing-and-the-state-tickets-147119766181

"Online meeting to celebrate and learn from the significant victory of the 'Shrewsbury 24' in quashing their almost 50-year-old convictions.

About this Event

On Tuesday 23rd March 2021 the Court of Appeal made the following judgement in the case of our clients Ricky Tomlinson, Arthur Murray and the ‘Shrewsbury 24.’

“It follows that under Ground 1, the convictions of all the appellants are unsafe.

Their appeals are allowed and all the verdicts in relation to them are quashed.” (pt.99)

The convictions of the ‘Shrewsbury 24’ have been quashed. They are unsafe, and they walk from this court – as they have always been - innocent men.

We say they are victims of police corruption, of a political trial, and of a Conservative Government – who at the time were looking to take revenge against the trade union movement.

Join us online on Wednesday 31 March at 6.30pm to analyse and discuss the historical lessons to learn from this courageous struggle.

Speakers:

Ricky Tomlinson (Shrewsbury Picket and jailed Trade Unionist)

John McDonnell (Labour MP)

Dave Smith (Blacklist Support Group)

Piers Marquis and Annabel Timan (Doughty Street Chambers barristers)

UNISON NEC Election 2021: Your Community team standing for re-election

 

Both Denise and I have been nominated and accepted by the returning officer to stand again in the UNISON National Council Elections (NEC). 

The UNISON NEC is hugely important in our union and acts as the decision making "Parliament" of UNISON outside our annual National Conference meetings. 

We are standing for the Community NEC seats (representing UNISON members who work for Voluntary organisations and Housing Associations). 

Denise is re-standing for the Community Female Seat, she works for a Charity in Wales.  I am re-standing for the Community General Seat and work for a Housing Association in London. 

Postal ballot papers for all NEC positions will be sent to members home addresses from 4 May 2021 and the election ends on 27 May 2021. The results will be announced on 11 June 2021.

Weekly Politics Show: Newham Voting For Change Campaign with Cllr John Gray...

It was great to be interviewed yesterday evening on Relaks TV by Tower Hamlets Cllr Puru Miah (Labour Party) and Cllr Andrew Woods (Independent member of Conservative Group) on the referendum campaign for the Committee model in Newham on May 6. 

The interview lasts about 25 minutes and I hope people will find it interesting but while I was invited because of my involvement in Newham Voting For Change, this interview reflects my views and not everyone associated with the campaign. 

My basic argument was if you want change in Newham then vote for the Committee model in the referendum on May 6. If you are happy with the status quo and don't want change then vote to retain the Executive Mayor model. 

You can see more developed arguments for the committee model at our website https://newhamforchange.org/ or check our our twitter account https://twitter.com/ForNewham or our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/newhamvotingforchange. 

You can also donate to our crowdfunding page https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/newham-for-change

THANK YOU BIN CREWS: COVID-19 Community Heroes

 

Love it. Sent to me by a former Newham Council worker, who now lives in a part of Norfolk I know well since there are a number of UNISON members I represent who work there. 

Lets properly honour all our COVID-19 Community Heroes by giving them a decent pay rise. 

Greater London UNISON Housing Association Branch 2021

 

I was really pleased that tonight's virtual AGM went so well. We had over 60 people attending which is far more than we have had in the past attending physical AGMS. Our AGM last year was cancelled at the last moment due to the first Covid lockdown. In 2019 our AGM was held in the House of Commons! 

Many thanks to our excellent keynote speaker, Sem Moema, a UNISON member who has worked in Housing Associations for many years and is now the Labour candidate in the London GLA elections in May for Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest. 

As the branch Labour Link officer (I was pleased to be elected unopposed at the AGM) I gave a report encouraging members to get active in the London Mayoral & GLA election by taking part in phone banks or delivering leaflets. I will be circulating Labour Unions events on branch social media. But also we want more of our  branch members to become more active in the Labour Party bringing our trade union values into the Party by becoming Councillors or delegates. 

I asked our branch activist Omolola Oyewusi to say a few words about her campaign to become the first ever black Police Crime Commissioner in May. Omolola is standing in Kent and would welcome any funding or assistance. 

The AGM also had reports from the Chair, Treasurer, Communications officer, branch case workers, regional organisers and then discussed nominations to vacant committee posts. I moved a rule change motion on organising UNISON committee structures in all our large employers which was passed. 

It was really nice to see the positive comments in the "chat box" from members who had never attended a union meeting beforehand but thanked our staff, regional organisers and local reps for all their help and support during these recent dreadful times. 

UK average house prices / Average yearly salary

While I cannot find the exact ONS link on this "Politics for All" tweet it seems about right. The complete and utter unaffordability of housing in the UK is just a national disgrace and a betrayal of our young people.

How on earth can they pay around 10 times their annual income to buy a home? I just despair at what the London ratio must be.

1960: £2200 / £500 

1970: £4300 / £850 

1980: £22,000 / £4000 

1990: £60,000 / £9000 

2000: £78,000 / £15,600 

2010: £162,000 / £21,000 

2020: £230,000 / £28,500 

Today: £250,000 / £29,800 

Via @ONS

Labour Unions: NHS Fair Pay Rally & Phone Bank

This evening there was a really positive Labour Unions NHS Fair Pay rally with speakers Paula Barker MP, Chair; Cllr Linda Hobson, Unison Rep & Nurse; Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe, Unite National Officer for Health; Holly Turner, GMB Rep & Nurse and Jo Stevens MP.

Totally agree with my UNISON comrade, NHS nurse & fellow Councillor @LindaAHobson

"NHS staff are wheeled out by the Govt for photo opps but when it comes to pay we're just insulted.  

That's why we have to hit the phones and win votes for Labour on May 6"

Th erally was followed by a 60 minute Labour phone bank for Labour local elections using the dialogue software.  

I made 31 calls, had 47 call outcomes (whatever that means) and 10 voter surveys completed. 

Many thanks to Joe Cox from Labour Unions and Gail McDude from the Labour Party for organising this rally and phone bank. 

"May 6th: A day to shape Newham's future"

Check out this article by Newham Councillor and Chair of Scrutiny, John Whitworth, on why residents should vote for change in the Mayoral referendum on May 6th. Hat tip Newham Voices

"May 6^th is the date, not only for the election of the London Mayor and Greater London Assembly Member, but also for the important Newham Governance Referendum. This comes 20 years after this borough voted to have one of the country’s first Directly-Elected Mayors in a referendum which was perhaps not widely nor fully understood. Newham was one of only 11 authorities which voted to adopt the Mayor model and there are currently just 15, with many more referendums proposing a Mayor being lost than won. Since 2002, the voters of Stoke-on-Trent, Hartlepool and Torbay have opted to abandon the Mayor model they had previously adopted, two for the Leader and Cabinet and one for the Committee model.

Sir Robin Wales, elected Mayor of Newham in 2002, remained in office until he was defeated by Cllr Rokhsana Fiaz in the selection for the Labour Party’s Mayoral candidate in 2018. Of those who believed this model would work better with Cllr Fiaz in the post, many also felt that the DEM model was in any case flawed. She expressed the view that this model had not worked well for Newham and pledged, if elected, to hold a referendum on its future by May 2021.

How the full powers of the Mayor are used depends greatly on the incumbent’s character but, according to the Local Government Act 2000, the Mayor – elected separately from the councillors and therefore of higher status - appoints and dismisses Cabinet members. Stemming from this authority, the Mayor is able to ensure the Cabinet’s assent and exercise considerable influence over the councillors belonging to the dominant party.

In contrast, under the Committee model the Council delegates decision-making powers to committees corresponding to Council directorates, such as Adults & Health and Inclusive Economy & Housing. Full Council elects the chairs of these committees and the Council Leader, and has direct responsibility for the overall policy framework and the budget.

The campaign group, Newham Voting for Change, believes that the Committee system is more democratic, equal and inclusive than the DEM system because all councillors participate in making policy. Working in committees encourages co-operation rather than division, talent is nurtured and expertise developed more productively, and all councillors are more accessible and accountable for the Council’s actions.

 Residents will hopefully participate in the referendum in large numbers to play a role in shaping Newham’s future".

Check out 

https://newhamforchange.org/

@ForNewham

https://www.facebook.com/newhamvotingforchange

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/newham-for-change