River Lee & Epping Forest Walk

 

Off message. On Sunday, Gill and I took a train from Wanstead Park (Forest Gate). Changed at Blackhorse Road for Victoria line  then one stop until Tottenham Hale. A 10 minute walk from station to River Lea. Then simply go north along the waterway on west bank then cross over by bridge on east bank of river. 

You go past sailing barges and numerous canal boats. Many of which are homes even in winter, with smoke coming out of their chimneys giving off Sunday roast cooking smells. 

This is not a totally peaceful countryside river walk but despite going underneath some busy roads there are quiet and isolated stretches. Some annoying (male) cyclists go past, who think they are competing in the towpath Tour de France, but generally, everyone is polite and considerate. 

We stopped off for coffee and watched a young squirrel misjudge a leap from tree to tree and fall into the water. S/he swam to the bank safely. 

It was also interesting to see the sheep eating the grass on the various fresh water reservoirs that line this route. 

We turned right along the A10 for about 15 minutes, just before KIng George's Reservoir towards Chingford before turning left then right into Pole Hill, Epping Forest. A nice climb to the top, past the pillar that mentions First World War soldier and author, TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) who lived in a hut on this hill for several years. 

Walk downhill alongside the golf course towards our finishing point at Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge. A pleasant linear walk of about 7 miles. Nothing too difficult apart from slight climb up Pole Hill. 

After which we had a pleasant Sunday roast dinner at the Royal Forest Hotel then took train back to Forest Gate. 

Check out more pictures on Facebook  

inUNISON - Beating the bullies

 

Check out this post in the new website inUNISON "by members for members" sign posting a great guide by UNISON on standing up to bullies and harassment in the workplace. 

by Carol Jones 1 minute read

"Supporting members in the workplace is a key role for activists and for UNISON. Sadly, one of the most common problems members face is bullying and/or harassment by managers or by colleagues.

There have always been managers who use bullying and/or harassment to get their way, and being a union member is the best method to protect yourself against them.

But as cuts bite, and in the current situation where COVID may also be causing staff shortages, members may come under increasing pressure to cover gaps in services: pressure which can amount to bullying.

Check out UNISON's guidelines on combating bullying and harassment in the resources section of the dedicated webpage on the UNISON website: https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/knowledge/discrimination/bullying-and-harassment

Out & about in West Ham and Canning Town

 

This morning I was out campaigning for Labour in West Ham Ward with my fellow Councillors John & Charlene, Party activists and a young pioneer!

The canvass went really well and I met a number of residents who I have advocated for over the years and spoke to others who were relatively new to the ward but really engaged with the community and pleased to talk to their Councillors over local issues. 

In the afternoon I went with our MP, Lyn Brown to Canning Town South. We joined one of the largest canvass teams I have been with since first lockdown. 

This was another positive canvass for Labour, there was some negativity over parking and the former Labour leadership but residents who had previously been against, were genuinely horrified about Boris and his staff, openly breaking the law, enjoying parties, while they had to lock down.  

I have been so cynical about Boris, that frankly, the recent revelations did not shock me that much, it was revealing how disgusted people are about his behaviour. 

We went past a block in Clements Avenue, where the first ever Council eviction for racial harassment took place in 1984 (top left). 

Afterward we stopped off for some snacks, drinks and for putting the world to rights. 

Yet more disasters by the UNISON NEC Far Left extremists - "Our union is at a crossroads"

It is no secret that we have now had disastrous ballot results for pay claims in Health and Local Government. The blame for which must lie squarely with the new UNISON NEC who decided to wage a civil war in the union.  As well as trying to sack our newly elected, first ever female, General Secretary, instead of trying to unite us. 

Check out below our former President, Chris Tansley views.  

"Our union is at a crossroads and the wrong decisions now could have profound consequences well into the future.

The far-left faction ‘Time for Real Change’ who already control the National Executive Council are now planning to extend their reach by taking over Regional Convenor Teams and the Service Group Elections.

Since assuming control of the NEC, Time for Real Change has focused attention not on the interests of members but on strengthening their control of the union. In the last 12months the union has lost almost 30,000 members and a good number of our activists, but Time for Real Change has focused on internal politics, and the wrong priorities.

Controversial motions to change our rules were pushed through against the advice of our General Secretary and legal officers. New rules for internal elections have been imposed which permit the involvement of outside political parties. Long-standing conventions that guaranteed a voice for our devolved nations have been dumped, and our Self Organised Groups have rightly criticised Time for Real Change for the lack of diversity in the lay leadership of our union.

This is a group supported and resourced by political organisations and groups from outside Unison in particular Momentum and the Socialist Workers Party. This last week we’ve seen among others John McDonnel MP launch the Time for Real Change SGE election campaign. The same people who led the Labour Party to its worst ever election defeat, left it mired in anti-Semitism, and were found to have acted illegally by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, are now invited to exercise power and influence in our union.

Time for Real Change is not representative of UNISON members, and we must ensure that our union remains focused on its members, addressing their issues, not taken on a political journey to the point of being irrelevant".
 

West Ham Ward ASB Action Day (and Italian Street Food)

 

This evening I went with Newham Council funded Met Police and Council Enforcement officers for a "walkabout" in West Ham ward, which I represent as a Councillor. Yesterday and today were ASB "Action Days" in West Ham and Stratford. Local ward Councillors were encouraged to join various teams tackling problems in our forum area. 

Tonight was very cold so there was no street drinkers to be found causing problems, so we concentrated on other issues in the locality. There was a number of actions found and I will also be raising members enquires for Newham Council, L&Q Housing Association and One Housing about public realm defects encouraging ASB, dumped cars on estate land and grossly inadequate communal area lighting. 

It was not only important for elected members to go out with our Police and Council officers to see what they do but also vital for us to listen and learn to the professionals about their experiences and their views on what works and what doesn't. This is a great initiative by officers and Cabinet lead Cllr James Beckles.  

On a more positive side, we walked pass the "Pasta Che Musica" Pop up Italian Street Food stall in Arthingworth Street, E15 and I introduced myself to the very friendly owner/chef. Which Newham officers assured me is fully licensed by the Council (and has 4.9 out of 5 google reviews) and will no doubt soon temp me to break my 2022 New Year Low Carb diet (yet again). 

Love UNISON: Housing Associations branch nominate Lola Oyewusi & John Gray for London Community SGE seats

 

I was really pleased this evening to be nominated unanimously by our branch committee to stand in the UNISON Community Service Group Executive 2022 elections for London alongside my fellow activist Lola Oyewusi. 

"Community" is the part of UNISON  that represents members who work in Housing Associations and the Voluntary Sector. The Service Group Executive is essentially the elected national "committee" for Community with reps from all regions and nations in the UK (and what we call sector reps). We are the faster growing part of UNISON. 

inUNISON - How do we organise our retired members?

Check out this article inUNISON on how can we organise our 160,000 retired members.

Denise Wilson 2 min read

How do we organise our retired members?

UNISON has over 160,000 members - more than 10% of our overall membership, so it’s no surprise that there is frequent talk of how we can be organised, especially as regards helping branches.

The Retired members organisation in UNISON is not a self-organised group (SOG). SOGs are for working members, so retired members are seen rather as a special category of membership. But there are many similarities, with branch, regional, and national levels of organisation, our own conference, and also relationships with external organisations through such groups as the TUC Pensioners Committee and the national pensioners’ conventions. So, not a SOG, but we do organise ourselves in a very similar way.

Many of us active retired members are also keen to assist our branches beyond the retired members organisation. And we know that many branches would appreciate help, especially with the current pressures on time-off and activist workloads.

There are three quick tips that I’d like to offer. For the more established and effective branches, these are probably standard operating procedure, but for those trying to build, or rebuild, their retired members organisation, I hope you will find them useful.

Tip 1. Work towards building a stronger relationship between the rest of the branch and the retired members. Something as simple as the branch secretary or another senior branch officer attending a retired members meeting a couple of times a year to listen to concerns and to report on branch business can make a real difference. The rulebook makes provision for the Retired Members Secretary to sit on the Branch Committee, but that can be quite limiting and formal.

Tip 2. Using the branch annual planning process can also help. Involving retired members reps in discussions about the branch year ahead means a chance to identify potential common activities, and allow for planned involvement of retired members. This should also mean a calendar of meetings and events that everyone gets to see and work towards.

Tip 3. Run a skills/interests survey amongst retired members. This can identify common interest groups and skills that the branch might be able to benefit from.

We all have to start somewhere, and there’s never been a more pressing time.

Nominate Sonya Howard and Clara Mason for London SGE seats

I am no longer in the Local Government Service Group for London but if I was, I would vote to nominate Sonya and Clara! 

"Dear Branches 

We are writing to you to request your branch nominations in the upcoming 2022 SGE Elections 

Who are we? 

Clara Mason -Assistant branch Secretary at Greenwich UNISON also currently female representative for London on the SGE. Standing for the Greater London SGE female seat membership number 107824223 

I am a teaching assistant who has a real understanding of schools’ members issues and support many of them during the pandemic with concerns around their safety during pregnancy, supporting them through individual risk assessment, ensuring school risk assessment were updated regularly and fully assessed the many risks faced by our members. 

I continued to support many of our reps in other roles like waste services, care workers and cleaners. I have championed mental health support not just for our members but for all reps who faced increased workloads and changes to way of working. 

A key success I have had is supporting many of our school support staff winning our term time only case which led to 5000 school support staff in Greenwich reviving back pay not only was this a success for Greenwich, but this has led to many other UNISON branches in London to successful challenge term time only contracts and get back what was rightfully members money. 

I want to continue championing for our London branches on the SGE ensuring that issues we all face are raised and that we push our Union to fight issues that effect our members and reps – we are set for some challenging times ahead with many employers and workplace try to recover from the 

Sonya Howard 1162788 Standing for Service Group Executive Greater London Local Government General Seat I am the Branch Chair Kensington and Chelsea Local Government branch. 

I have various National positions and have a vast amount of experience across UNISON and the Labour movement. Including negotiations across Tri -borough working. Over the years I have both organised successful disputes; lobbies, and campaigns across Labour and Tory led Councils ensuring better pay and condition for our members. 

Recently securing through Negotiations and a fairer pay and grading, with increased leave for many members. Continue to ensure that COVID working has seen members protected through risk assessment, including Negotiation new working from home ensuring no losses across the Council including our School members. 

A decent pay rise is needed more than ever before if we are to prevent members falling deeper into debt. This corrupt government sees inflation rising beyond 4% with a pitiful offer that will not prevent our members becoming classified as the working poor. 

We now need a clear strategy and leadership to build for solid support on future pay campaigns. I believe in strong democratic rights within the union and lay representation. I believe empowering our membership and standing up for fairness and transparency is crucial to take this union forward. 

We will bring Fresh approach to the SGE. Listening to our members including I promise that we will ensure the voices of our Black, LGBT+ , Women and Disabled will always matter and be heard. That UNISON Equality agenda will never be ignored. 

Yours in solidarity Sonya Howard and Clara Mason

Essendon & Little Berkhamsted Walk - Zeppelins, Albino Wallaby, Goats, Llamas, Donkeys & Commando

 

Gill and I went for a favourite walk in Essendon and Little Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Only 4.5 miles but lots of ups and downs with varied views. 45 Minutes by car (public transport access not great) from East London. 

The walk is detailed in this Pathfinder guide. We started the walk next to the church in Essendon. In 1916 a bomb was dropped by a first world war Zeppelin Airship on the church killing two sisters aged 26 and 12 (daughters of the local blacksmith).  

The weather was cold but the cloudy skies cleared and we had unexpected bright warm winter sunshine for most of the walk. 

We soon came across a lonely albino wallaby in a woodland "conservation" enclosure, later we walked past greedy goats, suspicious llamas and very small donkey's. 

Then we walked past Bedwell Park, which was the home of a former South African rebel Boer commando,  Deneys Reitz, who later fought for the Empire in World War One and commanded a British Army Battalion in the Western Front. 

Former Conservative Cabinet member Reginald Maudling is buried in the lovely Little Berkhamsted Church. 

You definitely need boots or wellies at this time of year, with lots of muddy paths and green lanes but nothing too difficult today. 

Afterwards we had a drink in the "Rose and Crown" which is now more of a restaurant than pub. There are only a few tables for non diners. The food looked excellent but you need to book on a Sunday. 

I will post more picture of this excellent walk on Facebook. 

West Ham Ward doorstep 15.1.22 (Yes, they all hate Boris)

This afternoon we were out "on the knocker" with our local MP Lyn Brown (and Cara - the Labour attack dog). 

We had 98 contacts, who were not only overwhelmingly Labour but I can honestly report that I have never heard so much anti-tory comments in a canvass (over the abuse of Covid rules by Downing Street staff) in any previous  doorstep. 

Residents were genuinely angry and one was demanding that Lyn as his MP should sack Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. I had to point out that this was no doubt her wish but she could not do this if the majority of  MPs in Parliament (Tories) did not support her and her Labour colleagues.

I do not underestimate Boris for a minute, and he will not go until he is pushed but I think there is a good chance he will be toast. This doesn't mean that anyone else who follows him will be any better but it is hard to think they could be worse. 

There again I could be somewhat naïve...