All the union news that's fit to blog...
There for You – UNISON’s charity – is here to help
Seasonal Food Fund 2025 opens soon! Keep the date
https://unsn.uk/4noavvh
Opens 12 noon, Tue 30 Sept – 24hrs only
£30 voucher per eligible household member
For those on low income/in finan…Read more…
If you are a UNISON member in Greater London also check out Lola!Read more…
Yesterday lunchtime I gave blood at my local centre. It took only a few minutes to book online the day before. No waiting. Not painful. Staff very friendly. Finished in under 30 minutes and then enjoyed free popcorn and blackcurrant squash. Check …Read more…
Ballot Papers will be dropping through those UNISON members letter boxes and email inboxes, who choose to be part of our “Labour Link”, which is the union political fund affiliated to the Labour Party. In Greater London region, I will be sup…Read more…
Yesterday evening Gill and I went for a pub meal at the Golden Fleece in Manor Park. We were unexpectedly entertained by the the FGDJ. Who are a “Loose collective of Community Musicians based in Forest Gate, London E7” https://www.facebook.co…Read more…
Back at home after a long day campaigning. The result should be declared soon. A superb effort by our candidate Ash, our organiser Sarah and Agent Morris. Also a tribute to our local party activists, Council members, our MPs Uma, James and Stephen and …Read more…
This lunchtime the Greater London Regional Committee voted to nominate Christina McAnea, as the next General Secretary of UNISON by 24 votes to 4.Brilliant result! Read more…
Busy, occasional damp then sunny, full on campaigning days. By election is this Thursday 18 September 2025.Read more…
On Thursday lunch time I attended the funeral Mass of Newham Councillor, Neil Wilson, at St. Alban the Martyr Church in Holborn. Neil had been a Labour Party and Councillor colleague of mine for many years. He was also at the time of his dea…Read more…
Last day of Congress. I was up early to go for final jog along the prom but it was raining, so being very much a fair weather runner, I went to the hotel gym instead. Congress started as usual at 9.30am beginning with the the latest “Union w…Read more…
Congress started with “Union wins – video” then carried on debating motions on organising and recruitment, in particular young members, employment rights, Fair funding for local authorities and social care. UNISON member Sonia Pickford received t…Read more…
The first full day of Congress (Monday) started for me with an early morning jog along Brighton beach. At 9.30am I took my seat with the UNISON delegation. There was a number of important debates on Fire service, Zane’s Law, Prison safety, wealth …Read more…
I travelled down to Brighton yesterday afternoon for the 4pm start of the 157th Congress. I am part of the UNISON delegation (via our NEC). Congress is chaired this year by the no nonsense, General Secretary of the Seafarer Union, Nautilus, …Read more…
Hat tip Newham History SocietyRead more…
Today I travelled up to Leeds to support a new UNISON safety representative, Wayne, on his first trade union safety inspection of his local housing office and workshop. Wayne is a repairs operative, currently repairing void (empty) properties and…Read more…
This morning I was present, as an elected lay member of the UNISON National Executive Committee at the NEC hustings in the UNISON centre, London of candidates standing to be our next General Secretary. Christina McAnea is the existing UNISO…Read more…
This evening I was the “board runner” again (not with a clip board anymore but a Labour Party mobile phone app) with a group of activists led by our by election candidate, Ash. We did both sides of a very long street in the ward. It was thre…Read more…
This Thursday 4 September (7pm), LHG Executive Committee Member Cllr Asma Islam joins us to discuss the crisis in social housing.Cllr Asma Islam is a Labour and Co-operative councillor in Tower Hamlets with a strong record of public service and g…Read more…
Picture college from yesterday’s doorstep in the Plaistow South By Election campaign with our candidate Ash and local party activists. There was 3 teams out and the result was pretty positive. On one occasion I had some robust conversations …Read more…
Many thanks to our UNISON Northamptonshire Police and Fire branch for this advice. One of the hardest things I have to do as a Union rep is to refuse representation for those who only join when they have an existing problem. If you work for …Read more…