All the union news that's fit to blog...
UNISON members that work for Housing Associations and the voluntary sector have an annual 2 day National Seminar and Conference.
This years seminar is in Bournemouth and started for me this morning with a meeting of the Service Group Executive t…Read more…
Check out Guardian Journalist, Dave Hill’s blog.
A second organisation whose vote helped Newham mayor Sir Robin Wales go forward unopposed as Labour candidate for next year’s mayoral election in the borough has effectively substantiated a complaint by local party members about an…Read more…
“As a councillor for the London borough of Newham, I find the observations in your editorial (22 February) linking one-party councils and autocratic government only too true. Not only does Newham have no councillors other than from the L…Read more…
This was to be my speech last night at the Newham Council Meeting on the budget. There was a free vote for Labour Councillors (i.e all of us) and I had proposed an amendment to the budget on increasing Council tax by 1.99% in order to pay for hardship …Read more…
This is a flyer for our next branch meeting. As well as usual Labour Party business there is a motion and debate on “”Unaccompanied Child Migrants”.
“We call upon Newham Council to confirm that it agrees to accept a significant number of unaccompanied…Read more…
My latest article for Professional Pensions. “John Gray says we need to do all we can to preserve defined benefit pension provision in the UK
Those of us who live in the real pension world know it is true but many are in denial. For entirely understand…Read more…
NEW DATE ALERT!!We’ve been struggling to find a suitable/affordable venue for our training + I now have to stay in the Middle East a bit longer for work 🙁 / :-)We’re still super keen for this training to happen as soon as possible so holding the trai…Read more…
This is my proposed amendment to the budget which the Newham Council meeting on Monday 27 February 2017 should consider. See my previous post on this issue.
What I am hoping to do is persuade (there is a free vote) my fellow Labour Councill…Read more…
This looks interesting and just around the corner from where I live but clashes with my UNISON branch AGM.
“Join us for an evening of solidarity with Palestine.
Guest speakers: Hamed Qawasmeh, of the Hebron International Resources Network and Leanne …Read more…
“I am signing the Stronger UNISON pledge because I believe in doing what’s right for our membership, ensuring that we stand up for their right to be treated fairly. UNISON needs a strong united NEC to lead our union and speak on behalf of our members, …Read more…
At the Newham Council meeting next Monday 27 February 2017 there will be a free vote of all Labour Councillors on the proposed Mayor;s budget. All Councillors in Newham are Labour so this an important development and I congratulate my Labour Group coll…Read more…
Last week there was a packed memorial and celebration service for UNISON President and London Ambulance branch secretary, Eric Roberts, who died unexpectedly aged 67 on November 24 2016. Eric had been elected the President of UNISON in June 2016 for a …Read more…
I arrived in Coventry yesterday evening for my second Labour LGA conference. This year it is the biggest conference they have ever had with 370 Councillors attending. There was a conference buffet dinner with deputy Labour leader,Tom Watson MP, as gues…Read more…
Well I never. Hot off the press. I will ask for further details (it is inaccurate in some respects) but I am really happy that it appears that some of the problems with LOBOs can be sorted.
“Newham Council could save up to £94 million in future after the council’s Cabinet today (Thursday 16…Read more…
I haven’t always agreed with everything our local weekly paper “Newham Recorder” has published over the years (or not published) but I totally agree with the comments below by its editor Michael Adkins on the foul and disgusting abuse my inspirational …Read more…
Join UNISON, in co-ordination with the New Europeans and the3million’s in the EU Right to Remain day of action.Register to join the lobbyOn Monday 20 February, UNISON members can meet their MP and ask them to support the following pledge:“I call on Theresa May to guarantee…Read more…
Had to smile at the slightly panicky queue of men (including one women) inside my local florist in Forest Gate last night at round 7.30pm.
Have to admit that I have “been there, done that and got the tee-shirt” – so I’m not that smug:)Read more…
“I signed the Stronger UNISON pledge because I am committed to taking our union forward in support of all our members’ interests. Together we can fight for the right to work in an environment which is free of inequality and discrimination”.
Abiola Kus…Read more…
This was my speech to Greater London UNISON Regional Council AGM 1.2.17 on our branch motion. It was passed and selected to be a regional motion to this year’s National Delegate Conference.
“Chair, Council, John Gray, Housing Association Branch, …Read more…
Recently I went to the memorial service for Rachel and saw Jeremy Corbyn MP talk to a packed hall about this wonderful article. I never met Rachel and was there to support her father and his partner. But, I felt I did know her since her father had spok…Read more…