This photo is a gentle reminder to all of us enjoying time off this holiday. Read more…
George Michael – My Favourite Memory
A great artist. RIP George. Read more…
Communist Christmas
Merry Christmas everyone 🙂
Hat tip Councillor StroppyRead more…
“Protest over Newham mayoral election result”
The report below is from this weeks Newham Recorder about the lively but peaceful protest outside the Mayor’s Christmas Party at Stratford Town Hall. I stopped and spoke to the protesters about why they were there and what they thought should happen. T…Read more…
Wishing everyone a Merry Crimbo & Happy New Year (and don’t forget #LOVEUNIONS)
Wishing everyone a Merry Crimbo & Happy New Year (and remember #LOVEUNIONS)
I have this year not sent any cards but instead donated money to the MIND Blue Light Campaign in memory of UNISON President Eric…Read more…
Sadiq Khan announces new London bus drivers pay deal (and lets ask him next to deal with Union busters)
Great news from BBC for bus drivers and their families. Well done Sadiq our Labour Mayor.
We will be contacting him next about defending staff from Union busters in London Housing Associations.
“London mayor Sadiq Khan has announced the cap…Read more…
“What is Robin Wales so scared of?”
Long standing Newham Councillor and former Cabinet member and Community lead Kay Scoresby writes a passionate letter in last weeks Newham Recorder which represents the feelings of nearly all the local Labour Party members and affiliates I have met.
“M…Read more…
Why can’t we have beneficiary representation on our £217 billion in LGPS pools? It is our money!
The Local Government Pension Scheme belongs to some 5.1 million Brits who are the legal owners of its £217 billion of assets. The scheme assets are being merged nationally into one of only eight “pooled” schemes but only one of these pools have made any plans for beneficiaries (owners in law)…Read more…
“Unions gauge support for industrial action at Clarion Group”
This article was published in the “Inside Housing” website last week. To be clear strike action in defence of trade union rights is being balloted upon as is boycotts and disinvestment.
If Clarion are not “for or against” trade union recognition as th…Read more…
Mayor of Newham issues public apology to Travellers and Gypsies
Comments made by the Mayor of Newham were said to be “racist”.Sir Robin Wales has formally apologised to Gypsies and Travellers for making comments deemed to be “casual racist banter” at a council meeting.The Mayor of Newham said he was “sorry for the distress caused by my comments, how they came…Read more…
#LAPFF16 Annual Conference Friday
Last Guest post from John Walker from this years Local Authority Pension Fund Forum conference
Friday morning commenced with probably the most interesting session of the Conference – a session of an LGPS Pooling Panel with representation from the eight CIV’s currently forming to get in line with…Read more…
Strike Ballot at “the Sports Direct of Housing Associations”
Joint union press release
“Trade unions UNISON, Unite and GMB have taken the first steps towards possible strike action in the newly merged Clarion Housing group. All three unions are formally consulting members over taking industrial action in the fir…Read more…
#LAPFF16 Annual Conference – Thursday
This is the day 2 report of last weeks Local Authorities Pension Funds Forum (LAPFF) annual conference by John Walker, who is a UNISON member and sits on the Cambridgeshire Pension Fund Committee as a Member nominated representative. See Wednesday repo…Read more…
Second affiliate says it is checking Newham mayoral vote
Check out latest report in the “Newham Recorder”. Tonight at my Councillor surgery I had angry and upset residents coming to see me about what they believe to be a “rigged” Mayoral trigger ballot.
“A second affiliate organisation has confirmed th…Read more…
Clarion Housing Strike, Boycott and Union Rights call
Latest news on merger! View this email in your browser …Read more…
#LAPFF Annual Conference – Wednesday.
Last week I went to the annual conference of the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF).
I missed the first day (Wednesday) but below is an excellent report on the day by guest blogger John Walker who is a UNISON member and sits on the Cambridgesh…Read more…
Newham Democracy Triggered Xmas Quiz?
I was not invited but I understand that this well attended quiz took place last night in East Ham. While I understand that many Labour Party members in Newham are rightly furious and feel robbed and cheated at the Mayoral trigger ballot result, I would…Read more…
Have a Merry Jezza Christmas
This new festive song ‘JC4PM for me’ by Robb Johnson and The Corbynistas has solved my dilemma about what present to give to Red Tel, RW and the 22 Newham Mayoral advisers for Christmas 🙂
“Published on 27 Nov 2016
Official video of ‘JC4PM for m…Read more…
“Get help staying warm this winter” UNISON “there4you” fuel grants
Application forms for this years winter £50 fuel grants from UNISON charity arm “There for You” are now out.
In a welcome pilot this year UNISON members will be entitled to claim if they are in receipt of Housing benefit which should make it simpler to claim for many, especially if they…Read more…
“Members fight back against derecognition threat”
“Union members at a new housing group – one of the largest in Europe – could be asked whether they are prepared to take industrial action over derecognition threats.
The new Clarion and Latimer Housing Group was formed this week from the merger of Circle Housing and Affinity Sutton and is…Read more…