This report is very disturbing. I have asked the Council for a response and agreed to meet with CPAG and Z2K. I will encourage other Councillors to do so as well. By coincidence I have just been to a Unison seminar where the practice of trying to force…Read more…
Poles (Least we forget)
Soon it will be the 66th “Battle of Britain Day” (September 15) “Pilots from No. 303 (“Kościuszko”) Polish Fighter Squadron with one of their Mk II Spitfires, resting from the strain of heavy fighting during the ‘Battle of Britain’ in the late summer of 1940(from left): Sgt Kustrzynski, Sgt…Read more…
Sports Direct: Treating workers like dirt is bad for business (and investors)
I was pleased that UK Council leaders are supporting the resolution at the Sports Direct AGM next week for a review of its HR practices. UNISON staff pension fund have backed this campaign via the TUC organised Trade Union Shareholders Organisation. &n…Read more…
Bristol Street Art
Just back from a holiday. I spent the first week based in Bristol sightseeing. What struck me was the number of colourful “Street Art” creations on various private buildings. Some were better than others but the best would make you stop and stare.
Br…Read more…
“Residents Launch Legal Objection to Bank LOBO Loans at 24 UK Councils”
This report by debt resistance shows that the LOBO loan scandal is a national issue and local authorities must take action to protect residents from being totally ripped off by the Banks.
Local Residents Lodge Legal Objections to LOBO Loans at 2…Read more…
Uproar over lack of beneficiary representation on LGPS pools
This article was published this week on the Professional Pensions website. http://www.professionalpensions.com/professional-pensions/news/2468676/uproar-over-lack-of-beneficiary-representation-on-lgps-pools
“The local government pension scheme (LG…Read more…
Sitting on the floor of a Virgin train? Luxury…. #traingate
Okay, this is the “silly season” but the fuss about Jeremy Corbyn and “did he or didn’t he” have to sit on the floor during a Virgin train ride from London to Newcastle is still going on.
I was not on that Thursday train journey but last month I …Read more…
Investment Association gets bitten by Loch Ness Monster
I am catching up on my reading and have been enjoying the rather brutal kicking that the UK fund managers “trade body” the Investment Association (IA) has recently received following its nonsensical claim that their fees don’t matter. The IA claimed th…Read more…
“Madness to spend £9 billion of taxpayers money lining the pockets ofprivate landlords”
Well said David Orr. Not that often I say that.
“Landlords paid £9bn in housing benefit
A study from the National Housing Federation (NHF) shows that private landlords are being paid £9.3bn in housing benefit this year, up from £4.6bn in 2008. In the same period the number of private renters…Read more…
Whether you love a Big Mac or Not. Ask McDonalds to stop pumping antibiotics into cattle
Dear John,
McDonald’s is contributing to a public health crisis that affects every person on this planet – whether you love a Big Mac or not. The fast food giant is serving meats that are pumped with antibiotics, which are fueling resistance to the antibiotics we need to treat even minor…Read more…
Jeremy Corbyn Rally: Newham Tuesday 23 August 7.30pm
On Tuesday evening Labour Leadership candidate, Jeremy Corbyn MP, will be at a rally in Manor Park. Other local and national speakers will also be present. I understand that it is open to everyone and is not ticketed.
The Royal Regency is a …Read more…
Some good news about LOBOs but…
See recent report below from Financial advisors “Vedant Hedging” below. While this is on face value welcome, Joel Benjamin, from LOBO campaigning group “Debt Resistance” thinks there are more cynical motives behind this move.
“Whilst there is PR value…Read more…
Family Picnic with Lyn Brown MP
Triathlon Training 2016: Five weeks to go
Thurs 11 Aug Ran to Olympic pool E20 32 minsMax Pace 2.7 2.61 milesPace 12.5 Slow but steady 4.8 mph Early Morning Swim lesson Aquatic Centre 45 mins 25m Training pool Mostly backstroke, but did Butterfly legs work & tumble turns…Read more…
Sports Direct AGM: Vote FOR resolution 19
Check out this post by Tom P (see below). If you really think that Sports Direct is acting in a
disgusting and inhumane way to its workforce then contact your pension or insurance provider and ask them to make sure their fund managers vote …Read more…
Jeremy Corbyn nominated by UNISON Labour Link Committee
This lunchtime I attended a meeting of the UNISON Labour Link (also known as the “APF”) National Committee at our headquarters in Euston.
The meeting was to decide whether or not to make a supportive nomination for the next leader of the La…Read more…
“Almost one in three people have experienced mental health issues while in employment”
This is an important report by the professional body for HR. I think that the background research is absolutely accurate. But – its recommendations – on how to deal with the issue are just pious nonsense. It will never happen in the real worl…Read more…
Labour Party CLP NEC election results 2016
Clean sweep for Jeremy Corbyn supporters on the Labour Party NEC. A significant margin I think.
UNISON National Labour Link Committee (I am a NEC member of this committee) meets on Thursday to decide on our nomination. Read more…
My Nephew Lewis and his Baby Daughter Teagan
Off message but love this picture from today of East Ham born Lewis and his beautiful 2 month daughter, Teagan. Lewis and his partner Felicity, had to go through the drama of childbirth and then soon after moving into their new home in Witham…Read more…
Sports Direct: The Evil Workhouse: Union shareholders call for independent review of the inhuman employment practices at AGM
“The Trade Union Share Owners group (TUSO) has submitted a resolution to the Sports Direct AGM calling for an independent review of their widely criticised employment practices, which have led MPs to compare the company to a ‘Victorian workhouse’.
Details of the resolution were published today…Read more…