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…
Fabians to look into Newham Mayoral nomination Vote
I have made a complaint to the Fabian Society. Check out report below in Newham Recorder.The Fabian Society is “seeking further information” after its Newham members alleged they had not participated in a trigger ballot vote to support Sir Robin after the results were announced yesterday. The…Read more…
“No Union Busting at Clarion”
Press release: no union-busting at Clarion – UNISON, Unite and GMB lobby to fight threatened withdrawal of union recognition
For immediate release – Wednesday 7th December 2016
Trade unions UNISON, Unite and the GMB stepped up their campaign against union derecognition last…Read more…
Newham Mayor Candidate – Why we need a leader to make a hard decision
I must admit that I agree with much (but not all) of the rant below by Newham @triggerdemocracy. I to have been overwhelmed by complaints by local Party members about what has gone on and will support the call for a proper and independent enquiry into …Read more…
“Housing Associations have lost their soul” Call for new campaign group to make them more democratic and accountable.
At the Labour Housing Group fringe at this year’s Labour Party Conference former UNISON Regional Secretary Frank Hont (and now Liverpool Council Cabinet member for Housing) described Housing Associations as having “lost their soul”. This was in front of Labour Housing shadow minister John Healey…Read more…
Mayor lost support of Newham Labour Party Branches and membership
This afternoon the last Newham Labour Party branch, Green Street East held its trigger ballot meeting and voted 32 to 5 for an open selection process for the next Newham Labour Mayoral candidate.
This means that a majority of Labour Party branches in …Read more…
UNISON Service Group Executive offers full support to fight Union Busting at Clarion Housing Group
Picture from Wednesday’s meeting of the UNISON Community Service Group Executive (SGE) in our National headquarters in London.
The Community SGE is made up of UNISON elected representatives from Housing Associations and Charities across the UK.
The S…Read more…
Dear Robin (time to say goodbye or face an open election)
Dear Robin,The results of the Mayoral Trigger Ballot have already shown that the Labour Party in Newham is deeply divided over the question of your automatic re-selection as mayoral candidate for the election of 2018. The majority of members taking part in the Trigger Ballot have voted ‘No’,…Read more…