At our annual Labour Local Government Association Conference. Currently in a packed and lively training session led by Mo Baines, CEO of APSE on “How can a future Labour Government stem the tide of Section. 114?”Mo asks why is local governemt beo…Read more…
Off to support Gen Kitchen in Wellingborough By-Election on Thursday 15 Feb 24
I have booked annual leave for next Thursday to travel up to Wellingborough to support the Labour Candidate, Gen Kitchen, in the Parliamentary by election. Gen was brought up in Northamptonshire but has lived in Newham. She was an excellent local…Read more…
Greater London UNISON AGM 2024
Today we had our London UNISON AGM and I was pleased to be elected unopposed as Regional Finance Convenor (and therefore a London Regional Council Officer)Thank you to our keynote speakers, Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Wes Streeting MP and Ric…Read more…
“Income needed to retire jumps…”
Check out https://bbc.co.uk/news/business-68222807So you need now a #pension income of £31k if single & £43k per year if couple, for a “moderate” retirement (e.g go out for a family meal once a month?). How many will get this this much?Remembe…Read more…
Under the Conservatives: Dentistry isn’t working
Hat tip Labour Party & Ken Penton. A powerful image and caption “Yesterday, hundreds of people desperate for an NHS dentist appointment queued for hours when a new practice opened in Bristol.After 14 years of Tory decline, this is the Britain …Read more…
TUC Understanding Pensions Course – (London Classroom)
My first ever pension course was provided by the TUC (a long time, long ago) But I can still remember it. I would recommend all union reps should attend such a pension course. Over the years Jonathan has been my TUC tutor on a number of occasions. …Read more…
Labour Unions Campaign Weekend on New Deal for Working People: Cities of London & Westminster
Yesterday UNISON activists (and national officials) joined Parliamentary candidate, Rachel Blake and supporters to canvass for Labour and also promote the Party policy on the “New Deal for Working People”. Which to my mind is probably the most ex…Read more…
Fund raiser for Labour GLA Candidate Marcela Benedetti with keynote speaker Sadiq Khan
On Thursday evening (after another Labour Movement event) I went with UNISON Labour Link colleagues, to a fundraiser for the branch chair of our London Voluntary Organisations branch (Vol Orgs), Marcela Benedetti. Marcela is the Labour Cand…Read more…
Labour New Deal for Working People National Campaign Weekend 3/4 Feb 2024
Check out events near you https://labourunions.org.uk/newdealweekend/ . Greater London UNISON Labour link activists will be at :-Cities & Westminster – 2pm Saturday 3rd Feb. Meet at Marylebone Gardens, W1U 5JEUxbridge …Read more…
Greater London UNISON Celebration : Year of the Black Worker
This evening I was pleased to have been invited to this celebration in the UNISON Centre in Euston. Our General Secretary, Christina McAnea, spoke and took part in Q&A as did our London Regional Secretary, Jo Galloway. There was another great …Read more…
UNISON Community (Housing Associations & Voluntary Sector) NEC Members 2023-25
Yesterday was the UNISON National Labour Link Committee meeting at the UNISON Centre in London. Both myself and Denise are members of the UNISON NEC for Community (the 80,000 members who work for Housing Associations and the Voluntary Sector). We …Read more…
Newham Council Homeless Street Count Jan 24
Last week at midnight (00.01 24.1.24) I joined Newham Councillors, outreach workers and officers to take part in the bi-monthly Street Count of homeless residents sleeping outdoors. We met up at Newham Dockside building beforehand, had a briefing …Read more…
100 years of Labour achievement: 1924-2024
“January 2024 is the 100th anniversary of the first ever Labour government.In the election the previous month, Labour secured its best result up until that point, pushing the Liberals into third. The Conservatives failed to get an overall majority…Read more…
Canning Town’s hidden history: pioneering good homes for all (Newham Voices)
Reading this months “Newham Voices” (early via subscription) I did not realise that Newham had been a test bed for Parker Morris space standards on new build Council properties. There are many problems with properties built during this period but …Read more…
Did it: London Winter Charity Walk. 26 Miles (42 Kilometres) 8 hours 25 minutes
Finished. 26 miles (42 kilometres) 8 hours 25 mins. Very sore feet and legs, but it’s been a great day. Raised money for a good cause (St Mungo’s Homeless charity) , improved my fitness a bit and it has reminded me what a beautiful city I live in…Read more…
Clarion UNISON Pay claim survey 2024/25: Have your Say on Pay
Hat tip Clarion UNISON Facebook page “Members should have received an invite to complete a survey yesterday. It will take 5 mins to complete & we will use it to inform this years claim. Please pass on to non member colleagues. The…Read more…
LHG Annual General Meeting 2024 – Sat 9 March in Central London or virtual
(the Labour Housing Group is a “socialist society affiliated to the Labour Party we work within the movement, both nationally and locally, to develop and promote workable socialist housing policies through…Read more…
Less than 4 days to go before 26 Mile Homeless Charity walk in London
My wife Gill describes me looking like a condemned man in this photo!Now wishing that I had trained more and sorted out my walking gear earlier but it is too late now to do much about these things.I did a 10 mile walk from home to Chingford durin…Read more…
Online Stewards Training for the Community and Voluntary Sector
February 2024(NB you should get paid release to attend this course if UNISON is the recognised trade union with your employer. If not recognised then still ask. Any problems speak to your branch) This course has been designed for newly elected an…Read more…
“Landmark case win as Newham Council’s campaign against Rogue Landlords achieves major milestone”
Well done to Newham Enforcement officers and Cabinet lead Cllr Shaban Mohammed. More please, more. Need to make sure this “landlord” does not find ways to try and get around “ban”. Hat tip @letsandleases via @NewhamBooker• Newham Counci…Read more…