TUC Education courses – 2024Find out more about courses running in your area from January 2024.Our courses offer essential training for reps and help you develop your skills.ScotlandNorthern RegionNorth West RegionYorkshire and the…Read more…
Exploring the Elizabeth Line: Brentwood to Harold Wood
Today Gill and I tested out a walk in a new book “Exploring the Elizabeth Line” by Jeff Lock. The new Cross London East to West (“Lizzie”) rail line from Shenfield to Reading has been a boom for commuters and travellers (but so far somewhat unreliable)…Read more…
High Pay Day 2024
Hat tip High Pay Centre and brilliant cartoon which I cannot remember source.
“We have estimated that FTSE 100 CEOs’ earnings for 2024 will surpass the median UK worker’s full time annual salary tod…Read more…
RISHI’S RAW DEAL -Pay £10 more tax and get £2 off
Poster campaign launched today in Wellingborough where Labour candidate, Gen Kitchen is campaigning to replace disgraced Tory MP, Peter Bone. Hat tip Independent “From Saturday, the main rate of national insurance will be cut by two percentage points …Read more…
TUC Pensions Conference 2024: pensions under the next government
I have just registered. https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/tuc-pensions-conference-2024-pensions-under-next-governmentOverviewRegistrations are now open for the TUC Pensions Conference 2024 on Wednesday 13 March at Congress House, London. With a g…Read more…
Countdown to London 26 Mile Winter Walk 2024 – 24/25 days training days to go
I am taking part in a sponsored 26 mile walking marathon at the end of this month for the homelessness charity St Mungos with colleagues from work. Most of the recent holiday was spent walking in the Peak district which was good cross training but…Read more…
Blog “Let’s make 2024 a success – Vote in our service group elections and celebrate UNISON’s Year of LGBT+ Workers” Christina McAnea
“Happy New Year to everyone in UNISON and here’s to a successful year for you and your families.I have high hopes for 2024 – 12 months of campaigning for UNISON’s Year of LGBT+ workers and for a national care service, securing pay deals across all publ…Read more…
“E7 Now and then” relaunch (& today is 133th Anniversary of the deaths of 26 Boys at Forest Gate Workhouse)
The Forest Gate, (Newham, London) local history site “E7-Now and then” is being relaunched after a 5 year gap. Which is really good news for people like me who live in Forest Gate and is fascinated by all history. Until I read about it in the sit…Read more…
Happy New Year 2024
Been for some wonderful walks during holiday and looking forward to many more in 2024. Read more…
Merry Christmas 2023
Turkey is in the oven. Picture from our morning walk to work up an appetite.Read more…
Wanstead Flats A Short Illustrated History
I have finally just got around to ordering myself this book as a late Crimbo present. I have lived opposite Wanstead flats (now part of Epping Forest) for over 30 years and it is an absolute joy. I went for an early run this morning around the fl…Read more…
UNISON Direct Christmas Opening Hours 2023
For any UNISON members (or rather the many that will be working 24/7 all through the holidays) who need urgent union assistance. Most branches will be closed from today to Tuesday 2 Jan.Hap tip UNISON Lincolnshire Police Branch. Read more…
Professional Vs Lay Trustees: The Great Pension Scheme Debate
Picture is from last months Professional Pensions Investment Conference where I put forward arguments in favour of member nominated lay trustees on trustee pension committees/LGPS boards. While Richard Hubbard, spoke in favour of Professional Trustees….Read more…
Migrants Day 2023: One NHS, many nationalities
What on earth will happen to our NHS (nevermind our care services, food production, retail, etc) if we did not have migrant Labour in this country. Hat tip https://twitter.com/unisontheunion/status/1736716695438319848Read more…
Merry Christmas.🎄 The best gift you can give to your past, present and future self is to join a union!
hat tip North West UNISON https://twitter.com/NorthWestUNISON/status/1474363981649358853https://tuc.org.uk/joinunion #joinunison @unisontheunionRead more…
Walking along Bournemouth Beach
Last weekend Gill and I were in Bournemouth and the weather Gods were kind to us as we walked from the Pier to Boscombe, then as far as Port Man Ravine, before turning back. A little windy but largely blue skies and sunshine. The surfers were out in fo…Read more…
West Ham Ward Christmas Campaign: Sadiq Khan for London Labour Mayor in 2024
This morning I went to my Councillor advice surgery for local residents, then this afternoon I joined colleagues in the ward to deliver leaflets (Labour doorstep was down) for Sadiq Khan, to be re-elected as London Mayor in May 2024. We were…Read more…
26 mile “Winter walk” for homeless charity St Mungo’s 27 January 2024
I have signed up to this walk via my employer and will be (hopefully) raising money by this “Just Giving” page this homelessness charity. In the past few months I have visited a St Mungo’s hostel and met residents and staff for work reasons …Read more…
Grand (Re) Opening of The Millers Well Pub
Another “off message” none political, pension or trade union post. It must be Christmas! Today I was invited by former Newham Councillor D Paul Sathianesan to attend the “Grand Opening” of the “The Millers Well Pub” tomorrow at 5.30pm. It is…Read more…
UNISON Housing Associations branch officers Xmas meal 2023
A great meal out in Hoxton “Tay Do Cafe” (Vietnamese). Quite a few were unable to make it due to other seasonal commitments, but great opportunity for Branch officers to meet up with our Regional officer (Ezequiel) and case officer (Karl). The wo…Read more…