All the union news that's fit to blog...
I have just signed up for the Greater London Rally on Thursday at 6pm and submitted a question.”Have you signed up to one the campaign rallies yet?
Come along to hear how UNISON is safe in my hands and how we’ll keep winning for members.
Subm…Read more…
Busy day. Cycled down to my Newham Council advice surgery in Stratford Library then joined Forest Gate North ward colleagues for a local door knock. Which went well, I experienced a mostly very positive approach to Labour, which I think is down to the …Read more…
Welfare at Work Week is back! 29 Sept to 3 Oct
UNISON branches are highlighting the support available from UNISON’s charity – There for You – including grants, debt advice, and budgeting tools.
Contact your branch or organise your own event
h…Read more…
I travelled up to Liverpool on Saturday to be a UNISON Labour Link delegate to Conference. I had been elected to the delegation by my NEC colleagues. Conference starts officially at 11am on the Sunday. We had a delegation pre meeting at 9am, so a …Read more…
Conference started at 11am. I was at a UNISON delegation pre meeting at 9am were we confirmed who would speak on debates and which motions to support or oppose. First item was Conference Arrangements Committee Report, where delegates whose motions had …Read more…
Picture from last Thursday’s Rough Sleeper count. We were a mix of Newham and voluntary sector officers and Councillors. We met at the Newham Dockside building at 11pm. We had a briefing then we’re split up into teams of 2 or 3 and sent out to di…Read more…
There for You – UNISON’s charity – is here to help
Seasonal Food Fund 2025 opens soon! Keep the date
https://unsn.uk/4noavvh
Opens 12 noon, Tue 30 Sept – 24hrs only
£30 voucher per eligible household member
For those on low income/in finan…Read more…
Last Thursday I went to the launch of a new book by award winning housing journalist Pete Apps (and someone born and brought up in Newham). The launch was in the Wanstead Tap and had been organised via Newham Bookshop (were you can order the book&…Read more…
If you are a UNISON member in Greater London also check out Lola!Read more…
Yesterday lunchtime I gave blood at my local centre. It took only a few minutes to book online the day before. No waiting. Not painful. Staff very friendly. Finished in under 30 minutes and then enjoyed free popcorn and blackcurrant squash. Check …Read more…
Ballot Papers will be dropping through those UNISON members letter boxes and email inboxes, who choose to be part of our “Labour Link”, which is the union political fund affiliated to the Labour Party. In Greater London region, I will be sup…Read more…
I was really pleased to be a member of the Community SGE (representing 60,000 housing associations and charity workers) that voted overwhelmingly to nominate Christina as our General Secretary. Read more…
Yesterday evening Gill and I went for a pub meal at the Golden Fleece in Manor Park. We were unexpectedly entertained by the the FGDJ. Who are a “Loose collective of Community Musicians based in Forest Gate, London E7” https://www.facebook.co…Read more…
Back at home after a long day campaigning. The result should be declared soon. A superb effort by our candidate Ash, our organiser Sarah and Agent Morris. Also a tribute to our local party activists, Council members, our MPs Uma, James and Stephen and …Read more…
This lunchtime the Greater London Regional Committee voted to nominate Christina McAnea, as the next General Secretary of UNISON by 24 votes to 4.Brilliant result! Read more…
Busy, occasional damp then sunny, full on campaigning days. By election is this Thursday 18 September 2025.Read more…
On Thursday lunch time I attended the funeral Mass of Newham Councillor, Neil Wilson, at St. Alban the Martyr Church in Holborn. Neil had been a Labour Party and Councillor colleague of mine for many years. He was also at the time of his dea…Read more…
Last day of Congress. I was up early to go for final jog along the prom but it was raining, so being very much a fair weather runner, I went to the hotel gym instead. Congress started as usual at 9.30am beginning with the the latest “Union w…Read more…
Congress started with “Union wins – video” then carried on debating motions on organising and recruitment, in particular young members, employment rights, Fair funding for local authorities and social care. UNISON member Sonia Pickford received t…Read more…
The first full day of Congress (Monday) started for me with an early morning jog along Brighton beach. At 9.30am I took my seat with the UNISON delegation. There was a number of important debates on Fire service, Zane’s Law, Prison safety, wealth …Read more…