Check Clarion UNISON Facebook page “The dismissal letters sent out by Social Mission Clarion also contain inaccurate and even untruthful information. If we do not consent to the loss of our pension we will be sacked without compensation. The…Read more…
Newham Voices Sept 23: “Newham in 50 Buildings”
Check out the latest news and views from our free local community newspaper, Newham Voices. I particularly enjoyed the review by Jean Gray ( no known relative!) on the Book “Newham in 50 Buildings” by Malcolm Batten. Which I must get and go on it…Read more…
30th anniversary as a Housing Officer and Trade Union Activist
On 6 September 1993 I started work as a housing officer in Bow for Tower Hamlets Council. I had worked as an agency temp in Columbia Road, Bethnal Green beforehand and also as a Housing Rights advisor in Edinburgh. I joined UNISON as a temp but h…Read more…
COLLECTIVE PENSIONS: IMPROVING INCOME AFTER WORK – TUC Fringe 23
Next tuesday 12 September 2023 at 12.45 – 2pm I will be a panel speaker at a TUC fringe at Congress in Liverpool sponsored by First Actuarial LLP. I am at TUC as a UNISON NEC delegate but will be speaking at this fringe as a trade union pens…Read more…
Are owners of shared ownership properties being forgotten?
This post is from my Newham Councillor colleague’s blog, James Beckles. While I am broadly in favour of shared ownership, it is simply disgraceful how badly many are treated with high service charges and fees, poor management and I think less than 3% “…Read more…
Billy Bragg Responds To Viral Country Singer
“If you don’t like the rich men having totally control…Join a union..” Well said Billy. Read more…
UNISON Regional Black Members Committee: Passing The Torch Event
Date: 13 September 2023* *Time: 2:30pm-6pm* *Address: City Hall (Newham) Kamal Chunchie Way, London E16 1ZE* The Greater London Regional Black Members Committee is hosting an event at City Hall (Newham). This inter-generational event is an o…Read more…
Danbury, Essex Walk (OS via Country Walking magazine)
Off message but earlier this month Gill and I went for this nice little 7 mile walk in Danbury, Essex. Recommended. Need monthly subscription to OS but the number of free walks you can access means it is well worth it. Ringed by woods and com…Read more…
Is Clarion the P&O of the Housing Association Sector?
Check out Clarion UNISON Facebook page”Clarion is currently threatening to sack long serving and loyal staff to get rid of their pension promises. Unlike P&O’s pathetic excuses there is no known financial reasons for these sackings.UNISON believe t…Read more…
When your toxic boss hears you’re forming a union.
Hat tip TUC Read more…
‘We need to outlaw fire and rehire forever,’ declares UNISON community conference
A reminder that in March this year UNISON Community Conference (all Clarion UNISON members are in the Community Service Group) delegates voted unanimously to back this motion from its Service Group Executive.2. Fire and re…Read more…
Trade Union Congress Delegate 2023
Today I received my credentials as a UNISON delegate to this year’s Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Liverpool next month. I am speaking in a pension fringe on Collective Defined Contributions schemes and will hopefully get involved on other pension,…Read more…
Inside Housing calls for the next government to “Build Social”
Many will support the new campaign by magazine/social media site “Inside Housing” for the next Government to build more social housing. As a London Councillor and front facing Housing worker, I see pretty much every week the devastation that the …Read more…
CEO pay survey 2023: FTSE 100 CEOs get half a million pound pay rise
While apologists of high pay for these bosses will make all the excuses under the sun, my question is what are the company actual workers being paid this year for enabling them to have all this huge amounts of money? I think I know the answer..”O…Read more…
EMAIL YOUR MP OUR NEW MILEAGE REPORT
While living and working in an inner (ish) London borough means that due to good public transport I rarely have to drive for work purposes. However, many UNISON members have to provide and pay for their own cars to fulfill their contract. While the …Read more…
Fire and rehire: How to fight it in Clarion
Check out UNISON Clarion Facebook site https://t.co/fXIj77E3D4Can all Clarion unison members currently facing “fire and rehire” over their pensions please check their emails for an important message sent on Friday asking them to carry out certain…Read more…
Labour Housing Group Policy Day 2023
I have finally booked a ticket online (free for members of the LHG) for the Policy day on Saturday 16 September 2023 at Peterborough. The theme will be “Shouting out for rural affordable housing: what should Labour’s policies be?”. As a UNISON …Read more…
“Housing association customer services have become a fourth emergency services line”
I will pretty much totally agree with this article published in “Inside Housing” (subscription) about Housing Associations (and I would say Council housing) having to become the 4th emergency service to support very vulnerable, stressed and even suicid…Read more…
Country Walking: Albury & Patmore Heath, Hertfordshire Walk
Off message but post on a walk in Hertfordshire near Ware earlier this month. 45 minutes drive from East London (and possible by public transport). Check out description via OS maps app (paid) provided by Country Walking magazine. Very quie…Read more…
Are you worse off after 13 years of Tories in charge?
“Inflation is still running higher than wages. Prices are still going up, and working people are struggling to pay bills and keep families fed. Are you worse off after 13 years of Tories in charge? Use our #CostOfLiving calculator https…Read more…