This meeting of the APPG for “Local Authority Pension Funds was focused on local authority pension fund investment in social and affordable housing. To address the issue and whether there is a case for doing more, the event heard from four speakers: Cl…Read more…
Vote Denise and John your UNISON Community Candidates for UNISON’s NEC Elections 2023 – ballot papers drop 17/4
Many, many thanks to all the 40 plus branches that nominated us. Next step is verification of these nominations, any possible appeals then physical ballot papers due to drop at your home address on 17/4/23. If any branches are hosting hustings let…Read more…
Prospective Parliamentary Candidates: Greater London Labour Link
This evening I interviewed prospective candidates wishing to be nominated by UNISON Labour Link to a Greater London Parliamentary seat. Labour Link (used to be called the APF) is the Political Fund which is affiliated to the Labour Party, which U…Read more…
UNISON Women’s Conference 2023: Denise Thomas report
Guest post by Denise Thomas. “I attended Women’s Conference as a delegate from Cymru Wales, Ymlaen/Forward Branch. This year it was held in the wonderful seaside resort of Bournemouth. Firstly, it was great to see so many friendly faces as this was the…Read more…
Blackmore, Essex – Walk Feb 23
Gill and I went on another Big Essex Skies and Sunshine walk today, starting and finishing in Blackmore. This was a “moderate” 7.41 mile walk only 35 minutes by car from East London (public transport not great but possible). Considerate parking on stre…Read more…
UNISON Greater London Housing Associations Branch e-newsletter: Feb 2023
Welcome to the Branch Newsletter! Last Monday, we all heard the horrible news about the powerful earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria early in the morning. A week later there are still many people trapped under debris, and the ones who ma…Read more…
Emergency Fundraising Dinner for Turkiye & Syria – Sisters Forum
This evening I went to support a fundraising dinner being held for disaster relief of victims of the recent deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria. I think all of us have been pretty shocked by the media footage of the death and devastation caused…Read more…
ONEUNISON – Winning for all UNISON members & our public services.
“UNISON holds elections every two years for the National Executive Council. It’s an important body representing every region, nation, service group, Black members, young members and disabled members. Key decisions about what our union does are made by …Read more…
A Service of Celebration for the Life of Kathy Taranczuk
Yesterday I went to celebrate the life of my former Housing manager, Kathy Taranczuk. Kathy had been the office manager of Ranwell/Old Ford local housing office in Bow from 1996 to 2007. I had been her senior housing officer. I went with my former…Read more…
Heart UNISON 2023
Check out UNISON website on #HeartUNISON #HeartUnions week 13-19 FebHeart UNISON is part of Heart Unions Week, the TUC’s annual event to celebrate unions, to make sure everyone knows why we’re vital at work, and to encourage everyone to join…Read more…
Etholiadau NEC UNSAIN 2023: Datganiad John Gray ar gyfer Sedd Gyffredinol y Gymuned (Papurau pleidleisio yn gollwng 17/4/23)
“Rwy’n gweithio i gymdeithas tai ac yn mynd i’r afael ag ymddygiad gwrthgymdeithasol cymhleth, cam-drin domestig a thwyll tenantiaeth. Fel gweithiwr tai, rwy’n deall yn uniongyrchol straen ac anawsterau darparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Fel stiward a Chy…Read more…
UNISON NEC Elections 2023: John Gray Statement for Community General Seat (Ballot papers drop 17/4/23)
“I work for a housing association and deal with complex anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse and tenancy fraud. As a housing worker I understand first-hand the stresses and difficulties of providing public services. As a steward and National Convenor,…Read more…
Labour LGA Conference 2023 – Campaign Workshops
I am back home this evening after attending the annual Labour Local Government Association conference in Nottingham. It was a a great conference, with lots of practical ideas for Labour Councillors but also very inspiring as it seems (touch wood,…Read more…
UNISON London Ambulance Service (LAS) Strike: Picket outside their Waterloo Headquarters 10.2.23
After work this evening I went to the UNISON picket line outside the LAS headquarters in Waterloo, Central London. I went to show solidarity and support on behalf of Greater London UNISON Regional Council officers and my own Housing Associations …Read more…
Investors call for a Say on Climate
LAPFF, Sarasin & Partners, CCLA and Ethos Foundation write to the FTSE All-share urging AGM vote on climate action plans Last week the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF), Sarasin & Partners LLP, CCLA and Ethos Foundation wrote to …Read more…
UNISON Greater London Regional Council AGM 2023: Re-elected as RCO for 16th time (?) in a row
This morning was our Regional Council AGM and I was pleased to have been re-elected (unopposed) as Regional Finance Convenor alongside my comrades, Yvonne Green, as Regional Convenor and Conroy Lawrence, as Deputy Convenor. We were joined on the Region…Read more…
Snap poll shows more than half employers guilty of ‘wellbeing washing’
As a trade union elected representative for UNISON Community members in London I totally agree with this article in IOSH website. So many employers pretend to care for the well being of their staff but simply do not deliver. Why on earth to they …Read more…
UNISON NEC Elections – Personal recommendations for London & National Seats
UNISON Branches can still nominate candidates until next Monday 13 February. Above are my personal recommendations for the London seats and below for the national seats. We definitely need an NEC that puts members first, supports our General…Read more…
Your Labour Team for West Ham
After my Councillor surgery in the morning (local planning case work) I led on the Saturday afternoon “Street Surgery” of West Ham ward in Newham, London. Knocking on doors in what is apparently, the longest side road in the borough, Corporation …Read more…
Newham Labour Unions – the Right to Strike
Picture collage from meeting on Thursday evening at St Lukes, Canning Town. This is the second meeting in Newham of Labour Party supporters who are trade union activists. Our launch was here https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2022/10/labour-nat…Read more…