I am speaking at this virtual event and looking forward to debating this key topical issue. Can local authority pension funds invest in “affordable” homes and still make an appropriate return? The terms “affordable” and of course “social” housing …Read more…
Newham Voices Feb 2023: Support the Strikers!
Check out this latest edition of our independent, not for profit community newspaper Newham Voices Read more…
East London & the Olympics 10 years on – where next? Unmesh Desai AM
Yesterday evening there was a reception at London City Hall (Newham!) hosted by East London & City Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai. The theme was about the Olympics 2012 legacy. There was a number of interesting speakers and it was good to meet…Read more…
UNISON Labour LInk Motion on Cost of Living Crisis: London Labour Regional Conference 2023
(My speech yesterday) “Chair. Conference. John Gray, proposing this motion on Cost of living crisis on behalf of UNISON Labour Link, the political wing of the largest and of course best trade union in London. Conference, yesterday, we heard from a…Read more…
London Labour Conference 23 – Day 2
From my twitter feed as UNISON Labour Link Delegate lead.John Gray @grayee Start of day 2 of @LondonLabour conference. 9.10am start with opening remarks by Chair Maggi Ferncombe @unisontheunionJohn Gray @grayee Proud to ha…Read more…
London Labour Party Conference 2023 – Day 1
From my twitter feed as a UNISON Labour Link Delegate. At @LondonLabour annual conference. Chair of Regional board #MaggiFerncombe opens conferenceNext our @labour leader @Keir_Starmer MP gives key note speech on why we w…Read more…
Newham Labour Unions – the Right to Strike – Thursday 2 Feb 23
This is our 2nd meeting to organise and rally Labour Party supporting trade union branches and activists in Newham. The Tory Government threats to the basic human right of taking strike action simply must be opposed. Find out more about what is a…Read more…
The blood donor
Yesterday I gave blood at the NHA centre in Stratford Westfield, for the first time in many years. When I was younger, I use to donate on a regular basis but for various superficial reasons, I fell out of the habit. There was a national appeal in Novem…Read more…
You now need a pension pot lump sum worth £646,000 to have a comfortable retirement
Check out this shocking report that rising prices mean that in last year a couple on a “minimum” retirement income (including state pension) will need almost 20% income (extra £3200 pa) per year. But who anyway wants to retire on the “minimum”?To…Read more…
Homerton Ambulance Station Picket line 23.1.23
This lunch time I went to show solidarity to striking UNISON Ambulance workers, on their picket line in Homerton, East London. I went as a GLR UNISON Regional Council Officer but also on behalf of my branch. My branch Chair (and fellow Labour Councillo…Read more…
Chiltern Society: Ayot St Lawrence Walk
Yesterday, Gill and I drove to Kimpton in Hertfordshire, to start this “moderate” 6 mile circular walk. The weather was marvellous, cold but with bright sunshine. For a weekend Chilterns walk we hardly saw anyone. Early on we did pass the rather elderl…Read more…
UNISON Greater London Housing Associations Branch Newsletter – January 2023
Welcome to the Branch Newsletter!I hope you had a nice break over the festive period and a good beginning of the year! We start this issue with a positive story about a member employed at Clarion Housing Group. As usual, we added information…Read more…
Lyn Brown MP Chairs Olympic Village public meeting with Residents and Police
I attended a pretty good meeting this evening in the Stratford Olympic Village with my MP, Lyn Brown, local residents and Police. I am not a local Councillor for this ward (Cllr Nate Higgins was there together with a number of Labour activists who do l…Read more…
Appointed Chair of Newham Pension Committee
On Monday it was formally announced at our Full Council meeting that I had been appointed as Chair of the Newham Council Pension Committee. The Newham Pension fund has around £1.7 billion in investments and is responsible for the pension futures …Read more…
Nominate Denise Thomas and John Gray to UNISON NEC Community Seats 2023
Denise and I are restanding for the two seats allocated to the UNISON NEC for the National Community service Group (UNISON members who work in Charities, Voluntary Sector and Housing Associations).We have emailed all 477 branches in England and t…Read more…
Little Burstead Loop Walk – Essex Big Skies
Today Gill and I went on our 1st long walk of the New Year and the weather Gods smiled on us. It was about 40 minutes drive from Newham to the car park next to the Dukes Head Pub, Laindon Common, Little Burstead, Basildon. The 5.24 mile…Read more…
London Labour Campaign Training & Canvass
After my Councillor surgery I went to a London Labour campaigning training in Stratford. The Party has a new “script” and revamped “Labour Doorstep” app. The changes make sense and to test its effectiveness, some of us were able to go out to nearby For…Read more…
Saving the People’s Forest
This is very last minute but I have only just seen details. Will try and attend after Council surgery and Labour Party training. I have always wanted to visit this Quaker Meeting Housel. Well done to Leyton & Wanstead CLP for promoting this event. …Read more…
Nominate Sonya Howard, Eddie Brand, Anu Prashar and Abiola Kusoro- your UNISON NEC team for London
As a UNISON London lay activist I can personally recommend all of these candidates seeking nomination as UNISON NEC reps (and was even out on the picket line with Eddie at the LAS branch secretary yesterday). They are all experienced, competent and tou…Read more…
Solidarity With Striking UNISON London Ambulance Service Workers
This afternoon I joined the UNISON LAS picket outside Newham Dockside Building, which is owned and used by the Council for its services but parts of the building are leased to London Ambulance Service (LAS) as its control centre for North London. …Read more…