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…
Local authority pension fund investment in affordable housing: is there a case for doing more?
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…