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 the de…Read more…
I Support Workers on Strike
“John -Next week, Ambulance workers will be back on the picket line after their calls for fair pay and safe working conditions went unanswered. The week after, Environment Agency members will be striking for the first time in history. Thousands m…Read more…
Newham Voices: January 2023 “£300 million New Year vote for Custom House”
Great news for Custom House and check out rest of our local news at https://newhamvoices.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Newham-Voices_Issue-25.pdfSupport here https://newhamvoices.co.uk/support-us/Read more…
Community and Voluntary Lunch and learn: Examining charity accounts to submit pay claims
In our branch we are just about to decide upon many pay claims, so this UNISON (only) training will be really important if you work in this sector. Facebook Twitter Email More optionsrint page Translate pageCommunity and …Read more…
“FTSE 100 bosses paid more in three days than average UK worker for whole year” 5 Jan 2023
Hat tip https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jan/05/ftse-100-bosses-paid-more-in-three-days-than-average-uk-worker-for-whole-year”CEOs pass milestone nine working hours earlier than last year, with pay up 39% on January 2022The bosses o…Read more…
Worlds End walk
I have been enjoying looking at pictures from some great walks Gill and I went on during the recent holidays. The 5 mile circular “World’s End” walk near Wrexham/Horseshoe Pass was magnificent. So dramatic yet so peaceful and a real sense of isol…Read more…
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda 2023
New Year was spent with my sister Lucy in Lincolnshire. While it was a joy to see family members, the show was stolen by Lola (Tabby on right) and her 5 gorgeous eight week old kittens (3 black and white Toms and 2 Tabby females). Blwyddyn Newydd …Read more…
Nadolig Llawen
Went for a wonderful Crimbo walk this morning with Gill to work up an appetite for dinner. Nadolig Llawen! Read more…
Newham Labour Group “Thank you” Xmas do
It was great to attend this very pleasant social last Saturday in Royal Docks community centre. Very pleased to win the first ticket of the raffle and get a “tea for two” at House of Commons with Sir Stephen Timms MP! Read more…
Support London Ambulance Service (and other NHS Strikes)
It was an honour to attend this LAS picket line in West Ham on behalf of Greater London UNISON Regional Council officer. This is a live operational picket line (pickets may be called to go out on a “life or limb” call at any time so must ensure no…Read more…
“Newham Voices” Support meeting 17.12.22
Yesterday I went to Stratford Library to attend this meeting, celebrating 2 years of “Newham Voices” but also a call to arms for local residents, organisations and businesses to get involved and support it for the next 2 years and beyond. I missed…Read more…
Winter Dawn in Wanstead Flats
This picture was taken during a run around Wanstead Flats on Thursday. It was very cold but I had on multiple layers, tights, hat and gloves as well as running shoes with studs because of the ice. A great way to start the day but I had to drag my…Read more…
The West Ham 3 John’s go for a Bulgarian
Picture of a semi outdoor meal at the relatively new Rodina restaurant in Stratford High Street on Tuesday evening. I was with former Newham Councillor (and Chair of Local Authority Pension Fund Forum) John Saunders and my West Ham Ward Councillo…Read more…
“Military housing: Families say they’re living in damp, mouldy conditions” Will Gove tell Wallace to Resign?
Check out on this daming BBC report and pictures on the dreadful conditions that so many of our military families live in. While I am broadly supportive of the often justifiable criticisms that Secretary State, Michael Gove has made of socia…Read more…
Getting ready for UNISON NHS strikes – 21.12.22
Picture from yesterday in Wanstead flats, East London, after the heaviest snowfall for many years alongside a potential picket, who will be supporting the UNISON NHS strike next week (Wednesday 21 December) against massive real term pay cuts for …Read more…
“Newham Voices needs your support. Come and join us 10 am Saturday, December 17th, at Stratford Library”
“Newham Voices needs your support. Come and join us 10 am Saturday, December 17th, at Stratford Library For more than two years Newham Voices has been successfully providing community news and information for the people of Newham, but now we…Read more…
Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) Annual Conference 2022: Day 1
Last week I went to the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) Annual 3 day Conference in Bournemouth. I have been one of the Joint Vice Chairs for the past 3 years and an active participant in LAPFF both as a trade union pension rep and a Co…Read more…
UNISON Housing Association Branch Executive Xmas Polish Dinner
After a few very busy days at the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) Conference in Bournemouth (which I will post further on) I came back to London to meet up with colleagues from my UNISON branch executive for a my first ever Polish meal at&nb…Read more…
Nazeing Common walk
Off message but on Sunday Gill and I went for a 5 mile circular walk around Nazeing Common in Essex. Only 30 minutes drive from East London (not great for public transport), we have done several versions of this walk but this one was taken from the Ord…Read more…
Plaistow West and Canning Town East canvass 3.12.22
On Saturday after my surgery I joined the new Councillor team at the also new ward of Plaistow West and Canning Town East. We were joined by our Greater London Assembly member, Unmesh Desai. On the whole a fairly positive canvass. Lots …Read more…