On Tuesday there was the first proper meeting of the newly elected UNISON National Executive Council (NEC). The NEC is the UNISON “Parliament” of elected members, which helps run and lead the union in-between our national conferences. I was …Read more…
Newham Council Task & Finish report on 10 Year plan to solve the Temporary Accommodation Crisis
Yesterday, I presented a report to Full Council on the recommendations of a task and finish Group that I chaired, on the Temporary Accommodation crisis in Newham. This report was accepted unanimously. The key recommendation was that we have to hav…Read more…
West Ham and Manor Park Street Surgery
Last Saturday I joined my West Hammer comrades John & Varghese for our ward street surgery. We went to the historic heart of the ward – Church Street. As a local Councillor, I picked up case work on housing repairs – individual and commu…Read more…
UNISON National Labour Link Forum 2025: Day 1 & 2
UNISON Labour Link is the part of our union that is made up of members who decide to affiliate to the Labour Party and the Forum is our annual meeting, which this year took place in Glasgow. I attended as an elected London delegate but came early …Read more…
UNISON National Labour Link Forum 2025
I arrived this evening for the UNISON National Labour Link forum in Glasgow. Picture with comrades from the NEC on the National Committee on way back from meal. Forum kicks off tomorrow evening but the National Committee meets in morning.&nb…Read more…
West Ham Labour Street Surgery
After my static advice surgery on Saturday morning I joined local volunteers and Councillors to carry out a door by door street surgery in West Ham.We knocked on the doors of residents and ask them if they have any problems or issues with Newham …Read more…
Are you a trade union rep concerned about the temperature in your workplace?
In the week 14 – 20 July, @The_TUC is inviting union health and safety reps to check their workplace temperatures.
Help organise for safer, cooler workplaces!Sign up now for our week of action, 14-20 July:
https://tuc.org.uk/news/workplace-tempe…Read more…
Labour Street Surgery in Stratford
On Saturday afternoon I joined a street surgery and campaign session in Stratford with local Councillor, Sabia Kamali. There had been a morning session as well which I could not attend but I cycled to the meeting point in Stratford High Road, whi…Read more…
UNISON NEC Presidential Team elections 2025-2026
UNISON National Conference finished at 4pm on Friday 20 June 2025. I will post on the last 2 days of conference when I can. But after the close of conference, the newly elected UNISON National Executive Council (2025-2027 NEC) met for the first time to…Read more…
UNISON National Delegate Conference 25: Day two
I had another relatively early start to get to the NEC conference pre meeting for 8.30am. I had a day off running but did some HIIT instead. The NEC pre meeting went well and I was in the conference hall for the 9.30am start (Tuesday start is 10am…Read more…
UNISON National Delegate Conference: Day One
Today (Tuesday 17 June) was day one of the UNISON National Delegate Conference 2025, which is taking place in the ACC, Liverpool. This is certainly the largest trade union conference in the UK, if not Europe, with over 2,000 delegates and visitor…Read more…
UNISON National Delegate Conference: Liverpool 2025
Today I travelled by train to Liverpool to take part in the UNISON National Delegate Conference as a NEC representative for Community (80,000 Housing Associations and Charities members) with my colleague Denise Thomas. I always know I am back in L…Read more…
Beckton Street Surgery 15.6.25
Busy day yesterday. I took part in some interviews in the morning then joined Cllr Blossom Young and Cllr Rohima Rahman with some new campaigners in Beckton ward, Newham London. Cllr Tonii Wilson, the 3rd Beckton ward Councillor was unable to joi…Read more…
TUC – Tackling high temperatures at work: Wednesday 18 June 2025 | 14:00- 15:00
High temperatures are a major problem in the workplace, especially during summer. Excessive heat can cause dizziness, fainting, and heat cramps, posing serious health risks. Workers in outdoor sites, warehouses, and kitchens are particularly vuln…Read more…
Re-elected to UNISON NEC 2025-27
I was pleased today to find out that I was re-elected to the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC) for the next 2 years representing all our members who work for Housing Associations and Charities. My running mate Denise Thomas was also re-elec…Read more…
Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum
On Saturday while returning from a lovely break in Dorset, I made a stop at the Martyrs Museum in Tolpuddle.I had visited a few years ago during winter, but it was closed. This museum is truly worth visiting. Located just a few minutes from the A…Read more…
Newham Rough Sleeper Count May 2025
Last night I joined the team going out from Newham Dockside Building to start the bi monthly count from midnight util 3am of rough sleepers in Newham, East London. The team is made up of Council officers, stakeholders and local Councillors. …Read more…
Breakfast at Pellicci
Had yet another great breakfast recently at E Pellicci in Bethnal Green with Monty Matty (former Tower Hamlets UNISON caretaker steward).Believe it or not, since I am cutting down on carbs, and swopped the toast and hash browns for extra Sausage …Read more…
UNISON Members – Get help with School uniforms online application starts today (Wednesday 28 May 2025) at 12 Noon!
I first posted this earlier this month and hope that low paid members with school age children will apply. Online applications are not great for many UNISON members but I hope this being half term in many areas they will notice this and apply.”UN…Read more…
Newham Council AGM 2025
Last Thursday evening was the Newham Council AGM, which was held this year in the new Shipman Youth Zone.In this picture taken at the end of the meeting I am with the Chair of Council (our civic major), Cllr Dr Rohit Das Gupta, our local MPs James Asse…Read more…