Today I chaired our virtual Greater London UNISON Labour Link Committee (which represents UNISON members who have chosen to affiliate to the Labour Party in London).
AS well as discussing budgets, work plans and campaigning for next …Read more…
“How not to handle a flexible working request”
Check out this article on how in King v Tesco our largest supermarket in the UK messed up a request by one of its employees for flexible working. It is an important but tricky subject so make sure you join a union (UNISON of course if you work in publi…Read more…
Council houses named after Matchgirls Strike leader – Sarah Chapman
Hat tip picture Tower Hamlets Council and report Ali G and article by East London Advertiser (note campaign in Newham to protect the grave site of Sarah Chapman in Manor Park Cemetery. – https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2020/03/visiting-grave-of-…Read more…
Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge, Chingford to Forest Gate Walk
Off message but on Sunday, Gill and I took the magic train from Wanstead Park station to Chingford (change at Walthamstow Queens Road then walk to nearby Walthamstow Central to catch the connection for Chingford). It only took just over 30 minutes but …Read more…
Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 theme: #OneDay
One Day – 27 January – is a day that we put aside every year to come together to remember, to learn about the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, in the hope that there may be&n…Read more…
LAPFF Conference 2021: Day One
Day One of the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum Annual (LAPFF) conference started with a welcome by our Chair, Cllr Doug McMurdo.
First item was a blended panel on the Local Government Pension Scheme APPG (all Party Parliamentary Group) report…Read more…
BBC Reality Check debunks five false vaccine claims
After responding to some bizarre and misleading comments on a post I have made about vaccination I thought this article and video by the BBC is really helpful.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-59523439
While I can understand and respect peoples hesi…Read more…
“Reboot furlough to save jobs in sectors hit by Plan B” says TUC
“The TUC has called for Treasury support to protect jobs, and for the sick pay system to be fixed to reduce spread of Omicron, in response to today’s announcement of ‘plan B’ restrictions.The union body highlights that when a work from home instruction…Read more…
LAPFF at Thirty
I am currently in Bournemouth for the 30th annual conference of the Local Authority Pension Fund. I am one of its Vice Chair’s. This 6 minute video was produced to celebrate the history of LAPFF and a reminder of the good work it has done over the years/Read more…
“Engaging for Change” – Local Authority Pension Fund Forum Conference 2021
On Wednesday I arrived in Bournemouth for our annual conference (which was cancelled last year due to Covid-19) looking forward to the next 3 days of pretty non stop pension and investment debates, sharing of ideas and presentations #nirvana.
Read more…
“Newham primary schools top national league tables”
What fantastic news! Hat tip to Sally Patterson at @NewhamRecorder
“Newham schools have topped the league tables in the Sunday Times’ best primary school rankings.
St Antony’s Catholic Primary School in Forest Gate and East Ham’s St Stephen’s Pr…Read more…
The Heart of Hardy Country
Off message but a week or two ago, Gill and I spent a few days in Dorset and did a fantastic 8 mile walk starting near the cottage that the author, Thomas Hardy, was born and passing the Church grave yard that his heart is buried.
I struggled re…Read more…
“On the knocker for Labour” in Custom House with Lyn Brown MP & Unmesh Desai AM
This afternoon I went out door knocking with our MP, Lyn Brown and our East London Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai.
We split into 2 teams. One led by local Councillor, James Beckles, with Party activist John Morris and the other by myself an…Read more…
How much should I put in a pension?
This morning I gave a presentation on Housing Associations Pensions provision to my TUC Employment Law Course.
One of the issues I discussed is “How much should I put in a pension”?
If you are in a “defined benefit” scheme (sadly – and wro…Read more…
Newham Christmas Toy Appeal 2021
“Child poverty in Newham is the 2nd worst in the country. Despite the best endeavour of so many people, children will wake up on Christmas day believing Father Christmas has forgotten them, or worse that they’re on the naughty list. Pls give if you are…Read more…
More Corrupt Practices by Ultra Left Extremists & Cultists in UNISON NEC.
Check out the comments today of former UNISON President Gordon Mckay (and NHS Nurse) on the latest move by our current NEC to allow our union to be controlled and ultimately destroyed by Ultra left extremists and cults.
“UNISON NEC today agreed rule …Read more…
Tenants told don’t be rude about Councillors!
I must admit that this article from “Nearly Legal” made me smile. Not that abuse and harassment isn’t a serious issue in housing but having a tenancy condition saying you cannot be “derogatory” (showing a critical attitude and lack of respec…Read more…
Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce Networking Breakfast
This morning I had an early start to make my way to a “Networking Breakfast” at Mansion House in the City of London. This was the first such physical breakfast event I have attended since the start of the pandemic. Dispite the recent concerning n…Read more…
Hanningfield Reservoir walk
Off message but recently Gill and I did this short (4 mile) walk starting and finishing at Hanningfield Reservoir in South Essex (near Chelmsford) about 40 minutes drive from Newham (public transport not good). Big Essex Skies.
Check out Essex Pa…Read more…
UNISON and the Welsh labour movement, Mark Drakeford’s speech
The First Minister helped to launch UNISON Cymru Wales’ permanent exhibition in Cardiff on 18 November 2021.
Hat tip @LondonNurse2015Read more…