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…
Enough is enough, #VoteYes for a proper pay rise
Council and school workers deserve a fair and proper pay rise. UNISON is balloting members for strike action after members rejected a 1.75% pay rise. Tell employers that #EnoughIsEnough and #VoteYes for a proper pay rise. www.unison.org.uk/LGpayRead more…
London UNISON, Trade Union Congress & America Federation of Labour
Today I went to the Greater London Regional UNISON office for the first time in nearly 2 years (due to Covid) in order to support a member being interviewed virtually by their employer. The office is in the historic Congress House, the home of th…Read more…
Double vaccinated and booster jabbed
This morning I got my Covid booster jab at my local chemist. I had booked an appointment (as over 50) here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/.
The jab was on time a…Read more…
Ringing West Hammers about Boris & 2 Job MPs
This afternoon I was supposed to go out knocking on doors and speaking to residents with our MP, Lyn Brown. However, it was cancelled, so instead I decided to ring residents in the ward I represent as a Councillor, West Ham.
I used the Lab…Read more…
Birthday drinks and curry 2011 & 2021
Top picture was from last night and bottom was 2011. Monty, Trev, Dave and I used to work for Tower Hamlets Council Housing. We were also UNISON activists. Thanks to Aromas Restaurant in Forest Gate for great food now and then.
Lots of reminisci…Read more…
Damp and Mould – It’s not lifestyle.
This is spot on. As a Housing officer and a Councillor, I have been arguing this point as long as I can remember. The stock response of telling all residents it is always their “fault” for damp and mould due to their “lifestyle” is simply w…Read more…
The Good and Bad – UNISON Labour Link & Self Organisation
Excellent news yesterday about the UNISON National Labour Link committee elections.
“Congratulations to my UNISON friends and colleagues Linda Hobson and Sian Stockham on being elected as Chair and Vice Chair of the UNISON National Labour Link Commit…Read more…
Labour’s Fair Pay Agreements (winning back support from working class voters)
This evening I enjoyed a tasty curry in Whitechapel with a UNISON comrade. During which we discussed how Labour Leader, Keir Starmer, can win back economic left minded but often socially conservative working class voters.
I have been meaning since Par…Read more…
Standing as a Labour and Co-operative Candidate in May 2022
Hat tip to Neil Wilson our Newham secretary, Co-op Party from London Region.
Standing as a Labour & Co-operative candidate We are really keen to ensure we maintain a large number of Labour & Co-operative councillors following the local election…Read more…
Remembrance Sunday at Wickham Market
Off message but this weekend Gill and I were away in Suffolk for a special family wedding. Normally on Remembrance Sunday, we would have attended the service today at All Saints, West Ham, with local Councillors and our MP, Lyn Brown.
This…Read more…
Defend your union from those who want to destroy it.
Defend your union from those who want to destroy it. Please donate what you can and watch this space about what more you can do to save our union.
https://gofund.me/ed31e7ca
“UNISON democracy is under attack. We are raising funds for our campaign to …Read more…
103rd Anniversary of Armistice Day at East Ham Cenotaph
This morning I laid a wreath on behalf of Newham Councillors at the Cenotaph in Central Park, East Ham. My colleague, Cllr Carleene Lee-Phakoe, Cabinet lead for Brighter Futures, had firstly laid a wreath on behalf of the Council.
It was a very well …Read more…
UNISON lay leadership in East Midlands “tell it as it is” on attempt to destroy our unions democracy & sack our General Secretary
Well done the East Midlands Regional Convenor Team for this. A number of other Regional Teams have sent similar advice to branches. The Greater London Regional Convenor Team (which I am one of) sent a request to the new “Presidential team” and the Lond…Read more…
Just booked my Covid booster jab
I have just booked my booster jab on line. It took me about 5 minutes and all your need is to be registered with a GP, your NHS number (but if don’t have it you can still register but takes slightly longer), your date of birth and post code.
The…Read more…
Trotsky, the Bolshevik Revolution & me
Today is the 142nd birthday of Leon Trotsky and the 104th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution (aka as the October Revolution due to the Russian Gregorian calendar).
A great music video from my misspent youth.
By coincidence it is also my birt…Read more…
HMS Warrior: West Ham Iron Battleship
The first British Royal Navy iron clad ship now in Portsmouth harbour but constructed in Bow Creek, West Ham.
Read more…
ABBA Voyage
Listening to album for first time with glass of red wine. Happy.
Happy Diwali – Festival of Lights
This evening my ward Councillor colleague, John Whitworth and I, continued our street surgeries in West Ham ward while enjoying the the spectacular firework displays.
Some very interesting conversations with residents, such as whether we will ca…Read more…