President, Conference. John Gray, NEC, speaking strongly in favour of amendment 59.1 and against the privatisation of our public services by so called Public Service Mutuals. To be clear Unison is a supporter of the Co-operative movement and I happen p…Read more…
#UNDC18 UNISON National Delegate conference 2018 Thursday
Day 3 of UNISON National Conference. Read more…
_#UNDC18 “Housing Affordability is a growing concern for public services”
My speech to UNISON National Delegate Conference on behalf of National Executive
“Conference, President, it is unacceptable that public service workers continue to be priced of the housing market.
They keep local authority, education, community, our …Read more…
#UNDC18 UNISON NDC Wednesday fringes
Pictures from Conference floor; 25th Anniversary of UNISON celebration with my branch delegates two important fringes on Pensions and Housing. Read more…
#UNDC18 – UNISON National Delegate Conference 2018. Day one Tuesday
Day one of the 25th UNISON conference in Brighton. Pictures of UNISON NEC and my branch delegates. Read more…
Man who fly-tipped 20 tonnes of waste in Newham jailed for 8 months
Can you believe the neck of this criminal? Well done to all those involved in getting this conviction.Read more…
Newham Full Council Meeting 18 June 2018 – 3 minute update on Housing Services
Picture from the new style Newham Full Council meeting at East Ham Town Hall yesterday evening. The most people I have ever seen at a normal Council meeting I think?
As the Cabinet member of Housing Services I gave a 3 minute report on what I had been…Read more…
Essex Way: Epping to Chipping Ongar
Off message. Last year Gill and I finally finished the London Loop walk (which took us 3 years to complete in stages) but on 10 June we started our next long distance walking challenge, the 82 mile (130 km) Essex Way. Which starts in Epping and fi…Read more…
Community Land Trusts – are they part of the answer? Compass in Newham debate 3rd July
This looks like a good event but I have clash that evening. Read more…
120k kids in B&Bs, Grenfell Tower; 200k Tenants abused pa; NHHG Fashion, Rutting Stags, Tackling Fuel Poverty – Labour Housing Group AGM 2018
This morning I went to the AGM of the Labour Housing Group which took place at Camden Town Hall. The LHG is a socialist society affiliated to the Labour Party, which as the name suggests, is a forum concerned with the political development of Labour ho…Read more…
“Councils face replacement property drought”
Two-thirds of councils will be unable to replace all the homes sold under Right to Buy without significant reform of the system, according to the Local Government Association.The LGA this week released research it commissioned from property consultancy…Read more…
Why Pensions are so important and organising to defend the Local Government Pension Scheme
Today I had a record breaking 3 meetings on Pensions. First I chaired a meeting of Greater London UNISON reps who sit on local Council Pension Boards (see group picture of Forum members above).
UNISON has cross service group national and regional foru…Read more…
Green For Grenfell
“Lighting up the Old Stratford Town Hall & East Ham Town Hall at @NewhamLondon to mark our respects to the victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy one year on. And our enduring condolences to their loved ones. #greenforgrenfell”
Hat Tip Mayor Rokhsa…Read more…
Magpie Project
I spent some time this morning at the Magpie Project in Forest Gate talking to families using the centre & volunteers. I was so impressed. A fantastic respite & haven for mums and children living in temporary accommodation in and around Newham …Read more…
“What it’s like to be on the receiving end of a violent attack…” Lynn’s Story and UNISON Charter on Violence at Work
Yesterday there was a Parliamentary launch of the UNISON Violence at work Charter for the 3rd Sector. There was a number of MPs and employers who turned up to support the launch. The contribution by UNISON Member, Lynn Gillespie, at this event about he…Read more…
Doing business the right way benefits everyone
“John Gray says it is worrying for asset owners that many companies have failed to take part in the government-backed Workforce Disclosure Initiative.
I don’t always agree with Conservative ministers, but I did at the launch of a report last mont…Read more…
Over a million people on Council waiting list. Let’s turn Benefits into Bricks?
Many thanks to Shelter for their report highlighting the National Housing waiting list crisis. There is more than a million people on UK Housing waiting lists. Newham is highlighted as having proportionally the worse crisis in the entire country. …Read more…
West Hammers “on the knocker” for Janet in Lewisham East
Picture collage from this afternoon’s campaigning by (mostly) West Ham Labour in support of Janet Dady, Labour Parliamentary candidate for the Lewisham East by election.
Our team was joined by our MP Lyn Brown (and by Cara – her Labour Attack Dog). Ea…Read more…
Tower Hamlets Community Housing Strike over Pay
Early this morning I went to the UNISON picket line outside the headquarters of Tower Hamlets Community Housing (THCH) to show solidarity and support for the strikers. In my roles as UNISON London Housing Associations branch secretary, Regional Council…Read more…
Newham Cabinet Meeting Monday 5 JUne 2018
This was the first cabinet meeting of the new administration which I thought went really well.
See what the Newham Recorder thought below:-