All the union news that's fit to blog...
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…
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…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
The First Minister helped to launch UNISON Cymru Wales’ permanent exhibition in Cardiff on 18 November 2021.
Hat tip @LondonNurse2015Read more…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…