“For more than 150 years trade unions have campaigned for better conditions and workers’ rights.But no major industrial union has ever been led by a woman.Christina McAnea is hoping to change that. She is standing to be the general secretary of …Read more…
Newham MPs send letters of protest after shelling of civilian homes in Kashmir
Newham MPs Stephen Timms (East Ham) and Lyn Brown (West Ham) have signed a strongly worded letter to the British Foreign Secretary and the Indian High Commissioner about the shelling of homes in Kashmir apparently by Indian Army forces. Property belong…Read more…
Committee Workers Capital (CWC) online Conference 2020 – The Road Ahead
I logged on this evening to the first session of the Conference. The CWC describes itself on its website “WorkersCapital” “With over 700 participants from 25 different countries, the Committee on Workers’ Capital is an internatio…Read more…
“Opinion: Unison could soon have a female general secretary – about time, too”
The leadership race you may have missed that could have huge consequences for UK workers
Christina McAnea leads the race to become leader of Britain’s biggest union, one representing more than a million people in healthcare, social care, education and …Read more…
A Newham Branch of the Labour Housing Group?
I have been a member of the Labour Housing Group (LHG) for many years. For almost as long I have been talking about seeing if we could set up a borough wide branch of the LHG in Newham.
On its website the LHG describes its role as “The…Read more…
Unions stand up to BHP and exploitative mining companies
Today I took part in as a pension trustee in an online asset owner briefing by trade unions (IndustriALL Global Union) who organise workers in Columbia, Chile and Australia employed (directly or indirectly) by the multinational mining …Read more…
“The Fight for Democracy in Sheffield” by Olivia Brake (now Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam)
Hat tip to Newham for Change. There will be a referendum next May 2021 (postponed by Covid) the same time as Newham will also hold one on changing to a committee model.
“In 2017 I was elected Deputy Leader of Sheffield Council on a tic…Read more…
Crockett’s Leathercloth Works War Memorial & my Taid and his brother
This morning my fellow West Ham Ward Councillor, John Whitworth and I, went to the old factory memorial in Abbey Road junction with Mitre Road E15 for 11am in order to show our respect. Our colleague, Cllr Charlene McLean had a clash. There used …Read more…
Covid-19 “Lockdown” Food Bank
On Saturday I was invited with my colleague, Cllr John Whitworth, by a local charity based in West Ham ward to attend the opening of a nearby Covid-19 lockdown food bank.
During this latest “lockdown” the food bank will be open every Sunda…Read more…
Vote for “MCANEA, Christina” with a single X to be the next General Secretary of UNISON. The first ever female leader of any big UK trade union.
I got my ballot paper at home on Saturday and have voted and posted for Christina (number two in candidate list) to be our next UNISON General Secretary. From my personal interaction with her as a NEC member and branch secretary, she is the best …Read more…
Remembrance Sunday – Remembering the Fallen and the Claxton Family
This morning at 11am I was at East London Cemetery with my West Ham ward colleague, Cllr John Whitworth, to lay a wreath to remember the fallen.
Usually we would have attended the Remembrance Day Service at the West Ham All Saints Ch…Read more…
Trump is Going! Best Birthday Present Ever!
I would like to thank the people of America for giving me today the best birthday pressie ever!
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Mor Garw/ Stormy Sea by Kyffin Williams
Mor Garw/ Stormy Sea by Kyffin WilliamsAnother print from a calendar published by National Library of Wales featuring the works of Welsh Artist, Kyffin Williams.I have been posting the paintings each month. This is Tachwedd November 2020. #GreatN…Read more…
ROGUE LANDLORDS – How to Protect Tenants and Raise Standards (Labour Housing Group Newsletter Nov 20)
“Newham has one of the most extensive,longest running and most effective landlordlicensing schemes in the country. It was set up in 2013 and renewed for another 5 years in 2018. At one stage Newham was prosecuting more criminal landlords that th…Read more…
What a great photo of Black and White East End kids in the 1930s
Crown Street, Canning Town, 1930s. Hat tip Newham History Society facebook page “Your periodic reminder, Britain’s multicultural history is working class history”. Mary Evans Picture Library.
This is a fabulous picture in so many way but I espec…Read more…
West Ham Labour MP Lyn Brown Autumn Statement 2020
Dear John, I hope that you and your family have remained safe and well. I know that many of you have been playing a really important role in supporting Newham residents during this terrible time and I just want to thank you so very …Read more…
Ballot Papers out – if you are a UNISON member vote MCANEA, Christina to be our next General Secretary
UNISON members up and down the county have been receiving ballot papers to decide who will be our next General secretary of our union.
I am supporting Christina because I think she is the better candidate but also I think it is about time …Read more…
Voting for Change in Newham – My announcement
Dear Mayor and Councillors colleagues I will be stepping down from my position as Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Lead for Housing Services. I wish to play an active role in the 2021 Newham Mayoral referendum campaign in support of a committe…Read more…
Our Prime Minister and his advisors make a traditional halloween announcement on Covid
nuf said
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67% of Newham Children live in households in poverty after housing costs
I have been pushing on social media the Newham Council consultation on changes to our allocation policy and our new housing strategy.
Recently I had a push back from someone who did not believe our stats on how how many of our residents live in…Read more…