On Saturday morning, I joined UNISON colleagues from Greater London, South East, and Eastern regions as delegates at the TUC LESE Regional Council meeting. It was held online because the National TUC has decided to sell its headquarters at Congress Hou…Read more…
Wayne Mattison for Community Yorkshire & Humberside General Seat –
It’s a bit late, but I’d like to ask UNISON branches or other nomination bodies in the Yorkshire & Humberside region to consider nominating Wayne for the Community General seat. Wayne is an experienced multi-trade repair operative and serves a…Read more…
On tour with Newham Cyclists and Labour Mayor Candidate Forhad Hussain
Yesterday I joined Newham Cyclists and Labour Mayoral candidate Forhad Hussain for a short tour of LTNs, School Streets, and other cycle schemes in Plaistow, West Ham, and Forest Gate. Forhad and I are both keen cyclists (and car owners), an…Read more…
Newham Bi Monthly Rough Sleeping Count Jan 26
Yesterday, I joined Newham staff and fellow councillors for the bi-monthly count of residents sleeping on the streets in Newham. We met at the Newham Dockside office at 11 p.m., and after an extensive briefing, we headed to various known “ro…Read more…
West Ham Ward Surgeries – in and out
This morning I cycled to Stratford Library for my West Ham Councillor surgery in Stratford Library. It was really busy and I also had 2 consecutive residents seeking advice on housing eviction notices. One was very imminent and both were not in t…Read more…
West Ham: a place in labour history
Hat tip Captain Swing and Society for the Study of Labour History (SSLH). West Ham’s first Labour council, 1898.In our continuing series on places in labour history, Mike Mecham argues that West Ham and Canning Town in East London…Read more…
New Year West Ham Street Surgery
After a walking holiday in mostly sunny and warm Madeira, I went out with Newham Labour activists and Councillors today, carrying out a street surgery of residents in West Ham ward. On my right is Sam Mannion who is standing as a Labour Councillo…Read more…
Value for LAPFF Members
Some thoughts about what LAPFF is all about. LAPFF (Local Authority Pension Fund Forum) delivers value to members in multiple ways. Hear from LAPFF representatives on what membership offers and why it matters.
Speakers:
Cllr. Doug McMurdo, Chair …Read more…
Happy New Year 2026 from the Gray Family Past and Present
Boxing Day walk 2025: Duton Hill, Essex circular 6.5 miles
Went for the traditional Boxing Day walk with Gill, starting at Duton Hill, Essex (near Dunmow), about 40 minutes from East London. Only when we arrived did we realise we’d already done this route earlier in the year (April 6), but it’s a lovely walk, …Read more…
Thank you to everyone working over Christmas and New Year
Hat tip @unisontheunionPublic service workers across the UK are working 365 days a year, seven days a week and 24 hours a day to keep us safe, healthy and warm.
We just want to say a special ‘thank you’ to everyone working over Christ…Read more…
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda 2026!
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026. Picture taken on Conwy’s medieval town walls Easter 2025 while doing a self guided tour of Castle and town. Well worth a visit. Click on picture to enjoy the views!Read more…
Register TUC Pension Conference 2026
(Graphic above is estimate of retirement living standards/pension income required for workers 2025. How many workers will struggle to get even a minimum to retire on? https://www.retirementlivingstandards.org.uk/)”Why attend? TUC Pensions Con…Read more…
UNISON Christmas Rewards! 🎄🛍️
As a UNISON member you can save £££’s on discounted gift vouchers and shopping cards and get cashback from top retailers such as Argos, Currys, M&S, IKEA, Boots, and more.
http://unsn.uk/4f9DKgLRead more…
Blackheath & Greenwich Park Walk 2025
Off message but this photo college is from an amended 5 mile walk, Gill and I did on Sunday 30 November 25. It was a walk we have sort of done before but we started in the Isle of Dogs, then took the free foot tunnel to Greenwich (always an inter…Read more…
“On the Knocker” Newham Labour Xmas Street Surgeries
Today I joined Newham Labour Mayoral Candidate 2026, Forhad Hussain, local Councillors, activists and 2026 candidates, to carry out a series of street surgeries across Newham – Green Street (which I missed), West Ham, Canning Town and Little Ilfo…Read more…
‘There can be no decent homes without tenant empowerment’ – Labour Housing Group
“Join us in conversation with Stuart Hodkinson on Tuesday 6 January (7pm) for our first event of 2026!Dr Stuart Hodkinson (University of Leeds) is an academic who has been working with tenants struggling for better housing conditions for nearly 2…Read more…
Thank you – Christina
Dear friends,By now you’ll have heard the result. I didn’t win, and of course I’m disappointed, it’s not the outcome we hoped for.But I want to say thank you. Thank you to everyone who believed in me, who gave their time, energy and support durin…Read more…
BREAKING: Labour’s landmark Employment Rights Bill has PASSED both Houses of Parliament.
Fantastic News! Well done Labour Unions and the Labour Government!”We did it: Labour’s landmark Employment Rights Bill has finally passed BOTH Houses of Parliament – meaning it is just inches away from becoming law.The Bill is the first step in d…Read more…
UNISONdirect opening hours during the Christmas period
UNISON member and need help? Call UNISONDirect on 0800 0 857 857 Christmas hours Read more…