UNISON special delegate conference 2021 is now only a few weeks away. If you are a delegate check out this short video on motion 72. It is about time that we modernised and changed the way we fund and support members and branches. Support motion 72!
Walk Wild Essex – South Woodham Ferrers
Photo collage from a fantastic walk last Sunday in South Woodham Ferrers near Cheltenham. A 6 mile circular walk. Only 51 minutes by car from Newham but also the walk starts at the town railway station.
The walk is listed in guide book “Walk Wild Ess…Read more…
Good news, bad news and the same challenges – trade union membership statistics
Check out this article by TUC Carl Roper. TUC Membership grew last year for the 4th year in a row. There are still huge challenges, particularly in the private sector but the recent announcement that Uber has recognised the GMB is really positive…Read more…
West Ham Tenants Handbook 1962
Hat tip for fantastic pictures of West Ham Council housing in 1962 to @Londonnurse2015 & @lccmunicipal. Capel Point is across the road from me and Church Street is in my West Ham Council ward.
Read more…
“Equity vultures prey on the elderly”
I am definitely not a Daily Mail reader but hats off to this article on the investors who take profits at the expense of care homes residents. Pension funds and other asset owners take note. If you do “invest” in this sector, what are y…Read more…
Newham Council Rough Sleeping Street Count: 25 May 2021
Last night I took part again in the latest count of people “rough sleeping” in Newham. Council Officers, members, outreach workers and volunteers, turned up at the former Council staff restaurant area in Newham Dockside building at 11pm for a cof…Read more…
Tomorrow (Wednesday) is last day to post your vote! #UNISONNEC
Ballot closes 5pm Thursday. Some recommendations. Maybe put 1st class stamp on SAE if posting tomorrow. https://avoiceformembers.co.uk/
Make sure you vote and take part in the internal democracy of our union https://avoiceformembers.c…Read more…
Three Labour Movement AGM’s in one Week
Last week I attended 3 different Annual General Meetings.
On Tuesday and Thursday evening, it was the Newham Labour Group AGM (Councillors) where I was elected unopposed as Group Chair.
Then on Wednesday UNISON Greater London Regional Council AG…Read more…
Its not too late there is still time to vote in UNISON NEC elections
Ballot closes 5pm on Thursday. Every vote will count. Ballet papers sent to members home addresses. Please post via SAE by tomorrow (or add first class stamp on Wednesday). Check out https://avoiceformembers.co.uk/ (and below) for voting recommendatio…Read more…
TUC – employers “massively under-reporting” Covid work-related deaths
Yet another massive Government failure over Covid. Hat tip TUC report and picture Morning Star.
· “Employers claim just 2.5% of working-age Covid deaths are from exposure to Coronavirus at work · …Read more…
Denise Thomas for UNISON NEC Community (only 3 days left!)
A brilliant endorsement by UNISON Community activists for my colleague Denise. She is standing for the female seat and I am standing for the General seat. All ballot papers must be returned by this Thursday 27 May. Post it tomorrow!
Check out my recom…Read more…
Just had my 2nd Covid vaccine: Oxford AstraZeneca
I was pleased this morning to have my 2nd Covid vaccination at a local chemist. It took in total around 5-10 minutes. It was far more relaxed process than my first jab which took place in Stratford Westfields.
I had been able to rebook and bring…Read more…
John Gray Community NEC endorsement by Joseph Ogundemuren
Many thanks. Joseph is the branch secretary of the Greater London UNISON Housing Association Branch. In his personal capacity he endorses me for the Community branch nomination. Joseph has also sent another video supporting my colleague Denise Thomas …Read more…
Newham Pension Committee: Launch of our new ESG Investment Policy
This “blended” physical and virtual meeting worked pretty well. There was 5 Newham Councillors present in the former staff canteen area of the Dockside building, while Council officers and advisors joined via zoom from all over the UK. Members of the p…Read more…
The ballot for the #UNISON NEC elections is still open. Vote for #avoiceformembers…
The ballot closes 5pm on Thursday 27 May 2021 so please dig out your ballot paper from the pile of “will sort out later” mail in kitchen drawer or chair and vote as your NEC members people who will be #avoiceformembers.
Check out my…Read more…
Greater London UNISON Regional Council AGM 2021
Today was the Annual General Meeting of the UNISON Greater London Regional Council. It was held virtually with a shortened agenda but mirrored what happened when we had past physical meetings (sort of).
UNISON is the largest union in London wi…Read more…
Thank you Kristina for your vote! (UNISON NEC Community & London seats) #avoiceformembers
Many thanks to London care worker Kristina for her support for Denise and I for the Community seats and also voting for Sonya, Clara, Eddie and Eunice for the London Seats.
If individual UNISON members have not received a freepost ballot paper by now…Read more…
Labour and TUC call for ‘fire and rehire’ ban as part of new work vision
End of lockdown a chance for people to reassert control, say Frances O’Grady and Angela Rayner
People will have an opportunity to wrest back control over their working lives when the country emerges from the pandemic, but the government must do m…Read more…
Thanks Jim for Voting Denise Thomas and John Gray as your UNISON NEC representatives for Community members
Many thanks to Jim D from Glasgow who sent me via my personal facebook a series of questions about my views on issues, I responded and then a little later he sent this photo of his completed ballot paper. Many thanks Jim!
I have received a number of t…Read more…
National Trust St Ives and The Hemingfords walk
On Monday, Gill and I stopped off on the way home from a post lockdown family weekend visit to Lincolnshire to go on this simply marvellous 5 mile circular walk around St Ives, Cambridgeshire.
We started off at the National Trust car park …Read more…