As a Pension trustee I took part in this virtual round table. It is shocking how badly supposedly “blue chip” responsible international mining companies treat their workers (and the environment!). Setting up “dummy” companies to outsource staff in orde…Read more…
Greater London UNISON Labour Link AGM 2020 – Re-elected!
I was really pleased this morning that both myself and Yvonne Green were re-elected unopposed as the respective Chair & Vice Chair of Greater London Labour Link committee for the next 2 years. The last two years have been very difficult for …Read more…
“Talking to the Fabians about committees”
On Saturday morning there was a virtual debate organised by Newham Fabians on “Participatory democracy”.
Local blogger Martin Warne spoke in favour of changing Newham’s governance from an Executive Mayor model to a “Committee model”. Next May th…Read more…
Give Newham the dosh you promised us Chancellor!
Later today the Chancellor will announce the details of the Comprehensive Spending Review, which sets out the government’s departmental spending plans for the next financial year. Let us not forget the financial impact COVID-19 has had on local governm…Read more…
“A Space to Learn, Live & Play” (but can West Ham residents afford to live here?)
Today I joined a zoom presentation by the developers of the old Ford car dealer showrooms at 259 Plaistow Road, West Ham ward, Newham.
I was there as a local ward Councillor with my colleague Cllr McLean (Cllr Whitworth had a medical clash and w…Read more…
UNISON members time is running out. There’s only a few days left to #votechristina. Lets make history…
If you have not voted yet in the UNISON election for our new General Secretary then time is running out.
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. …Read more…
” Up with the houses and Down with the slums” – meeting to discuss forming a Newham Labour Housing Group Wed – 25.11.20 at 7pm
Check out this post and I have emailed an invite to many Newham activists but if you are a local Labour party supporter and are interested in attending then please email, message, Whatsapp or send via this blogs comments your contact details.
Can…Read more…
“Building for the future after years of neglect” Newham Voices
Last month Aidan White from the new community newspaper “Newham Voices” interviewed me in my previous role on housing issues. Subscribe to Newham Voices for £5 per month via its website and you will get a free hard copy of the newspaper delivered…Read more…
Fund managers deny Pension Trustees & their members a voice says AMNT
Well done to the AMNT (Association of Member Nominated Trustees) for this excellent stance on the refusal of many pension fund managers to allow trustees and pensioners to hold them to account for the way they vote in company Annual General Meeti…Read more…
Newham Governance Referendum will be a choice between Keeping Executive Mayor or Moving to Committee model
Picture is from the virtual Newham Council meeting on Monday, where I was pleased that it was agreed that the future governance referendum of our borough, due to be held next year on 6 May 2021 will give residents the real choice between carrying…Read more…
“Woman hopes to make history by becoming first female boss of major trade union” Daily Mirror
“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…