All the union news that's fit to blog...
Update from the Mayor of Newham: Coronavirus update – an increase of confirmed cases at 42 (20 March 2020)
Today, there’s been confirmation of further increases of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Newham from 32 yesterday to 42.
Additionally, we h…Read more…
Keir Starmer has called on the Government to introduce a bold, comprehensive package to protect the incomes of British workers against the economic impact caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Earlier this week, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced…Read more…
A real shame but understandable that we had to cancel our Branch AGM tonight at London City Hall. Many thanks to Deputy Mayor for Housing, Tom Copley, for offering to be our keynote speaker and to his staff for organising it (also to my local Ass…Read more…
“Where is the support for renters, the social care sector, public services or local authorities? The Guardian
We are living through a global emergency. There are no easy solutions. Soundbites will not turn the situation around. And all of us have…Read more…
Despite the corona virus emergency we must also keep an eye out on what else the government is proposing.
UNISON has spotted that the Tories are proposing to stop local authorities using developers money (so called section 106 money) to fund homes for…Read more…
“Dear Newham Resident,
On Friday I wrote to let you know Newham had experienced its first confirmed case of coronavirus (or Covid-19). Unfortunately, that number has now risen to three confirmed cases.
One of the new cases is a teacher at one of our s…Read more…
This is a TUC supported petition. Many infected workers may think they cannot afford to self-isolate since their families will run out of money. The government has moved on paying Statutory Sick Pay from 1st day but this is not enough! Recently I …Read more…
Just watched BBC biopic of actress Barbara Windsor on Netflix.
A lovely film with with great acting and serious themes. It is definitely recommended.
I think it supports my firm view (not in any way original) that a patriarchal society is not on…Read more…
Went on excellent heritage talk & walk led by John Walker about Victorian workhouse for children in what is now Forest Lane Park. We could not see memorial to 26 who died in 1890 fire since cemetery shut. I must go another time. Part of #Bloominfor…Read more…
Love it.Read more…
A busy Labour movement day. Firstly I Chaired the Greater London UNISON Labour Link Annual Forum. Our guest speaker was Len Duvall who is a longstanding UNISON member and Labour Leader in the London assembly. Who gave a passionate speech about the need…Read more…
Off message-ish. Last month we went to Lincolnshire to visit my little sister and our nephew (and his lovely family).
On the Sunday we went to Lincoln to visit the historic city centre. A fascinating place to spend a few hours. Despite Lincolnshire be…Read more…
This morning I attended a briefing with Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz, in Newham Dockside with young potential leaders from all over the world brought to the UK by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (A UK funded public body). They were here to…Read more…
Some really great policies on reforming our broken housing market in London. In Newham at least 48% of our homes are now privately rented. It is not unusual for a one bed flat to cost at least £1200 per month. 50% of our families live in poverty once y…Read more…
This year as a Christmas present I got another calendar featuring paintings of North Walian artist, Kyffin Williams. This is Mawrth/March painting called “Farmer Amongst the Rocks” and I will post on all the paintings in the calendar during 2020.
Toda…Read more…
“The Branch Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday, 19th of March (note change of date) from 6:00pm-8:00pm at London City Hall.This meeting is open to all members of UNISON Housing Associations Branch. At the meeting Branch Officers wi…Read more…
Hat tip Cllr Rachel Tripp (media caption mine from Public Health England)If you read this blog then you’re probably reasonably active online, and so you’ve probably already seen some discussion about the proposal that Newham should charge for…Read more…
“Dickensian stories and tales of the midwife in Forest Gate. 1/2 Talk and walk, lead by yours truly, on the 700 pupil residential Victorian workhouse school and 20th century maternity hospital that existed on Forest Lane. Sat 14 Mar 2-3.30pm, The Lodge…Read more…
(My TUC tutor DAve Smith, was blacklisted from the construction industry and forced to retrain as a teacher. He said during the 1980s London building boom he was the only trained carpenter who had to rely on milk tokens to feed his family.)
West Ham …Read more…
I had a busy day today but a really worthwhile one. Started off by cycling to West Ham station to meet my Councillor Ward Colleague (and fellow Deputy Mayor) Charlene Mclean and hand out leaflets to commuters, supporting Sadiq Khan, who is standing to …Read more…