50 years ago ago a man walked on the Moon. Next week a buffoon will walk into 10 Downing Street. This is not progress.
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50 years ago a man walked on the moon. Next week….
Defend local government pensions | Campaigns | UNISON National
Defend local government pensions | Campaigns | UNISON National: The latest attack on pension rights is the thin end of the wedge.
The government is currently consulting on plans to allow universities and colleges in England to opt out of offering the …Read more…
Calling all Newham Council tenants & Leaseholders
We want to hear about where you live and how we can improve these areas. Book at your local forum
http://socsi.in/TenantLeaseholderForums_4ndg2Read more…
When we also murdered Jews…
Last week I was in York for a UNISON Labour Party conference. In the centre of York there is castle called Clifford’s Tower.
In March 1190 the entire Jewish population of York estimated to be 150 men, women and children had fled to the Tower for prote…Read more…
Bastille Day: “La Marseillaise…
Hat tip Red Army Choir
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Fair Tax Week
This week is Fair Tax Week. Imagine what a better world we would live in if the rich individuals and corporations paid their fair share in taxation.
One of my favourite quotations is this “I like paying taxes. With them I buy civilization”. Justice Ol…Read more…
A day with a Community Wealth Builder
I have finally got around to posting on a great “fact finding” visit I had recently with Leader of Preston Council, Cllr Matthew Brown, showing me and a Newham Council officer Community Wealth Building (CWB) initiatives in and around his City centre.
Unison School uniform grants closing soon!
Members on low income could be eligible for school uniform grants from UNISON “There4You” of £40 per child (up to maximum of £120 for 3 children).
Application forms have to be returned by Friday 19 July. Members who are housing benefit and have limite…Read more…
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz talks about boosting housing delivery
Building a 1000 Council owned homes at social rents and campaigning against right to buyRead more…
UNISON National Labour Link Forum 2019 – Day 2
Final morning of Forum (Saturday). The delegation had sat together for the formal meal the previous evening. There was another 9.30 start with the UNISON Labour Link Annual Report.
There was a lovely presentation by the Chair of Labour Party NEC, Wend…Read more…
Anne Lister: Lesbian and Diarist
After the end of UNISON Labour Link Forum, I stayed on at York for the weekend and I went on a guided tour of York, which took us to the Church (Holy Trinity) that Anne Lister and Ann Walker sealed their union in Easter 1834. The film serie…Read more…
Motion 2 – Local Government Finance #LabLink19
This is my speech to UNISON Labour Link Forum on behalf of the National Committee on Government cuts to Local Government.
“Forum, the scale of the problem is simply staggering.
Government funding to local authorities has been cut since 2010 by an i…Read more…
UNISON National Labour Link Forum 2019 – Day 1
I arrived yesterday morning for a pre meeting of the National Labour Link Committee where we agreed policy towards toward motions and agreed speakers on motions. In the evening I chaired the London regional delegation meeting, after which 11 of us went…Read more…
Newham Council Apprenticeship Scheme
Newham Council is recruiting for Apprentices. Please read all documents carefully and take note of apprenticeship criteria below before applying. To apply and for further information please see the below.
CLICK HERE
Should you require any help or adv…Read more…
Community NEC report: John Gray 3 July 2019
Firstly, many thanks to all branches that nominated me and to those who voted to re-elect me to the National Executive Council to represent our service group.
Also, congratulations to Denise Thomas who was also elected for the first time as the other…Read more…
Local Government Conference 2019
Warrior Square Walkabout
Picture college from this morning’s walkabout in Warrior Square, Little Ilford with Councillors and officers from Housing liaison, Caretaking, ASB, Repairs and Technical. Also, a local Police Community Support Officer was in attendance.
I am det…Read more…
Newham Councillors at Debden House – Now and then: 1949 and 2019
On Friday we had a Cabinet training day at the Newham Council owned Debden House Conference, Education and Camping centre in Epping Forest.
This is the first time I have been at the centre and I was amazed at the facilities and that there is such a be…Read more…
Assaults survey: full findings reveal rising abuse of frontline housing staff
“He came right up to me and had his finger within inches of my face – it was awful.”
Alison* is describing an experience she had while working as a frontline housing officer in the North East of England. She was leading a public meeting for her local …Read more…