All the union news that's fit to blog...
In my fourteen years on the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC) I think I have spoken from the platform on no more occasions than the four on which I spoke, from the floor, in the two days of my last Local Government Conference as a branch delegate…
I mentioned a little while ago this morning’s meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) (the second to last such meeting in my fourteen years on this august body). Towards the end of the meeting we descended into pantomime as an NEC member spoke by means of asking questions which he clearly…
I have just sat through my last ever Rules debate at UNISON National Delegate Conference. UNISON Conference has passed three non-controversial Rule amendments.
I have to say that we used to have rather more interesting Rules debates within our Conference (indeed we use to have more actual “debates”…
My only contribution this morning at my penultimate meeting of UNISON’s National Executive Council (NEC) was to ask an innocent little question about whether or not the idea of an NEC policy of “support with qualifications” on Conference motions may have had its day.
This led to a lengthy debate…
I have just spoken for the final time on behalf of Lambeth UNISON supporting Barnet branch in their opposition to privatisation at UNISON Local Government Conference.
Seven years ago Barnet branch Secretary John Burgess and I wrote for the Guardian warning about both Tory Barnet’s…
Regular readers of this blog (Sid and Doris Conference-Anorak) may have anticipated a plethora of self-indulgent posting in the week of my twenty-sixth (and last) annual Conference. I would not want to disappoint regular readers.
Today I popped up twic…
I fear I shall miss the London Region pre-meeting for my final UNISON Local Government Conference this evening as I head off for drinks with comrades from Brighton Pavilion Constituency Labour Party.
I shall, however, be at Conference in the morning (…
Today I went to the Great White Elephant of the Euston Road for my last full meeting of UNISON’s National Executive Council (NEC).
This was a good meeting, at which our General Secretary confirmed UNISON’s unequivocal support for Labour’s Leader, Jeremy Corbyn. I was so pleased to hear UNISON…
I want to share a very welcome message I received from our General Secretary on Friday;
“Today I want to thank every one of you who played a part in the campaign.From the outset we believed that if Labour could shift the debate onto public services, it could strike a chord with the electorate and…
The day after a General Election (particularly one that leads to a hung Parliament) is full of people so deprived of sleep that we can barely think sagely offering our opinions as if this was a good idea.
Theresa May was so woozy she thought it a good …
Regular readers (Sid and Doris Rulebook Anorak) will know that this blog is knowledgeable about the work of the Certification Officer, to whom some bloke called Coyne has today complained about the recent election for General Secretary of UNITE.
This C…
Recent posts on this niche blog might lead readers to conclude that I was currently mostly concerned with what was going on within UNISON.
Not at all.
Much as I love my trade union and its members I do not make the mistake of exaggerating the signific…
Having occasionally got into hot water for criticising employees of my own trade union, I think it only right to commend those UNISON staff who are ensuring that anyone who requests the detailed breakdown of the voting in the elections to our National Executive gets them immediately.
That’s not to…
After seven times winning a seat on the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC) against right-wing opposition I chose not to stand in the elections, the results of which were declared yesterday. As I have already observed, I am very happy to stand down undefeated and get on with life – and I am…
The decision of the (Assistant) Certification Officer, issued now online following a lengthy hearing, and including considerable criticism of some conduct associated with the last UNISON General Secretary election (and a declaration that UNISON breache…
The decision of the (Assistant) Certification Officer in the recent case involving the UNISON General Secretary election is now available online.
Diligent readers can now decide for yourselves whether my earlier assessment of the implications of the ru…
The results of the UNISON NEC elections are out.
I am particularly pleased that Sean Fox has won the seat which I have held for the past fourteen years in the Greater London Region, and that my comrades Sonya Howard and Helen Davies have held their sea…
Regular readers of this blog (Sid and Doris National Secretary) will be aware that I am the very soul of modesty and am self-effacing almost to the point of vanishing.
It is therefore very difficult for me to have to share with you certain extracts fro…
UNISON has commented on the outcome of the various complaints made to the Certification Officer by several complainants (including your blogger).
The Union welcomes the decision of the ACO (Assistant Certification Officer) to “uphold the result of the 2015 general secretary election and reject the…