Scotland and the UK needs a pay rise. It’s necessary for hard pressed workers and their families, but it’s equally vital for the economy.
The next two week’s will be Fair Pay Fortnight, a series of…Read more…
West Ham & Ilford North Valentine’s Day Labour doorstep
Picture from our Valentine “on the knocker” for Labour candidate in Ilford North, Wes Streeting.
West Ham Labour had two canvass teams working with local activists in Fairlop ward. While Lyn Brown MP ran a telephone canvassing bank at the Ilford North…Read more…
Education is the Key: CWU Black Leadership Weekend School
Colleagues,
A brief post as I am just back at Ruskin to do some email before dashing to Belfast for a few days with my family for a fine blend of politics/culture.
I wanted to send a note of thanks to the black CWU activists I have been with since Fr…Read more…
Speech: Greece Solidarity Campaign demonstration
I bring you greetings from Frances O’Grady, General Secretary of the TUC and greetings from the General Council of the TUC. The victory of Syriza is an inspiration for the whole working class…Read more…
Election 2015 – What’s at stake?
CLASS, the labour movement think tank, has published the first in a series of general election guides. Election 2015: What’s at stake for work, pay and unions?
This timely…Read more…
Night Workers by Helen Dunmore
All you who are awake in the dark of the night,
all you companions of the one lit window
in the knuckled-down row of sleeping houses,
all you who think nothing of the midnight hour
but by…Read more…
UNISON Housing Association AGM: Branch Secretary report 2014
On Tuesday next week it is my branch AGM at GLA City Hall. At the meeting the Annual Report for 2014 will be tabled (see here).
I have been re-elected unopposed again as Branch secretary for 2015/2016 and below is my contribution to the 2014 annual re…Read more…
“tax avoidance, everyone does it”
Brilliant. Tories justifying tax avoidance by rich. Hat tip Wrexham for Labour Facebook. Read more…
Ed & Education, Education, Education
On Thursday lunchtime I went to see Labour leader Ed Miliband at a policy launch on Education which took place at Haverstock school in Camden, North London. This state run comprehensive was where Ed and his brother David were educated.
While waiting …Read more…
Global Divestment Day
If we are to save the planet for future generations, it’s time to take action against the power and influence of the fossil fuel industry.
13th-14th February is Global Divestment Day. Thousands of…Read more…
Union women can defeat the Con Dems
#unwc15 UNISON NEC member Jane Carolan writes in the Morning Star on the potential influence of the union’s women members on the outcome of the upcoming General Election: ‘The country can afford the…Read more…
Councillor Dianne Walls OBE
Congratulations to top Labour Forest Gate Councillor and former Newham school head, Dianne Walls, for her award of the Order of British Empire (OBE) last week at Buckingham Place. Well deserved and what a great photograph! hat tip Conor. Read more…
February/March Voice column: What turns a trade union member into an activist?
A sense of social justice, a desire to right a wrong certainly. Talking to union activists at all levels, it always strikes me how much we have in common, both in terms of background and experience….Read more…
Adding insult to injury – public service workers exempt from Tory call for pay rises
‘It’s time Britain had a pay rise’ the Tory Prime Minister told the British Chambers of Commerce on Tuesday. But Tory Ministers were quick to point out that Cameron’s Damascene conversion to fairness…Read more…
USW Statement On “Lack of Progress” In Oil Strike Talks.
Day 10: There was little progress as bargaining with the industry resumed. When talks recessed last week the industry told the USW bargaining committee that they would be bringing one of their…Read more…
UNISON Housing Association AGM – Stella Creasy MP Speaker
Don’t forget the branch AGM is next Tuesaday 17th February, 6-8.30pm at City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA (the London Assembly building).
London Assembly member (and former branch member) Murad Qureshi is hosting the meeting whose them…Read more…
Morning Star: Work and the Law supplement
Bring back cross-sectoral bargaining Ed Miliband has established a commission on “the future of work and prosperity.” It is a panel made up of Alison Downie, Douglas McCormick and John Monks. Trade…Read more…
Councillor report to West Ham Ward: February 2015
This is my written report as a Newham Councillor to West Ham ward Labour Party branch which meets every month. The ward thought to save time they would prefer written reports from Cllrs of which they could then ask questions.
Councillor Report to W…Read more…
USW, Allies In Europe United In Fight For Safety At Oil Refineries
A delegation of striking oil refinery workers from the United Steelworkers (USW) will bring their campaign for a safer oil industry to Europe this week, meeting with allies from labor unions in the…Read more…
Speech: York and District branch
Thank you for the opportunity to address your meeting. Your branch plays an important and progressive role in our union. Long may it do so. Despite the spin from George Osborne and David Cameron,…Read more…