Today we held a simple but powerful remembrance ceremony to mark International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD 28 April). IWMD is supported by trade unions and responsible employers across the world to remember those who have died of accidents at work…Read more…
The Gas Workers’ and General Labourers’ Union was formed #OTD 1889
For all my Boiler Makers friends and comrades. The predecessor to the GMB Union was formed on this day in Beckton Gas works, what is now in Newham, London by future West Ham Mayor and MP, Will Thorne. Hat tip @englishradical Read more…
London Labour Conference 23 – Day 2
From my twitter feed as UNISON Labour Link Delegate lead.John Gray @grayee Start of day 2 of @LondonLabour conference. 9.10am start with opening remarks by Chair Maggi Ferncombe @unisontheunionJohn Gray @grayee Proud to ha…Read more…
Newham Labour Unions – the Right to Strike – Thursday 2 Feb 23
This is our 2nd meeting to organise and rally Labour Party supporting trade union branches and activists in Newham. The Tory Government threats to the basic human right of taking strike action simply must be opposed. Find out more about what is a…Read more…
Labour Party Conference 2022: Day 2 Monday
Another rather random collection of photos from Day 2 of Conference. I posted here on my early morning run and seeing some well known local ladsTop left is a picture from “Newham Night” when delegates and visitors from Newham met up for a drink a…Read more…
Good news, bad news and the same challenges – trade union membership statistics
Check out this article by TUC Carl Roper. TUC Membership grew last year for the 4th year in a row. There are still huge challenges, particularly in the private sector but the recent announcement that Uber has recognised the GMB is really positive…Read more…
Wearing Red for Key Workers on May Day
This afternoon I took part in a Zoom meeting with the Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz, our TUC regional secretary, Sam Gurney and Newham Council shop stewards from UNISON, Unite and GMB.
We were all wearing red to mark “May Day” and we wanted to show sol…Read more…
“Statement from GMB Labour Party staff branch in response to leaked internal report”
I must admit to being very shocked at reading about this issue and fully support the decision by Keir and Angela to launch an urgent independent investigation into the “dossier”.
I note this briefing from the trade union branch that represents L…Read more…
Government must end private contracts before it’s too late, say probation unions
Monday 25 February 2019 For immediate release Government must end private contracts before it’s too late, say probation unions Unions have urged the Justice Secretary to end the failed system of…Read more…
Infrastructure investment politics
A couple of stories caught my eye over the last few days, both relating to the ownership of infrastructure.
The first piece is from the FT and looks at the dividends paid to the owners of the UK’s airports. This contrasts the amounts paid to sharehol…Read more…
Severn Trent dividends
Another day, another attack on a utility company for putting its investors first….
Press release – Embargoed until 00:01 Thursday July 26, 2018
SEVERN TRENT SHAREHOLDERS MAKE £1.1 BILLION AS BILLIONS OF LITRES WASTED, GMB REVEALS
Dividends and inter…Read more…
On the knocker in Plaistow South 25 March
On Saturday 25 March I helped out again, the Plaistow South Labour Party branch on a campaign day with local Councillors and activists. The weather was kind to us this time being unseasonably warm and sunny.
There are no elections planned in London fo…Read more…
Construction undercutting must end
Construction unions Unite and GMB held a series of demonstrations on 12th April over the exploitation of workers. The protests focus on several Danish firms who are building of major energy from…Read more…
Counting the cost of Brexit
Time was when nothing could be done by the Government or the European Union without a rigorously mapped impact assessment. Almost invariably wielded as a tool by deregulatory zealots to show that workers’ demands would lead to unacceptable burdens on business, I can remember exposing many of…Read more…
Newham mayor ‘trigger ballot’: GMB union says it followed the rules as it affiliates more branches locally
Check out former Guardian journalist, Dave Hill’s website “OnLondon” about the latest twist in the Newham Mayoral Trigger saga. Leaving aside this important issue for the moment, what is happening with excessive trade union affiliation to local Labour …Read more…
ASOS exec pay in the spotlight
I blogged last month about the ASOS AGM results, which still puzzle me a little, but the big takeaway was a significant shareholder vote against the company’s remuneration report.
Well, today we can see there are good reasons for shareholders and othe…Read more…
HAVE YOU VOTED? – Indicative ballot / Workplace meeting Clarion Housing Group
Have you voted in the ballot?
Time is running out to have your say…Dear UNISON Member
Clarion and Latimer management has decided to de-recognise trade unions for all staff, pending the result of a survey the…Read more…
ASOS AGM action!
This week saw some great campaigning by the GMB as part of their ongoing battle against poor working practices within ASOS, which has had a particular focus on the distribution centre in Barnsley run by XPO. The GMB had a “Catwalk of Shame” outside, an…Read more…
Why the ‘National Living Wage’ is bad for Britain’s Young Workers
On the 1st April 2016 the Government brought in the ‘National Living Wage’ – essentially a slight increase on the national minimum wage, with a different name. Employers must now pay workers at least…Read more…
Harry Pollitt in East Ham
Hat tip to Captain Swing for sending me this record from the GMB national achieves of a “thank you for voting for me” message from a young East Ham based union activist to we presume, members of his local branch.
The activist is Harry Polli…Read more…