All the union news that's fit to blog...
I have been pushing on social media the Newham Council consultation on changes to our allocation policy and our new housing strategy.
Recently I had a push back from someone who did not believe our stats on how how many of our residents live in…Read more…
During the summer I had a wonderful email from Plaistow resident and local historian, Alan Regin, connected to a post I wrote on this blog following the general election in 2015.
On election day 2015 an UNISON colleague of mine was acting …Read more…
Tonight I spoke to young people from Newham via zoom who were very concerned (and other things) about a proposed immigration detention centre being built by the Home Office in Royal Docks, Newham.
Many Newham Councillors (excluding obvious…Read more…
“Today we didn’t get the reassurance and hope we needed from the Prime Minister.”Read more…
Dear John (4000 Labour members in Newham would have received this email on 26 September) Newham Labour Group’s Working Party are conducting a survey on …Read more…
“As a black woman, the risk seemed too high. But when I think about how worried the doctors were about me, I realised what a mistake I’d made…
Independant
I started feeling unwell at the end of August. Initially, it was just lethargy that I put do…Read more…
Check out Dave Hill interview with Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz, yesterday on the “ONLONDON” website.
Rokhsana confirmed her wish for a borough wide referendum on the future of the directly elected Mayoral model to be held next 6 May 2021. …Read more…
“Before I became the cabinet lead for Housing Services in May 2018, I had worked in inner City housing for over 25 years and thought rather arrogantly I had seen it all. The squalor, deprivation and human misery I have seen while out with our licensing…Read more…
Historic photo of dependants of World War One ex-service men protesting against cuts to War pensions in 1919. The authorities claimed that the local East Ham War Pensions committee did not follow the “rules” and gave out too generous benefits.
“This year there is an even greater need to mark #WindrushDay, which encourages commemoration, recognition and celebration of the contributions of the Windrush generation and their descendants. Visit: https://newham.gov.uk/WindrushDay for stories, fil…Read more…
“Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz has today offered condolences of behalf of the residents of Newham to the family and friends of forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn who died today at the age of 103.Mayor Fiaz said: “Dame Vera was the girl next door who galvanised the…Read more…
My next Newham London, West Ham ward, virtual Councillor surgery is tomorrow (Saturday 6 June) from 10am to 11am. Please email John.Gray@Newham.Gov.uk and I will contact your by phone, or by Zoom, or by Skype or by GoToMeeting or by Teams.
You ca…Read more…
Today is the 75th anniversary of #VEDay
Events have been adapted to mark the occasion at home.
11am – national two-minute silence
3pm – Toast to heroes of World War Two
9pm – Address by the Queen followed by ‘We’ll Meet Again’…Read more…
I have just congratulated on Facebook, Dave Draycott, a former Newham Council social worker and Leeds Labour movement activist (legend) on his retirement.
Dave has been a social worker for 44 years and a very active trade unionist, who also served as …Read more…
Covid-19 impacts Newham more, 214 confirmed deaths & why community testing and contact tracing is keySo now we have the evidence, which I reported three weeks ago and since: ethnic minorities and those living in the most deprived neighbourhoods…Read more…
Pictures from trades unions via TUC and from last year’s Newham/ UNISON eventRead more…
Hat tip Labour List by Rokhsana Fiaz, Executive Mayor of Newham.
“Two weeks ago, there was nothing. Some ideas, lots of questions and a whole bunch of challenges to overcome. How can we get food, medicine, essential household items and support to…Read more…
UPDATE ABOUT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19):
REFLECTIONS ON EASTER SUNDAY DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS
AS THOSE INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS IN NEWHAM RISES TO 702 CASES
FROM MAYOR ROKHSANA FIAZ
11th April 2020Dear Newham Resident,Tomorrow, Easter Sunday, is the most…Read more…
On Sunday Gill and I took advantage of the lovely weather to walk from home for our hour of exercise. We went via Wanstead flats (Epping Forest) past Jubilee Pond into Bush Wood then Wanstead then home. There is loads of beautiful openspaces and parkla…Read more…