This year since Workers Memorial Day is on a Sunday, my branch will be organising our annual wreath laying event on the Friday before (Friday 26 April at 1pm) outside the "Clasping Hands" Statue in Three Mills Green, Stratford, E3 3DU. This is the site of a historic "accident" where a number of workers sacrificed their lives while attempting to rescue their colleagues. Members and Staff Safety officers from local Housing Associations are expected but all welcome to pay their respects. Guest speakers invited. (In local park next to historic mills and canel. Near Bromley by Bow tube, buses ..read more

"On behalf of the Labour Party, I wish everyone a happy St George’s Day. Let us be proud of our national identity, confident on the world stage, and sure of our country’s future". Keir Starmer ..read more

  Ballot papers are being sent out to members homes from today. If you are a UNISON member and work in London HE please consider voting for Josie Mangan-Murphy Sue Parkin ..read more

  Ballot papers are being sent out to members homes from today. If you are a UNISON member and work in London Local Government please consider voting for Sean Fox - general seat Sonya Howard - female seat Clara Mason - reserved seat ..read more

  Ballot papers are being sent out to members homes from today. If you are a UNISON member and work in London in Health please consider voting for Chris Akaluka - general seat Julie Cunnane - female seat Paula Ward - reserved seat ..read more

  Yesterday, I had my Councillor surgery (ASB/\neighbour dispute/Overcrowding) and today I joined by Cllr colleague John Whitworth and new party member, Janet, for a street surgery/canvass in our ward.  Janet has been a Labour supporter for many years but she recently joined the Party, because she wants to to do something to get rid of this appalling Conservative Government. Janet had never been canvassing before and she didn't feel confident knocking on doors, so she was here today to see what it was like and she would deliver leaflets.  The canvass went really well with 68 co ..read more

Hat tip TUC. Good stuff ..read more

Next week most UNISON members will be sent ballot papers for our Service Group Executive (SGE) elections.  Not all, since some seats were uncontested.  Now, UNISON is the largest union in the UK, with around 1.3 million members in thousands of different public service employers, so our democratic processes are going to be just a little complex.  But at the risk of oversimplifying things, I will describe the Service Group Elections (SGE) starting next week, as being UNISON members being given the opportunity to decide, who do they want running their part of UNISON?  Who do ..read more

Hat tip UNISON, Pension Age and BBC Amazing and massive payout. Well done to everyone involved. I understand that the £385 million settlement is not just for the Norfolk Fund but not sure what they will get? I have 30 years of pensionable service in the Norfolk Scheme as an admitted body member (long story why). While members of the Norfolk scheme should not expect a pay out (also I do not know if Apple or anyone else are contesting this payment? It would appear not).  The Norfolk scheme is a near £5 billion fund with over 100,000 members. However, the money should help with funding for ..read more

"UNISON’s legal case makes clear employers must not discipline staff for striking" JG This is great news for all trade unionists and civil liberties. This morning I was at a meeting of the UNISON NEC in our head office in London. Our General Secretary, Christina McAnea had just started her report to us when she announced she had just been handed a note about this mornings Supreme Court Judgement. Well done to Community member, Fiona Mercer (centre) as well as the UNISON members, staff and legal officers who had spent the last 5 years fighting this injustice.  "Judges have told employers ..read more