John's Labour blog

One Barnet UNISON Strike Action 9 Feb 2012

2012-01-27T08:26:00.000Z

Barnet UNISON are balloting for a further round of strike action to prevent the wholesale privatisation of Council services in their borough. Send the branch messages of support via the website
www.barnetunison.me.uk. During previous strike action when members of the branch finished their picket line duties they went off to volunteer and work unpaid on various local Barnet community projects for the rest of the day.

"Britain & Europe: Which way for Labour?" Newham Compass & Fabians

2012-01-26T22:38:00.001Z

A rather topical debate on "Britain and Europe: Which way for Labour?" will take place 7.30pm on 21st February at the West Ham Supporters' Club (the football club not the Labour Party! NewhamTrades Council also use to meet here). Organised by the local branches of Newham Compass and the Fabians.

I've not heard Jon Cruddas MP speak about Europe before and no doubt he will have some interesting perspectives. While Anita Pollack lives in Newham and was the MEP for London South West from 1989 to 1999. She wrote the excellent book "Wreckers or Builders: A History of Labour MEPs 1979 to 1999" which one day I
will try and do justice to in a review.

Yesterday at the UNISON NEC Policy Committee we had a good presentation and debate on Europe. The irony of ironies is that the Prime Minster, David Cameron, for short term political advantage "veto's" (sort of) an agreement on saving the Euro solely to appease his own anti-Europe fanatics. When in fact the actual measures he opposed for Europe are pretty much the same hard line slash and burn budgetary cuts being pursued at home.

A Man's a Man for A' That

2012-01-25T23:09:00.000Z

Tonight (January 25) is the anniversary of the birth of Scottish Baird, Rabbie Burns and is the traditional time to mark his life with poetry, haggis and a glass (or three) of whisky. However, like many people I will be celebrating his life over the weekend. My Father was born and bred in Scotland and he loved to read Burns and recite out loud. While I must admit to being at times somewhat linguistically challenged at some of the poetry, I don't think anyone with any social conscious cannot fail to be moved at the simple beauty and meaning of his language in A Man's a Man for A'That and not understand its message of liberty, equality and universal human rights.

(It helps of course if you have a 18th Century Scots/ 21st Century English dictionary)

Hat tip "The Macalmans" check Youtube version for some "Notes for the Sasunnach and other strange folks" i.e dictionary of some of the more unusual words.

London Marathon 2012 Wk 13: In Dublin's fair city

2012-01-24T07:47:00.000Z

Recovered quite well last week from the 14 mile run the previous Saturday. Run of this week was a early morning 40 minute jog around Dublin City centre. I was in Dublin to help make a pensions presentation to the NEC of the IBOA (the Irish Finance workers union) The previous evening their lay officials had taken us out for a few Guinesses (I can vouch that it does taste better across the water).

To my surprise the next morning I did have just a little bit of a hangover. I had been assured by my hosts that the delicious herbal chasers that accompanied the Guiness were purely medicinal and designed to smooth the stomach and clear the head. They were called Bushmills or something
like that? Very nice.

I firstly jogged around St Stephens Green which is a perfect City centre park full of history. Then under Fusilier's Arch and down Grafton Street. At bottom is entrance to Trinity College where I did a quick circuit around the lawns. Along O'Connell Street and across the bridge to the famous General Post Office which was the head quarters of the rebels during the Easter Uprising 1916. There you can indeed still see what appears to be bullet marks on the outside columns.

Back across the river by a different bridge then to the hotel via side streets only getting lost once or twice.

I am running the London marathon in April 2012 using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me.

TELL KEN: Didsbury Centre, East Ham Mon 30th Jan

2012-01-23T21:56:00.001Z

Next Monday January 30th Labour candidate for London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, will be spending the day in Newham campaigning. In the evening 7pm to 8.30pm there will be a "TELL KEN" event at the Didsbury Centre, 2 Didsbury Close, East Ham, E6 2SX (5 minutes walk away from East Ham Town Hall). This is sponsored by Greater London UNISON Labour Link.

Further good news today about Ken's campaign. Another
opinion poll has put him (narrowly) into the lead. "

Tessa Jowell said today, “This poll shows that Boris Johnson is increasingly out of touch with Londoners facing a squeeze in their living standards. They know that under Boris Johnson, fares have gone up; violent crime including knife crime and robbery are rising while the numbers of police keeping Londoners safe are being cut. Ken will put Londoners first by cutting bus, tube and train fares and making the streets safer by protecting police services.

Wipe the National Debt Slate Clean: One-off International Wealth Tax to Save the World?

2012-01-23T18:06:00.000Z

Recently I went to a "Chatham House" style briefing where a respected financial figure gave their view on the world economic outlook. It was pretty grim to say the least. The speaker argued that we are basically stuffed and leverage (debt) is the key worldwide problem facing both the private and public sector. We all face years and years of recession and cuts in our national income (GDP) before this debt is paid off. All in all a pretty dire doom and gloom prediction.

The speaker was less forthcoming about possible solutions but did mention a recent study in Boston had recommended that there could be a one off international wealth tax which could be be used to pay off and resolve the debt crisis at a single stroke. I was the only one at that meeting to openly express a view that this seemed a "good idea".

There was the counter argument that you could never get the wealthy to agree to such a measure, they have too powerful economic and political domestics interests to allow such a tax to be considered and that there would be a "flight of capital" from any country or continent that would want to adopt such a measure. I was not convinced.

When I got home I searched for this study. I found the original report by the Boston Consultancy Group (BSG) from September 2011. The BCG is a leading world wide management consultancy firms, who are not at all a "leftie" organisation. Check out their solution. In ancient times debt use to be wiped clean on special occasions. So why not now?

To pay for this wipe out of debt they propose a "one-time wealth tax" on financial assets and other taxes on property. Only for those with assets above 100,000 euros.

I also think that the wealthy have enjoyed in recent years unprecedented growth in their share of national income and the value of their investments. So they will still be ahead even if they did have to take a substantial "haircut". Remember, if we don't deal with this debt mountain and we face the armageddon of decades of depression, then surely it is in the interests of the wealthy that they pay this one off tax to preserve the long term value of their remaining capital?

I also think that people underestimate the ability of liberal western democracies to take drastic action when they are up against the wall. If their economic survival is at stake then you can rule nothing out.

The first successful modern day capitalist revolution had its roots in Boston in the 18th Century. Who knows, the next one may have already started in Boston in the 21st Century.

Chartered Institute Housing Election 2012

2012-01-22T21:36:00.000Z

I've just taken part in the first ever election for the Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH). You get a email with a unique security code and you cast your vote on-line at the independent Electoral Reform
Services website.

The Vice President will become the President of the CIH next year. It's a bit suspect that this is the first ever openly contested election at the CIO but better late than never I suppose. I posted here that I know one of the candidates, Jan Taranczuk, quite well (his wife Kathy use to be my Tower Hamlets Local Housing office boss for many years). I don't know his opponent, Paul Tennant, who is the CEO of Orbit Housing Association.

If you are a member of the CIH you have until 30 January to vote. You can see their election statements here. There is an online husting tomorrow 12pm on the Guardian Housing Network blog. This afternoon on the Inside Housing site here there is a online poll (see picture right: double click to bring up detail) and both Jan and Paul were running neck and neck at 50%.

Sometimes Two 'Eds aren't better than one!

2012-01-21T21:08:00.000Z

I’ve had a comment wondering why I haven’t posted on the two Eds' recent pronouncements on cuts to spending and public sector pay.

I was thinking of writing something but I thought I will calm down a bit before doing so. Ironically I remember listening to a speech by Ed Miliband himself reflecting on the last Labour government. He remarked how sometimes he would be listening to the radio in the morning and hear for the first time a new government announcement and he would say to himself “why on earth did we say that”? I had a very similar feeling listening to reports of Ed Balls speech last Saturday on my headphones while out on a long run. Why on earth did he say that?

At best this is similar to the 1997 Labour manifesto to keep to Tory government spending limits during the first (two) years. At worse it seems just a complete back track on any alternative economic policy.

I can get the argument that any opposition party cannot commit to all cuts being reversed. I understand that you cannot predict exactly what state the economy will be in 2015. But to give the impression that there will be no rebalancing of budget cuts and taxation is simply daft. Equally why would an opposition Party want to agree with the Government on such profound and controversial issues? That is not their job? They are ...The Official Opposition. They are there to hold the government and its policies to account. While I don't expect yah boo politics and pointless oppositionalism. There is an alternative economic case to be made. I agree that we are not winning this argument at the moment but I genuinely think that the Party is in danger of missing the boat. The economic crisis will deepen and so many people will be so adversely affected by both unemployment and cuts to services and pay that there will be a political mood change for a fairer and more progressive society.

Finally, I simply don’t believe that a Labour government in power will do this and I also don’t think that the public will believe it either. So it is in my view pointless guff which has done nothing but to genuinely upset many Labour Party supporters and our core vote. I was pleased to hear today (while on another run) Margaret Beckett ring in to "Any Answers" and indicate that the whole matter had in deed been some sort of a presentational cock-up.

Being in Opposition is a pretty awful and frustrating job. Everyone in the Labour movement is absolutely desperate to do every thing possible to get rid of this government. But on this particular issue the Party leadership has got it wrong. These things happen from time to time. What really matters now is that the Two 'Eds stop digging holes and start building for change.

Check out UNISON response here.

Virgin Media Rubbish Service Update: Branson Brand did Cut off my Phone line for complaining!

2012-01-20T21:27:00.000Z

Quick update on the latest old nonsense from probably the most badly run and vindictive private monopoly in the land.

I tried to cancel my subscription on Jan 3rd to Virgin Media following the nasty and despicable
attack by their brand owner and chief private shareholder, Richard Branson, on trade unions.

It ended up with me being shouted and threatened by one of their managers and my telephone line being immediately cut off. I made a complaint which I finally (despite two chase ups) got a response on Tuesday by email. They completely ignored pretty much all my points and told me that my service will be totally disconnected on 3 February and that I would be charged £144.

They also told me to ring a repair helpline to report my phone being out of order. Which I did today with a mobile. After the usual long wait and millions of menus and pressing alphabet keys on your telephone which they did not recognise, I finally got to their faults helpline. They informed me that there was a billing problem and that was why my phone was cut off so they transferred me to customer service. I treid to point out that I didn’t think this was the case since my other services were working normally (for Virgin). The customer services operative was very helpful but she could not explain why I was cut off since my account was up-to-date. Eventually (20 minutes wait) it was agreed they would transfer me back to repairs. Repairs could not understand why I had been cut off by them but said it was some sort of a “mistake”. After another 20 minutes they agreed to restore my telephone service in “2-24 hours”. I am pleased to say that 4 hours later it is now working.

It is quite clear that my phone was cut off maliciously for over 2 weeks purely because I treid to cancel my service and they are now intending to totally disconnect my service (without my agreement) and charge me £144. Needless to say I will continue complaining. Many thanks to everyone who have contacted me to share the awful experiences they have had with Virgin Media and suggestions on what to do next.

Elder Abuse: sign the UNISON e-petition and pass the link on

2012-01-19T23:03:00.001Z

Check out and please support this petition calling for a Parliamentary debate on Elder Abuse. They need to get 100,000 supporters.

"This petition has come from the Retired Members of UNISON, but you don't have to be a trade unionist to sign it. It affects everyone and is non-political. The law regarding elderly vulnerable people needs changing for you, and for your family:-

• Due to mental/physical incapacity many older people are as vulnerable as a baby. There would be public outcry if politicians opposed legislation for
care of children as hard as they oppose legislation for care for the elderly.

• There are specific laws protecting children, animals and domestic violence, but only regular laws to protect the Elderly

• We are calling for the introduction of Elderly Abuse Protection Legislation as a matter of urgency.

• As with child abuse, and racial or homophobic hate crimes, incidents of neglect and ill treatment that specifically targets an older person should be a specific criminal offence with additional penalties.

JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN. Sign this petition

Ken in the lead for London Mayor (just)

2012-01-19T21:13:00.005Z

Good news that YouGov opinion polls have Labour Candidate, Ken Livingstone in the lead . Only just (39% Ken and 37% Boris) but it seems that Londoners are beginning to get fed up with "out of touch" Old Etonian Millionaire, Boris Johnson and the Labour Fair Fares campaign is also making an impression on hard pressed commuters.

On Saturday 28th January, to mark 100 days to go, there is 100 campaign events in one day across London (see video).

Check out Red Brick on role that the housing crisis in London has helped bring about this change.

Dirty Unilever

2012-01-18T23:18:00.002Z

“Unilever – not as clean as it claims” reveals how the world’s third largest consumer products company pays its CEO Paul Polman 285 times more than the average worker yet is forcing through plans that will see UK workers’ pensions fall by between 20 and 40 per cent. Unite says this is a continuation of a global strategy which has seen the company cut jobs and pursue ruthless outsourcing in order to generate wealth for its executives at the expense of the workforce.

Unite is urging viewers to send a simple message to CEO Paul Polman, which is “it is time for you to talk.

On Wednesday January 18th workers will begin a programme of 11 days of strike action right across the UK operation, hitting production of leading brands from Pot Noodle to Marmite, Persil to Dove. The workers are furious that the company is planning to ditch their final salary pension scheme despite earlier assurance to the workforce that it would be retained and the company’s point-blank refusal to discuss alternatives with the workers’ unions".

AMNT Presentation to Irish Banking Trade Association

2012-01-18T21:42:00.000Z

Yesterday, during a visit to their headquarters in Dublin, Janice Turner, the Joint Chair of the Association of Member Nominated Trustees (AMNT) and I gave a 45 minute presentation to the Irish Bank Officials Association (IBOA) National Executive Committee.

The IBOA represents 22,000 finance workers in the Republic and Northern Ireland. It has has been very supportive of the AMNT and its lay pension trustees NEC have played a key role in our growth. Their members are in Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) pensions schemes.

Being finance workers they are acutely aware of the value of pensions and the threats that all their schemes currently face. The employer pension "promise" and "covenant" is under attack. For example the UK regulated Banks suffer from unnecessary and damaging accounting standards while in the Republic there is also no equivalent of the Pension Protection Fund (PPF). This needs to be challenged.

I think that the IBOA committee members and officers appreciate that the AMNT is the only organisation that is run solely by member nominated pension trustees who want to not only defend and promote DB but also want to improve all DC schemes as well.

At some point in the future it would make sense to try and organise local pension training and briefings by the AMNT outside London.

Many thanks to the IBOA for the warm welcome and hospitality they showed to us during our visit.

Labour Party NEC elections: Joanne Milligan

2012-01-17T23:20:00.000Z

Joanne is standing for the Labour Party National Executive Committee (NEC). Click here for a copy of her request for nominations. CLP's have until the 30 March 2012 to make nominations.

Party members will receive ballot papers in June.

Joanne is the type of Labour Party member who you will bump into campaigning in various by elections in the midst of winter and Chairing effectively those difficult regional and national meetings where some folk prefer the traditional Party bunfight rather than reasoned debate.

In September 2010 I posted here on Joanne's (successful) attempt to be elected to the Labour Party National Policy Forum. This post is the second highest page view "hit" ever on this blog (google stats).

London Marathon 2012 Wk 12: To Warren pond and back

2012-01-16T07:47:00.001Z

According to the training programme I had to either enter a half marathon race or run 13 miles as fast as I can. I couldn't find a race this weekend so decided to make my own run. The 15 mile Epping Forest Centenary Walk starts nearby to where I live. Warren pond is about half way. So I thought I would run there and back. I had a running backpack with extra juice, clothing, phone and money. I started off after I finished my Council Surgery. The weather was

fantastic. Blue skies and winter sunshine.

I still got lost in a couple of times in Leyton flats. But managed to find my way to the reservoir and across the foot bridge over the North Circular. Then shortly after the Rodney "Gipsy" Smith memorial I got lost again and ended up in Woodford Green. I managed eventually to get back on track and reached Warren pond (see picture) which is right next to Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge where I started last week's run. By coincidence there was a cross country run taking place organised by the local running club Orion Harriers. I turned back home towards Forest Gate. I got lost again in Hatch Grove and came to a complete halt and had to backtrack. Eventually finding Highams Park lake and getting back on track. I got lost for the last time after the reservoir.

After running along the A104 for a while I managed to cross the road and find a path back to the Centenary Walk. At around this point I was running on empty. My legs stopped doing what I wanted them to do and every step was pretty sore and painful. I remembered why I hadn't done a marathon since 2002. I slowed right down to a very simple jog and managed to get myself home. There and back took about 2 hours 50 minutes. I got lost a couple of times which did not help. I did a 10 minutes walk/job/stretch in the beginning and at the end a 10 minute walk cool down. so I think that I did 14 odd miles cross country in about 2hrs: 30 minutes. Which is not great but not bad at this stage of the programme. After a quick shower and change I hobbled over to the West Ham Scouts to support their traditional Pensioner "Christmas" Dinner and Show.

I am running the London marathon in April using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me.

Virgin Media Complaint Update: Big Fat Zero

2012-01-15T21:59:00.001Z

I made a complaint here on 4 January about anti-trade union boss Richard Branson and the treatment that you receive when you try and cancel your Virgin Media Contract. Following which Virgin Media apparently decided to cut off my land line to punish me for daring to make a complaint. I made a further complaint here but once again, I have had no contact at all with Virgin Media. They are of course ignoring their own complaint procedure. But no surprise there. My phone is still not working.

I've just made a third complaint and have given them 72 hours to respond or I will make a report to the regulator. Not that they are at all bothered about this since the regulator is I understand pretty toothless.

I've had a quick look around Youtube and this clip by the CWU about Virgin Media plans to close its Liverpool office is one of the very few about Branson and Virgin Media that is not so rude as to contravene the Public Order Act. Sign the CWU petition against offshoring jobs here.

AMNT Pension Week article on Governance & the LGPS

2012-01-14T20:06:00.000Z

I wrote this article on behalf of the Association of Member Nominated Trustees (AMNT) last month which was published in Pensions Week.

I tried to answer the following question. "I have just been elected as a trade union employee representative on my local government pension scheme. What should I do next?".

Quick plug for the next open meeting of the AMNT on 23 February 2012. One of our speakers is Con Keating. Who is one of the leading proponents of Defined Benefit (DB) Pensions Schemes. To attend this event join the AMNT here.

(NB I am Chair of the AMNT DB working group not the AMNT as stated in the Pension Week article)

Carlsberg Beer Strike banned: Production "essential service"... (Probably)

2012-01-13T18:29:00.000Z

I've just sent a protest email to the President of the Republic of Lithuania, their Prime Minister and

the CEO of the Carlsberg brewery in Lithuania.

The Lithuanian Courts have apparently "banned" a strike by Carlsberg brewery workers on the
grounds that beer production is an "essential public service". The strike was against the 3rd year of a pay freeze.

This is not only plain silly but a clear infringement of International Labour Law. The Union has made a complaint to the ILO. Carlsberg, the 4th biggest brewery in the world, is in danger of becoming a laughing stock and destroying their international brand name. Click here for further details and to send your own email protest.

120th anniversary of the election of Keir Hardie as Independent Labour MP for West Ham South

2012-01-12T22:44:00.000Z

In July 1892 Scottish trade union leader J Keir Hardie became the first Independent Labour MP when he was elected for West Ham South. He defeated the sitting Conservative candidate by 5,268 votes to 4,036. Following his election he made a speech to supporters from the outside balcony of the Old Town Hall in Stratford. Today you can walk past this spot on Stratford High Street.

At the West Ham ward meeting last week the following motion was passed unanimously:-

“WestHam Labour Party branch propose that the 120^th anniversary of theelection of Keir Hardie as Independent Labour MP for West Ham South bemarked in some way in Stratford Town Hall ”. This was noted at West Ham Executive Council last night and will go to the local Party General Council on the 26th.

This anniversary will also take place just before the London Olympics 2012 begins in Stratford. We will see if we can possibly link both events. In the meanwhile I asked the social media Labour Movement historian Captain Swing (who had reminded me of the anniversary) if he had any ideas how we can mark the occasion. He suggested (amongst many things) that we hold a local Labour Party seminar to discuss what Keir Hardie can teach us today (and to dye the Thames Red!). Hat tip picture Captain Swing.

Vinnie Jones' hard and fast Hands-only CPR

2012-01-11T23:47:00.002Z

I saw this TV advert from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) featuring Vinnie Jones a few days ago and thought it was simply great. I have been trained in first aid off and on since I was a kid. I'm currently a designated workplace first aider. During the actual training I come away feeling fairly confident about carrying out CPR for suspected heart attacks. Yet as time goes on I get less and less sure, that in an emergency, I would remember the exact sequence of mouth to mouth resuscitation and chest compressions. If I feel this, you can understand why members of the public, who have never been trained, often panic and don't do nothing when they come across someone dying of a cardiac arrest. What the BHT and Vinnie "explain" is just get on and do "Hands-only CPR" in time to the music (ironically) of "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees. It can make a dramatic difference in survival rates if CPR is given promptly. Time is of the essence.

There is a serious side to this. I will declare that my father died of a heart attack in the street of a small town while he was on a long distance walk. The family know that a Police Officer did attend and tried CPR which eventually failed. What we don't know exactly is how long it took for officer to arrive and whether if a passerby had tried "hand-only CPR" earlier there might have been a different outcome.

Beware: Pickpocket Operating on Public Transport

2012-01-10T22:30:00.000Z

hat tip thingy: Ken for London

UNISON Pensions decision: jaw-jaw better than war-war (for now)

2012-01-10T19:38:00.002Z

In a victory for common sense UNISON elected lay reps have voted to continue with negotiations

over Local Government and NHS pensions.

This morning there was a two hour Pension Summit with 250 senior lay reps present were it was clear that an overwhelming majority of branches, up and down the country, wanted negotiations to continue. While reserving the right to call further action if these talks break down. Their was near unanimous agreement that there had been a significant improvement in the offer over pensions and that we had a duty to talk not walk.

Next there were separate detailed briefings on the Local Government and NHS pension schemes after which the different Service Group Executive's (SGE) met and debated on what to do next. I am really pleased that all the SGE's voted to talk further.

One sour point in an otherwise positive and constructive day is that it is clear that certain "individuals" outside the union have been telling completely despicable lies about UNISON and trying to interfere in our internal democratic process. Now while I can respect the opinion of those who genuinely feel that UNISON have made a wrong call. This is the decision of our democratically elected representatives. What many UNISON reps will not tolerate is unrepresentative, ultra left sects playing out their toy town revolutionary fantasies at our expense. We will not do what we are told to do and think by rule or ruin wreckers and splitters.

London Marathon Training Wk 11: Epping Forest

2012-01-09T22:42:00.002Z

I've started getting back into the training programme after crimbo and New Year. My achilles seems better but still no interval sprints. I'm using energy sport drinks for distances that take longer than 30 minutes and I think that they do help a little.

The run of the week was in Epping Forest. It started at the car park opposite the Butlers Retreat cafe (currently being refurbished) in Rangers Road, across Chingford plains and around Connaught Waters (see picture). Then an anti-clock wise circular route through the forest following various random paths that happen to take my fancy. Coming out of Bury wood into Chingford plains again and ending back at Butlers retreat. It took around 75 minutes and was a enjoyable but muddy run through some gorgeous scenery.

Next to Butlers retreat there is the 16th Century Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge. I once (for a very short time) had a telesales job in the stables next door. It was a complete and utter con job. If you ever get an unsolicitored letter or postcard in the post telling you to ring a number since you have won a prize - don't.

I am running the London marathon in April using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me.

More photo's from run on Facebook here.

Nelson ILP Clarion House Centenary Celebrations 1912 - 2012

2012-01-09T18:21:00.000Z

"The Clarion House was built to be a non-profit making co-operative with any excess money to be used in spreading the word of socialism.

This was no accident, no coincidence. It was planned in the hope that others would take it as a model of how society as a whole ought to be organised.

Visitors could come and witness how people - lots of people - were prepared to devote their lives to the Clarion movement for no personal gain, other than the knowledge that they would leave the world a better place than when they entered it.

The Clarion is a vision of the future, a vision of a socialist society, a commonwealth, based on co-operation and fellowship, not conflict and material greed...." (click to see more - hat-tip Captain Swing)

Public Pensions dispute: do we talk or walk?

2012-01-08T20:53:00.000Z

Next week I will be attending a national UNISON briefing on the pensions dispute which will be followed by a meeting of those Service Group Executives (SGE) who have members in the Local Government and NHS pensions schemes.

The SGE’s is made up solely of elected lay members. I sit on the Community & Voluntary SGE and we will be debating and making a decision on whether to support the framework agreement on resolving the pensions dispute. I posted here my initial views on the agreement. Whilst I look forward to the briefing and the debate, the more I think about it, the more convinced I am, that we have to see this through. We need to carry on talking and not walk out of negotiations at this point.

Calling for walkouts is one thing but actually getting people out on strike nowadays is very, very difficult. First and foremost you have to convince members that this strike action is an absolute last resort. When all other attempts and means to negotiate have been exhausted. We were able to demonstrate this was the case for the November 30 strike. Members know that there has been concessions made and will expect us to try our best to put together a deal before being called out again.

We also need to raise our game. The strike on November 30 was a great success but in many ways we punched above our weight. We now know where we were strong and were we were not. We need to build upon our strengths and organise in those areas where we simply don’t have the membership density or steward structure to deliver.

Some unions appear to have rejected talking further and want to plough on with further strike action. If that is their decision then fair enough that is their choice, I for one will not interfere with their internal democratic decision making process. I do wish that others would do the same with UNISON! While I accept that some may argue tactically that the talks will not result in an acceptable offer and instead we should organise more strikes. I do not accept for a moment that to keep “Unity” we must refuse to negotiate until we get an offer that all 27 different trade unions in all their different pension schemes find acceptable. This is just nonsense.

The real threat to “Unity” will come if the unions start arguing amongst themselves with the loud mouths braying their “betrayal politics” mantra. The gains and real improvements that have been already won through the decision to strike and the ballot will be forgotten. Such division would only benefit this Tory led coalition. Pensions is not the only dispute that we are going to have to fight in the next 3 long years.

In my previous post I pointed out that some commentators are in danger of cutting off their nose to spite their face. I also think there is a risk that some in TIGMOO would rather indulge in sectarian infighting and point scoring, rather than carry out the hard work of recruiting members and stewards. Now, I am of course, a well known wallflower, who would not dream of indulging in polemic arguments with anyone.. but I would honestly rather be fighting the Tories and not other trade unionists.

However, I can’t resist this story. I met someone recently who told me how he had been hounded out of one of the ultra left sects because of the “crime of pessimism”. He was formally denounced for raising concerns about its support for a particular industrial dispute. As an experienced trade union activist he was surprised that his concerns were ignored because it did not fit the Party line. He was ordered to either repent his “pessimism” or face expulsion. In this case he didn’t talk he walked and left the sect before he was expelled. Needless to say that dispute ended in yet another glorious defeat...

Bella Ciao Syria

2012-01-07T16:34:00.001Z

On Thursday I went to my Labour Party ward meeting. Afterwards I was speaking to a longstanding member who I hadn't realised was originally from Syria. He spoke about his distress about the massacres and slaughter that is happening in his homeland. Every day he receives emails and graphic videos with shocking images and news. At my request he sent me information and a link to a Google News Group on Syria.

I clicked on its Youtube links and was pretty horrified at what I saw. Dozens of different amateur videos showing countless people being shot, dying and dead in large pools of blood. Crying relatives and friends risking their own lives to pick up up bodies and the wounded being shot at themselves. Shaky Pictures of unidentified gunmen with telescopic rifles on the roof tops of tower blocks. Tanks firing at crowds of fleeing and unarmed civilians. Warning: this link is very, very graphic. Mainstream media just cannot show these pictures. Simply and utterly dreadful. Words (for once) fail me.

Hat-tip for Youtube video above to TheTollundWoman (not graphic)

Virgin Media Sticky Fingers

2012-01-05T23:52:00.000Z

Following Richard Branson’s ignorant attacks on trades unions I have been trying to cancel my cable service with Virgin Media without much success. So far I have been told various complete and utter porkies, threatened with a £141 charge, been shouted at and then my Virgin landline goes mysteriously dead.

The story so far is on Tuesday after various doomed attempts to cancel online (you can’t), I rang Virgin Media to find out how to stop my account. After the normal 15 minute wait and going through various menus and being cut off twice. I was finally connected to an operator who asked why I wanted to leave. I told him that Richard Branson had made a very anti-trade union video for Virgin America and as lifelong trade unionist I want nothing to do with him or any company associated with him. I was told firstly that Branson had nothing anymore to do with Virgin Media (He does, he owns the Virgin "Brand", I think 9% of shares and is their biggest single private investor). It was then claimed that Branson owns shares in BBC so will I boycott them? I said that he doesn’t have shares in the BBC, it is public broadcaster and was told again yes he did. I was also told that I either had to give 6 months notice or pay £141 to leave. When I said that this was unfair it ended up with me being shouted at! Then the following morning I found that my Virgin landline is suddenly not working.

I have been a customer of Virgin Media (and the previous cable companies they bought) for 15 years. I pay £70 per month. At times this has been a pretty miserable experience but this is really the pits. I have also worked in front line customer services organisation for over 20 years and have never come across such an appalling service or attitude.

I have made an official complaint about Branson and his remarks; about their so called “contracts”; the lack of supervision and training given to staff; called for the Virgin Cable monopoly to be broken up and for greater regulation and also that my phone is fixed. Needless to say some 48 hours later nothing has been done. I’ll post on future developments.

Employment Law Prospects 2012: Workers are going to be stuffed

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000Z

This is from the newsletter published yesterday by Employment Law Barrister Daniel Barnett:-

"Expected Developments in Employment law" 2012 (my comments in italics)

"31 January
closure date for calls for evidence on the effectiveness of TUPE and the scope of the collective redundancy rules - may result in a formal consultation later in the year (TUPE protection will be brought down to the absolute minimum and you could be made redundant in just 30 days)

1 February
new tribunal award limits come into force (Good but still inadequate)

6 March
consultation closes on fees in tribunals and the EAT (It could cost you around £1750 to go to an employment tribunal - far more if you want to appeal)

April
expected that qualifying period for unfair dismissal will increase to 2 years · various tribunal reforms to take effect, e.g. increase in deposit orders and costs awards (bad)· unpaid parental leave to increase to 4 months · working time rules to be amended to allow holiday to be carried forward in limited circumstances · maternity/paternity/adoption pay increases · SSP increases (you could be sacked for no good reason after 1 year 11 months and you will have no effective legal remedy)

October
pensions auto-enrolment begins for larger employers (Good) · national minimum wage may increase, depending on what the Low Pay Commission recommends in February (wait and see)

Developments with no confirmed date but likely to be progressed in 2012
penalties for employers who breach of employment rights (Good but expect wrist slap)· early compulsory ACAS conciliation of all tribunal claims (possibly good) · amendment of whistleblowing rules so that disclosures about breaches of employment contracts are no longer covered (Bad) · compromise agreements to be simplified (possibly good) · consultation on 'protected conversations' between employers and staff about employment issues without risk of dispute (your employer could bully you out of your job legally without protection)· consultation on rapid resolution scheme as alternative to tribunal for low-value and straightforward disputes (Fixed penalty ticket justice?)

· Acas Disciplinary and Grievance Code to be 'looked at' with a view to a simpler dismissal process (nuf said?)

Do not expect the "law" to protect you at work. Time to join a union for collective protection and the Labour Party to get rid of this Government in 2015.

Life in Nahr-e-Saraj – Winter 2011

2012-01-04T21:58:00.000Z

"As most of us worry about a few extra pounds we put on over Christmas or sit here moaning about the football, many others will have far more serious things to worry about, debt, unemployment, poverty and then we also have those who are worried about their loved ones serving in Afghanistan.

To remind us of how these brave men and women were spending their Christmas, I attach an email that the Colonel of 5 Rifles ( a good friend and former colleague sent me yesterday)".... Click here Hat tip Alasdair Ross blog. Former British Army warrant officer and now a Labour Councillor in Ipswich.

London Marathon Training WK 10: Sleaford, Silk Willoughby & Scredington

2012-01-04T21:01:00.000Z

This week the official training programme went to pot. Istopped all sprint interval training due to fears about my left achillestender. I also went for a walkon Christmas Day and long walkon Boxing Day instead of running.

Run of the week was on New Year’s Day. The previous night I had been to anexcellent party in ScredingtonVillage Hall in Lincolnshire. A Roast beef dinner, desert and cheeses. All locally sourced fresh ingredientsorganised, cooked and served by members of the village hall committee followed by musicand fireworks. I had left the car there so I planned to incorporate the weeklylong run with picking it up (and getting rid of hangover).

My brother-in-law drew a map and I startedfrom their house in Holdingden, Sleaford (very near the site of a Anglo-Saxonsettlement). Across fields, and along first an old disused military railwayline from RAF Cranwell to Sleaford, past allotments then along a dry river bedwhich turned into the River Slea (Rauceby Banks). Through the town centre pastthe Handleymonument over the railway then to village of Silk Willoughby (seepicture of church and the early blossom on the tree in front. Spring is on its way!)

Past an enclosured with tiny very cute Shetland foals and thena long steady run past flat fields into Scredington. A bit too long (1 hour 45 minutes) and toomuch hard surfaces but I was pleased that my achilles held out. A lovely part of the world. See pictures from run on Facebook here.

I am running the London marathon next year using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me.

Stop the Rail and Bus Fare Rip Off

2012-01-03T21:12:00.001Z

This morning I was outside Plaistow Underground station handing leaflets out to commuters about the massive increases in London bus and rail fares by Tory Mayor, Boris Johnson. This is the 4th year of inflation busting rises. If you are on minimum wage you could spend a quarter of your income on

fares. If Ken Livingston is elected in May he has promised to save the average commuter £1000 over 4 years.

In Newham we had activists handing out leaflets outside nearly all our stations. While in London today there were thousands of Labour Party volunteers handing out information across hundreds of bus and rail stations across the capital.

The weather was pretty miserable, not that cold, but rainy and windy. One woman complained bitterly to me about the £5 extra a month she now had to pay while a man wanted to take leaflet to show his boss and ask for pay rise.

I'm starting to get a grip of the psychology of handing out leaflets outside stations. When a group of people come towards you from say a bus, if the first person takes a leaflet then most of the rest will also take one. But if the first few don't, then no-one in that group will tend to either.

Picture of top West Ham CLP activist Tahmina in action (yet again - she was also out tonight with Newham Young Labour outside Stratford station).

Welcome Back Big Bad Mikey :)

2012-01-02T23:23:00.000Z

Welcome back to Newham blogging Big Bad Mikey. I always knew that you could not leave me and close your blog. I am so sorry that Dud and Pete upset you so much and I am glad you have returned to the fold. I am sure that you will appreciate the above "You say goodbye and I say Hello" clip :)

Boxing Day Walk 2011: Aldbury, Ivinghoe Beacon and Ashridge

2012-01-02T21:30:00.000Z

Off message - but a superb Boxing day walk ( Number 21) in the Chilterns. An "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". 7 miles long orange

"Challenging Walk" but only 3.5 hrs long.

Aldbury, the starting point, is a chocolate box English village with thatched cottages, Olde worlde pubs, pond and punishment stock.

Ivinghoe Beacon (see picture right) is a spectacular (former iron age fort) hill
landmark overlooking the plains below.

Ashridge is a simple lovely forest estate and the walk that ends up at the Bridgewater monument. I have posted more photos on Facebook here.

Dinner for One: United Left New Year Meal

2012-01-01T23:00:00.001Z

The orginal Dinner for One.

Happy Hogmany and Blwyddyn Newydd Dda 2012

2011-12-31T19:28:00.003Z

It's 2012 already in Australia (see picture). Just wishing everyone (well nearly everyone) a Happy Hogmany and a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda 2012.

In particular I'm looking foreward to getting rid of Boris in May and the London (Newham) Olympics and Paralympics :)

"Bread and Roses" Strike Centennial

2011-12-30T10:18:00.001Z

Hat-tip to UNISONActive for their post on the Centennial anniversary next year of the "Bread and Roses" Textile Factory Strike in the United States. Check out this link for the AFL-CIO site and video. YouTube clip of the Boston Workmen's Circle A Besere Velt (A Better World) Yiddish Chorus. Which is quite apt. The lyrics and tune is quite unforgettable and even haunting.

Health and Safety Christmas Myths

2011-12-29T16:03:00.000Z

Check out the list of Christmas "myths" (or rather complete porkies and distortions) about health and safety. This "Top 10" list was compiled by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The same old (dare I say) chestnuts are here - such as children being banned from having snowball fights and carol singers being classified as a health and safety risk. This is indeed a load of old nonsense but this has nothing to do with safety regulations. Some organisations just use 'elf n' safety as an excuse. While many Tory politicians and their media just make things up about safety issues in order to make cheap political points.

If trivialising health and safety wasn't such a serious issue you would be amused by the attempt of the Daily Telegraph who covered the story here as some sort of attack on "health and safety killjoys" yet completely missing the point that the problem is not the safety regulations but myth making and grossly inaccurate reporting by...(amongst many others)... The Daily Telegraph. See their coverage here of Brownies being banned from carol singing. Never mind the rubbish put out by its political stable mate the Daily Mail.

Finally check out this piece of common sense written last year by IOSH Chair, Rob Strange.

Libel Reform and the Queen's Speech

2011-12-28T22:27:00.000Z

Last week the Libel Reform Campaign sent out a letter calling on its supporters to contact their MP to try and make sure that libel reform is included in the next Queen's speech. Various people who have been subject to the madness that is English Libel law signed the letter including Dave Osler and my good self. Double click screen print to bring up detail.

Please click on this link and send your MP a message.

"We are writing as people who have battled libel threats and actions to ask for your help to make sure reform of the laws gets into next year's Queen's Speech, which sets the legislative agenda for 2012.

People are still being threatened by a law that allows the rich and powerful to bully critics and shut down public debate. Libel reform needs urgent action. The campaign and all its supporters have worked hard to persuade the Ministry of Justice to draw up an effective defamation bill, but if it is not in the Queen's Speech in the spring, then libel reform will be delayed for at least another year, which will be a victory for those who want to silence honest criticism. We can't bear to let this opportunity slip away.

We know we will have to battle against those who want to delay or derail libel reform, and the best way to get our message across is to lobby MPs for support. Please help us by filling in the form to the right to send an email to your MP so they know that all we want for Christmas is the inclusion of libel reform in the Queen's Speech".

"Can pension funds shape the future of capitalism?"

2011-12-27T21:57:00.000Z

Catching up on things. Last month I went straight from the TUC Trustee Pension Conference to the Fair Pension's Guest Lecture at the House of Commons. This was the second presentation I had been to that day on "Capitalism and pensions". I was with a notoriously quiet and reserved UNISON colleague who is a Local Government Pension (LGPS) expert. The lecture was given by Professor Keith Ambachtsheer, Director of the Rotman Institute for Pension Management (left of picture).

He was introduced by John Cruddas MP who is the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Committee for Responsible Investment. The meeting was Chaired by Catherine Howarth of Fair Pensions.

You can read an account of his speech (and that of Mark Fawcett, Chief Investment Officer at NEST - right of picture) and the full text here. My take on Ambachtsheer is that he believes that Capitalism must be transformed by those who invest in pensions acting as active owners and demanding that capitalism is transformed into a sustainable and wealth creating model. Rather than mainly benefiting "agents" and being subject to their whims.

What I also found striking in his speech was that the traditional argument over pensions about which is best: Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution? Is the wrong question to ask. Instead you should be more concerned with Scale (size of fund), Governance, Investment belief and Fees. I asked a question about the Local Government Pensions Scheme (LGPS) which has around £140 billion in assets but is split into 101 different funds. Ambachtsheer thought this was just completely wrong to have so many small funds.

Afterwards we went to the St Stephens Tavern where we had some very "interesting" conversations about the future of the LGPS from across the political divide.

Christmas Day Walk 2011: Wanstead Flats and Wanstead Park

2011-12-27T13:48:00.000Z

Off message but it's Christmas! Panorama picture overlooking Ornamental Waters, Wanstead Park from bottom of "The Long Walk". This tree on the left has been leaning towards the lake for as long as I can remember. I've posted some more pics from this walk on Facebook here.

London Marathon Training 2012 Wk 9: Leyton Flats and Eagle Pond.

2011-12-26T21:30:00.000Z

Training went “okay” (except there were two sprint interval training sessions!) and there was the extra benefit of being able to run off all the Xmas Party hangovers.

Except I’m a little worried about my Achilles tendon in my left foot which is giving me a bit of gip. I’ve had a problem with this for the last couple of years which I had hoped was sorted.
I’ve got a stretching programme from a Physio and have just ordered a “wobble board”. Fingers crossed.

Long run of the week was for 75 minutes on Christmas Eve. After surviving the madness of the last minute food shop at Waitrose. I started off across Wanstead flats, then thru Bush Wood and into Leyton Flats. Past the Sir Alfred Hitchcock Hotel (he was born in Leytonstone - good bar but hit and miss food) and around Hollow Pond. Back past Eagle Pond and Snaresbrook Crown Court (Picture of Court and pond via BB ).

Back past Eagle Inn (18th Coaching Inn and apparently a watering hole of Winston Churchill when he was MP for Wanstead. Now a pretty naff Toby Carvery). Then thru Wanstead and then St Marys Church and the shelter that was used by a guard in the 1830’s to protect fresh graves in the churchyard from body snatchers. Then via the cricket ground and thru the empty golf course into Wanstead Park then Wanstead Flats then home (to collapse).

I am running the London marathon next year using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me.

Update: I've posted some more pics from run on Facebook here

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T00:25:00.000Z

<
Hat tip thingy Stroppybird.

A Christmas Carol 2011

2011-12-24T20:00:00.000Z

This is a modern day “A Christmas Carol” tale. Christmas this year must be looking pretty bleak for the 1000 carers and their families employed by Family Mosaic Housing Association. Their employer is trying to cut their wages by up to 35% in some cases. According to their own figures 242 carers will lose up to £2000 pa; 58 between £2000 and £4000 and 107 over £4000 pa.

Many of these carers are already relatively poorly paid. They work with the mentally ill and other vulnerable adults doing a demanding job that they love but which most people would run a mile away from doing themselves. A large number are single mums who rely on working weekends and shifts' allowances in order to raise their wages to a decent level to look after their kids.

While it seems that the Senior Management team at Family Mosaic are not going to suffer any cut in their pay: 25 of whom earn over £60,000 pa, while 4 earn over £100,000 a year. Its Chief Executive, Brendan Sarfield, on £172,000 pa is also safe. Family Mosaic made a surplus of £34 million pounds last year.

Yesterday morning in my Councillor’s post I received a glossy magazine (Winter 2011) from Family Mosaic wishing me “A very Happy Christmas and New Year”. There was also a letter from the CEO saying how wonderful his organisation is doing. In the magazine there was no mention whatsoever about the cuts to carers' pay and conditions. Nor that staff are balloting for strike action. With no apparent sense of irony, Mr Sarfield in an editorial criticised others for not facing up to “Challenging” issues!

Is it not too late for the modern day equivalent of Jacob Marley to pay a visit to Mr Sarfield to remind him about the real meaning of Christmas? Or will he continue to say to his staff facing desperate financial straits "I'm alright Jack" and “Bah, Humbug!”.

Virgin Scumbag Brand: My New Year's Resolution 2012

2011-12-23T22:24:00.001Z

I have finally had it with Branson and the Virgin brand. Check out the Left Foot Forward exposure of Richard Branson the Union buster.

He fronts a video to Virgin America Airline staff telling them not to vote to recognise a trade union.

Trade Union recognition is a basic human right and any decent employer should welcome unions with open arms.

I’ve moaned on this blog about the rubbish customer service I have received from Virgin Media but I have been too disorganised to do much about it. Now enough is enough.

I will change my TV and Broadband supplier as soon as I can and will never use Virgin holidays or finance ever again. I will also display some suitable message while running the London Marathon next year but I would recommend that everyone leaves and boycotts any service associated with this completely vile individual.

Labour, Trade unions, SPGB, the Anarchist President, Bill, Dave and John

2011-12-22T22:46:00.000Z

Last month I took part in a debate organised by the Socialist Party (Great Britain) on "Should trade unionists support the Labour Party?" They did record the event and I was hoping to link to it, but it seems that there was some technical problem. Which was a shame since I thought it was actually quite a good debate. Bill Martin from the SPGB (a UNISON activist) spoke against the motion. He also chaired the meeting and was at all times polite and courteous.

There was of course a completely wide gulf between us. The SPGB is a Marxist, anti-capitalist, revolutionary Party. Readers of this blog might possibly have noticed that I am not. They are also "anti-Leninist" and "anti-Stalinist" and were completely dismissive of various Trotsky newspaper sellers (I make no comment). There was only 15 people present (including the anarchist President of the NUJ)

I argued that "my kind of socialism is one politically based on parliamentary democracy, and economically, a true mixed and balanced economy of publicly owned services, mutually and privately owned enterprises, all properly regulated, subject to democrat scrutiny, the law and a truly progressive tax system. While socially a successful Socialist Society must be one that is equal and free. Open, tolerant, and most importantly, supportive of dissenting views".

I mentioned my family background and The Spirit Level. In my view trade unionists should not only support the Labour Party, but take an active part in the Party arguing within for change. Bill made a number of points about the role and nature of trade unions and the argument that it is better for unions to be aliened to no particular political party.

I had a top Labour ringer with me, Dave Draycott. Dave is the Unite Branch secretary for Leeds City and also a Labour Party Councillor in Calderdale. It was the first time Dave and I had ever met up in person (rather via email or social media). In the Q&A that followed he made (in my view) a number of forceful and well made points. In particular the need for a true plurality in any socialist society to prevent the inevitable tendency to oppression, that you get in any society where any single political or economic belief is dominant.

Afterword we all went to the local pub and continued the debate. The SPGB have some interesting characters. One very forthright and vocal SPGB member had been brought up in a London working class family who "worshipped Mosley". Another, use to be the secretary to the National Coal Board Pension scheme. With my pension governance hat on we had an interesting conversation about "Arthur" and Cowan v Scargill. He had also enjoyed hugely this post.

Update: Bill (aka Deathy) has let me know that he is sure that the vocal recording of the debate did work and he will chase it being posted on their website.

CIH Presidental Elections 2012

2011-12-21T17:13:00.001Z

I've been an (inactive) member of the Chartered Institute of Housing for nearly 20 years and I don't recall there ever being an election for the top jobs?

This year there will be an election for the CIH Vice President between Jan Taranczuk and Paul Tennant. Under the CIH rules whoever is elected will become the President of the CIH in 2013.

I don't think I have ever met Paul who is the CEO of Orbit Housing Association (one of the biggest). However, Jan use to be a senior Housing Manager in Tower Hamlets and his wife Kathy was my line manager in Bow for many years. I've never worked with Jan but one thing that did impress me was that he was one of the very few senior social housing managers who still lived on an inner city Council Estate. They did move out eventually to Kent to be near to family. Jan also runs the Housingstories website.

Jon's Union blog: 0 false false false

2011-12-20T22:58:00.000Z

Jon's Union blog: "...0 false false false..." This is a screen print from the TIGMOO website tonight. Double click to bring up details.

I'm sure that there is some perfectly innocent explanation for this simply outrageous smear on the integrity of our dear sarf London coastal leader.

:)

Fidelity: the big bad wolf?

2011-12-20T20:23:00.001Z

I haven't had a pop at Fidelity Fund managers for a while. So being Christmas and all that...I thought it was about time I had a go at one of the biggest single political donors to the Conservative Party.

Now, Fidelity is a private company and if they want to give money to the Tories then fair enough. But what isn’t on is that they don’t disclose this to the clients. Not only do they not disclose it but they vote in other Companies AGM’s to give even more money to the Tories. Again without properly disclosing it. They also give money to pro-tory policy organisations, again, without properly disclosing it. Anyway, this is an email I sent this evening to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC).
I’ll let you know what happens.

“Dear Baroness Hogg

I wish to bring to the attention of the Financial Reporting Council my concern that fund managers Fidelity (FIL) don’t disclose their political donations to the Conservative Party as a conflict of interest under the “conflicts section” of their stewardship code statement here: https://www.fidelity.co.uk/investor/about/uk-stewardship-code/uk-stewardship-code.page?smid=geiz5krb

They make significant political donations to one UK political party (£400,000 to the Conservative Party in the last three years) yet also get to vote on resolutions seeking authority to make political donations, and in practice they have voted in favour of at least one company (Caledonia Investments) seeking to make donations to the same party. They also funded the 2011 anti-AV campaign, despite the fact that they are employed by some funds where the beneficiaries may have a different view (i.e. a majority of voters in Camden were pro AV in the referendum yet the Camden Council LGPS fund employs FIL).

I believe that Fidelity should at least disclose these donations, and the possible conflict with client views/interests, in its Stewardship Code statement. I would be grateful of your view of this matter. Yours sincerely"

Update on Pensions

2011-12-20T17:08:00.001Z

Following recent developments over Public Service pensions I thought I would give my take on things. There has been lot of excited and largely ill-informed postulating.

On Friday the main local government unions UNISON, Unite and the GMB agreed "a joint statement on discussions on a new set of principles and timetable for detailed negotiations on pensions....if agreed, the unions believe they "lay a positive framework" for full negotiations to start in January....The statement stresses that no decisions have been taken over details surrounding contribution increases or the future look of the local government pension scheme". The Government was willing to proceed on this basis. However it seems that Eric Pickles MP has been doing his best to wreck a deal. It appears that his silly letter has now been withdrawn.

Yesterday UNISON health negotiators received a final offer from the employers which they quite rightly intend to consult upon with the Health Service Group elected lay Representatives.

Other unions (with the one exception of the main Civil Service union PCS) appear to be close to an "outline deal".

No-one cannot seriously argue that there hasn't been significant changes and improvements to schemes since the decision was taken to ballot for strike action. Also as the TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said : "Since the day of action on November 30, we've seen a new atmosphere in the negotiations".

I think that some commentators are in danger of cutting their nose to spite their face. They also clearly do not understand that it is not and never has been (and never will IMO) the role of British trade unions to take action against the wishes and interests of its members. We are interested in resolving trade disputes and not engaging in infantile and doomed toy town revolutionary politics. While I am very proud of the work that my union does to change society and promote a progressive agenda. We put the interests of our members first and not what are told to believe by extremist central committees.

By coincidence yesterday evening I was at Congress House in London for a UNISON Regional Council Officer meeting. There was also a meeting of the TUC Public Services Liaison Group to discuss the negotiations. Outside the main entrance was about 25 protesters (see picture) calling for a National Strike (and various other things). I went outside to see what was going on and had even had a chat with my former branch chair. I must admit that I did wonder why these tiny number of protesters thought that they had the right to "demand" that 6 million TUC members do as they tell them?

The elected lay Representatives of the Union will decide what to do next. Ordinary trade union members will have the final say about whether these changes are sufficient to settle this dispute. They will vote in a secret ballot either: Yes or No.

Big Bad Mikey sings Goodbye-ee

2011-12-19T08:00:00.000Z

(Warning: this is an internal Newham thing) Big Bad Mikey who posted as "I love Newham Labour Group" (or something like that) sings "Goodbye-ee to blogging" alongside his old partner in crime Newham Tory miniture.

They will be sadly missed. How can we now show how completely useless the Tory opposition is in Newham?

I am of course, as always, a completely innocent man in all this.

UPDATE: within a few hours of this post "Big Bad Mikey" decided to change his mind (no surprise there) and reopen his blog! Hooray - we can now continue to demonstrate how completely useless all the opposition (trots and tories) are in Newham. He claims that he is a reformed character and will not swear or attack people personally.

Yeah...he's already pretending to be the very thick and stupid illiterate anon who makes obscene comments. Great stuff. Carry on "Big Bad Mikey" Please don't ever change!

(I'll be thinking of a suitable "welcome back" post for the near future:)

London Marathon 2012 Training Wk 8: West Ham Ward

2011-12-18T23:18:00.000Z

I pulled a muscle in my back last week so was a bit tender but managed to keep to the training programme. While out running I was shocked to see that there had been a serious fire in the tower block Fred Wigg House, which overlooks Wanstead Flats. Thankfully no-one was hurt, but as a housing bod, I shudder every time I look at the damage (not picture above).

I finally took back the useless "Ironman" running watch to Sweatshop and got my money refunded. The sales assistant was very good and almost sold me a £249 all singing, all dancing GPS, heart monitor, "Motoactv" Walkman. Luckily I managed to keep my sanity and escape. By co-incidence I have managed to work out how to download music to my Blackberry and was amazed at the sound quality. I'm trying to see if there is a decent running "apt" I can download.

Run of the week was on Saturday. After my Council Sugary in the Community Centre, Rokeby Street, E15 (taken up with repairs and OAP internal decs) I went home but ran back to the ward for my 75 minute long run of the week. I did a circuit of the ward. Not really a good idea since I kept stopping to check things out and take photos of a few problems and issues. There was a small fly-tip at the green lawn roundabout in Marriott Road. This roundabout was the site of the bomb crater caused by this:-

"In the early hours of 1st February 1945 at 3:03 am, Hitler’s last weapon of terror, a V-2 Rocket, left a trail of death and destruction on the sleeping street. An unmanned, guided, ballistic missile that had a maximum speed of 3440 mph, flying at an altitude of 52-60 miles, and carrying a warhead of 2150lbs of high explosives dropped without warning onto the sleeping Barnby Street, at up to four times the speed of sound. The ultra-high-speed descent meant that no sound was heard by those about to be hit. The effects of the resulting explosion were catastrophic, the explosion and subsequent sonic boom were heard all over London.

On that cold winters night, in just a few short seconds 29 people lost their lives and 15 others were seriously injured. Houses were totally destroyed and the surrounding streets were severely bomb blasted".

Check out Newham Stories. Barnby Street (now Marriott Road) had already suffered damage from 7 previous German air raid bombings. Newham alone suffered 40 V2 ballistic missile attacks in 1944 and 1945. The picture above was taken only a few hours after the attack. I will speak to my ward fellow ward Councillors Ron and Freda about getting some sort of memorial on this spot.

On the way back I went around Stratford Park and said a brief "hello" to one of my fellow school governors in Aileen Walk .

When I got home I felt okay and even a little smug that I had no aches and pains. "I'm getting really fit" I thought. Then despite stretches and resting I began to slowly stiffen up, limp and suffer.....Only another 4 months of this to go!

(I am running the London marathon next year using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me).

Occupy St Pauls (1887 style)

2011-12-18T13:20:00.000Z

Hat tip to Hayes People History post on an early anti-capitalist protest and "occupation" at St Pauls Cathedral by the Social Democratic Federation on 27 February 1887.

"In 1886 and 1887 the Social Democratic Federation conducted a broad campaign of agitation among London's unemployed. The church parades were a form of this agitation, practised in early 1887. It was an attempt to address the unemployed from the pulpit. One parade, on 27 February 1887, took place in front of St Paul's Cathedral. During the sermon, parade participants proclaimed socialist slogans. After the service the Social Democratic Federation held three meetings in the streets, the speakers including John Burns, George Bateman and Fielding".

However, just like today's "Occupy Movement" there was some controversy and dare I say "splitting". A certain Friedrich Engels attacked the protest in a letter on 10 March 1887 "Over here the unemployed agitation by the Social Democratic Federation has also proved to be a complete flop; the church parade in St Paul's was a silly attempt to ape the Chartists and was likewise a flop, in short nothing has happened yet. Next autumn things may get better; It would be desirable if, in the meanwhile, the rascals at the head of the Social Democratic Federation were to fade away and disappear".

TUC Trustee Conference 2011: Saving Capitalism

2011-12-17T22:14:00.000Z

The presentation was actually called "How funds can benefit from dysfunctional markets - and help save capitalism". You might enjoy the irony of someone speaking at a TUC event about saving capitalism - but I couldn't possibly comment.

The speaker Dr Paul Woolley is an interesting bloke. A former stockbroker, fund manager and economist at the IMF. He is now a Senior Fellow at the LSE and set up his own research team there on "Dysfunctional markets". I believe he has funded this on the large amounts of money he made as a fund manager.

He argues (convincingly in my view) that there needs to be a Revolution to save Capitalism. There are too many "bubbles and crashes" which ends up with fund managers being more wealthy than investors. Vast profits are made by the financial sector and not by shareholders. There is not mild inefficiencies but fundamental problems. Woolley talks about "Principles and Agents". Pension funds and shareholders (Principles) are basically ripped off by our financial services (Agents) who capture "excess profits". Fund managers are paid whether or not they do well. This is a moral hazard and results in bloated... short term-ism and instability. Regulation will not work since the Government is in hock to the financial sector. It is down to us (pension fund trustees and the like) to stop the abuse of our capital. We need to incentivise the UK industrial sector and shrink the financial. Say No to performance fees and No to any alternative investments which rarely delivering superior returns and can be cons. We need total transparency, full disclosure and the monitoring of all charges. Unless this happens it will mean the end of market capitalism.

In the Q&A I asked him a question that since it would appear that many financial service interests are against us, whether it would be best for large funds such as the Local Government Pension scheme to employ directly their own advisers and fund managers (Australian model)? Paul was broadly supportive. He later finished by telling us that many of the current free market theories are "duds" and future generations will think we are off our rockers for believing in them.

After the TUC Pension conference I went to a Guest lecture at the House of Commons organised by Fair Pensions by Keith Ambachsteer called "Can Pension Funds Shape the Future of Capitalism? Yes, we can!" Which I will post upon another day.

I also heard Paul speak at the LAPFF conference last month in a presentation called "What Pension Funds should do now" and make similar hard hitting arguments. Since then I have heard the ABI and others make similar arguments about us Principals being ripped off by Agents. I have brought up the issue at two different pension fund trustee meetings. This whole important debate (I sincerely hope) may finally have legs.

Pay up to £1750 fee to take your employer to court: A Bullies' Charter

2011-12-16T00:28:00.000Z

The Tory led coalition are planning to charge workers up £1750 to taketheir employer to an employment tribunal. Never mind the cost of hiring a solicitor or barrister to represent you. Remember you cannot get legal aid foremployment cases and that you cannot claim your legal costs even if youwin. If you lose and want to appeal thenyou will have to pay another £1600 (£400 issue fee and £1200 hearing fee) as well as your legal costs.

Soon if you start a new job you will have to wait for two years to be protected from unfair dismissal no matter how rotten you have been treated. Health and safety protections at work are also under threat as well as many of the so called gold plated European employment protections.

The Tories are also talking about introducing the legal right to sack any worker without even giving a reason.

Since only 18% of ET claims were successful at a full hearing in 2005/2006 and the median award for unfair dismissal was only £4,228 what this means is that most people will not take out a claim since it will not be worth it no matter how awful they have been treated at work. This is a charter for bullying management. The only hope workers have are the trade unions. We need to make sure that we are up to this challenge.

I blame this Tory led Coalition for everything that is happening but I also remember those in May last year who claimed that there is no difference between Labour and the Tories.

Jessie Jackson 70th Birthday Party in UNISON HQ

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000Z

Last night UNISON hosted a 70th Birthday Party in honour of Rev Jessie Jackson at the UNISON Centre in Euston, London. Our President Eleanor Smith introduced Rev Jackson and Keith Vas MP. Labour Leader Ed Miliband was the keynote speaker. This fantastic song was sung live by the Rev Jackson's daughter Santita. In the video background are my fellow London UNISON Regional Council colleagues Gloria, Monica and Conroy (and a few other UNISON faces).

Update: if you have trouble opening video check youtube

Council Speech on Income Inequality (and some other stuff)

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000Z

This is my speech on Monday evening at the Newham Council meeting. "Chair, Council, John Gray, West Ham Ward, speaking tonight on my personal views, about why greater income equality is better for everyone in our society and the evidence from the Book “The Spirit Level” to back up this assertion.

While I am sure that all of us in this chamber share a belief in progressive politics, in making our borough and our country a more equal and more just society, often we cannot agree on the way to build Jerusalem, in our green & pleasant Newham. We would all like to see greater income equality, especially for those living in poverty but we need to have a wider understanding on the causes and impact of poverty before we decide how best to tackle it.

A major problem for those who see themselves on the Left of politics is that that many think that socialism generally was discredited by the failure of Marxist states such as the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Not only their economic failure but also by the repression and the loss of personal freedoms.

Although the Labour Party itself has always been shaped more by Methodism than Marx, in my view and others, the Left has indeed lost its way and it has also been losing the all important Battle of Ideas to the Right.

This retreat by the Left and the resulting rise of the Neo-liberal Right was the main reason for the disastrous Financial services and Banking collapse in 2008. Which we are still paying the price for today and for the foreseeable future.

However it is no use for the Left just simply wanting or wishing an alternative economy. It must be based on rigorous economic and empirical research. If the old socialist certainties of nationalisation and control of the means of production, distribution and exchange are no longer - what can take its place?

The book "The Spirit Level" is I believe an important contribution to a new research based economic alterative. It was written by respected academics Professor Richard Wilkinson and Professor Kate Pickett and was first published in 2009 and an updated version in November 2010. They examined 30 years of national and international research. It is not a “theory of everything” which they are sometimes accused.

What this research found was that there was a clear statistical link in the developed countries of the world between income inequality, health and social problems. The smaller the gap between rich and poor, the more successful society was in terms of health and social problems. Based on this research, if the UK reduced the levels of inequality in our country, we could find increase in life expectancy, decrease in infant mortality; reduced crime (including murder), less mental illness and ill-health, less drug abuse and better educational attainment for our children.

To me one of the great ironies coming out of the research was that they found that not only was greater income equality better for the poor, but it was also better for the rich to live in a more equal society. The health and social benefits of the rich as well as the poor improve.

Once you identify the more equal and more successful societies you can then examine what you can do to change our society and make it more equal and more successful for all. There are two main ways of reducing income inequality:-

1. Smaller differences in pay between the top and bottom earners before tax (like in Japan)

2. Redistribution through taxes and benefits from richer to the poor (like in Sweden)

I won’t go into the remedies since this is a topic in itself but it does seem to me that politically the pay of top executives in the private and the public sector is in the news and being discussed while the idea that we should actively redistribute by higher taxes and benefits is not currently on the agenda. Yet I think that there must be a combination of restraint at the top and support for the vulnerable at the bottom.

The Right have of course attacked the Spirit Level research because they say it interferes “in the Market”, and that the “Market knows best”. As 2008 showed us, the market is not always right, it does need at times, regulating and moderating in the interests of a better society. A society which again, I stress benefits everyone, the rich and the poor. So let us go on now to win the Battle of Ideas. The Banking crisis for the Right should be the equivalent of the fall of the Soviet Union to the Left. Let us create a new society, a New Jerusalem based on statistical evidence of what works and what doesn’t, not the outdated dogma or wishful thinking of the past. Thank you.

Family Mosaic UNISON members vote for Strike Ballot

2011-12-13T21:24:00.001Z

"UNISON members at Family Mosaic Housing Association have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a formal ballot for strike action. The consultative ballot result comes shortly after Family Mosaic’s senior management issued letters of dismissal to all staff members who have not signed new contracts agreeing to substantial cuts in pay and an increase in working hours.

To date Family Mosaic have refused to revise their current drastic proposals and have shown little regard for the significant impact the proposed pay reductions will have on staff members and their families.

London UNISON Regional Organiser, Colin Inniss stated: ‘The pain of these pay cuts and increased working hours will only be experienced by front line staff, senior management have exempted themselves and protected their pay from any reductions. All care and support and general housing staff will be contemplating a difficult 2012; whilst for senior management it will be a case of business at usual, a point which highlights the opportunistic nature of their proposals. This is something which should worry Family Mosaic’s service users. Imposing harsh changes demoralises a workforce and cannot but affect the quality of service delivery. Whilst UNISON remains committed to achieving negotiated change, management’s intransigence has left us with no alternatives other than to conduct a formal ballot for strike action and to pursue legal action.’

The ballot will involve all UNISON members employed by Family Mosaic in both London and Essex.

For Further information or comment please contact: UNISON Regional Organiser, Colin Inniss on 07703 194 127 / C.Inniss@unison.co.uk
Notes for Editors
1. UNISON’s represents over 60,000 members in the Community and Voluntary sector.
2. Family Mosaic own and manage 23,000 properties across, 27 London Boroughs and in Essex. It has a significant Supported Housing business providing nursing, care and support services to around 4,000 people.
3. Family Mosaic’s operating surplus rose from 19% in 2009/10 to 26% in 2010/11. The Group’s net surplus increase to £34 million in 2010/11, a rise of 4% on the previous year.
4. In July 2011, Family Mosaic finalised the purchase of Hyde Housing’s £14 million-turnover subsidiary, In Touch, which provides services to 4,200 people and includes 120 contracts.
5. In 2010/11, Family Mosaic’s Chief Executive, Brendan Sarsfield’s, annual salary increased from £165,000 to £172,000".

London Marathon 2012 Training Wk 7: Wanstead Park

2011-12-12T23:20:00.004Z

Due to winter darkness I've found it difficult to keep to the training programme during week days. I don't like running in the dark because of the risk of tripping up. But you have little choice at this time of the year. Roll on winter solstice which will be on the 22nd of December. Not long now to go.

Run of the week was on Saturday. After my Council surgery I went for a 70 minute Fartlek (Swedish for "speed play" - a form of interval training) in glorious sunshine and blue skies. Starting across Wanstead Flats and into Wanstead Park via Park Road. I basically did two circuits of the Park (including one sprint up the Long Walk which I was pleased about) then back home in between the railway and the City of London Cemetery. Sore legs and in some pain for rest of day!

It is amazing nowadays that this park use to be part of a massive Country estate. A contemporary rival to Blenheim Palace no less. In 1805 the state was passed to a "Catherine Tylney-Long, who thereby became the richest heiress in England". In 1812 she made a disastrous choice of marriage to a William Wellesley-Pole (nephew of the Duke of Wellington). Who due to his "dissipation and extravagance" caused family bankruptcy and the Country House to be demolished in 1825.

Picture is of the the approach to the Temple which was an estate building dating from the 18th Century, which now houses a museum collection open to the public during weekends. (double click to bring up detail. Picture from December 2010. Note snow!)

I am running the London marathon next year using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me.

Daily Mail "clarifications & corrections"

2011-12-11T23:04:00.001Z

So, so true...The Daily Mail is completely and utterly vile and hateful. (double click on scan to bring up detail). Hat tip thingy Rupa.

TUC Trustee Conference 2011: Auto enrolement

2011-12-11T17:52:00.001Z

Catch up from last month's TUC Pension Trustee conference "People & Profits". I went to a useful workshop by the Pensions Regulator on "Auto-enrolment and workplace pensions reform - the role of trustees".

I don't think (in fact I am pretty certain) that many people realise that in a year or so, if they are not in a pension scheme, they will be compulsory enrolled into one. Employees, employers and the government will have to make minimum payments. Employees will have a month to come out. However, many think that due to inertia they will not "opt" out. This is good news on a number of levels. Currently 2/3rd of private sector employees receive no pension contribution whatsoever from their employers. While 50% of workers in the private sector have no pension provision at all. These workers face desperate poverty in their old age and taxpayers will have to pick up the bill for basic social security.

It's not all good news. The contribution levels are very, very low. 3% employer, 4% employees and 1% tax relief. 8% of your income in pension contributions is no where near enough to get a decent pension. The old pension adage use to be you that to get a pension of half pay and a lump sum you needed to have the equivalent of 20% of your income invested for 40 years. There are also a number of exemptions. But it is a start.

There is also a legitimate fear that employers who currently pay more into pension schemes might level down. Some people opposed the introduction of the national minimum wage for the same reason that it would depress wage rates but this didn't happen. I am more worried that employers who currently only have say 50% of employees in their scheme may cut back on contributions because the total bill will rise if 75% are now in (or introduce a two tier pension scheme for existing and new scheme members). The Unions need to be wide awake about this risk.

I also spoke at a recent UNISON Community Service Group Executive meeting and at last week's NEC about the organising opportunity that Auto-enrolment gives us. The unions must be at the centre of all what is going on. The greater the density and the organisation we can achieve - the better the final pension deal.

Of course for the public service pensions schemes, if members have to pay 50% more in contributions (nearly 10% of their income) after years of pay cuts, as well as retire much later and get less, then existing members, never mind the new ones will simply walk. They will leave the scheme in droves and the schemes will become unsubstainable and collapse. The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) will turn from being cash positive to cash negative in a few years and all Council finances could be completely and utterly shot to pieces.

Roman Road: Bad and Good

2011-12-11T16:00:00.000Z

The Bad: Off message but on Friday I was walking along Roman Road, E3 when a woman came out of one of the "shops" and threw two large white takeaway polystyrene cups into the gutter. She then turned around and

went back into the shop again. I was astonished.

I opened the door of the shop and asked the women (who was behind the counter) if she is going to clear the cups? She replied no, she pays plenty of money for street cleaners to clean up and that is what they are there for. I told her that I had taken a picture of the rubbish on my phone and that if she did not clear it up I would report her for littering to Tower Hamlets Council.

To which she urged me to go forth and pass water (or something like that). I said it was her choice and walked away. Not that it made any difference but there was no road sweepers anywhere insight. About 30 minutes later I walked past the shop and it appeared that the cups had been cleared away.

The Good: By coincidence that night I had a very pleasant crimbo drink and meal with 3 old friends (we all use to be UNISON housing stewards in Tower Hamlets Council) in Roman Road . We had drinks in the Angel and Crown where the pub staff and regulars couldn't have been more friendly followed by an excellent meal at Meze & Barbeque restaurant (see photo).

Record inequality between rich and poor

2011-12-10T15:36:00.001Z

Hat tip Equality Trust The OECD says rising inequality is not inevitable. Progressive taxes and making sure that people are in well paid jobs is essential.

UNISON NEC meeting 8 Dec 11

2011-12-09T16:47:00.001Z

Yesterday there was a UNISON NEC meeting on the 9th floor of the new UNISON centre in Euston, London.

I am a national member for the Community Service Group (Housing associations and voluntary organisations) with my colleague from Manchester City branch, Isobel McVicar.

Obviously the Pension Strike and what to do next was a major item. It was largely a positive and constructive meeting. Some of the usual suspects were being a little silly but the vast majority of the NEC made intelligent and considered arguments and contributions.

Check out the UNISON statement on the NEC here starting "We will hope for the best, but plan for the worst," UNISON's ruling NEC declared today as it assessed the effect of the 30 November pensions strike....The day of action was "an absolutely fantastic day, the proudest day of my union life," general secretary Dave Prentis told the meeting in London.....

While the blog UNISONactive reports also on the NEC meeting as well as on the Strike today over private sector pensions in Unilever, on which the NEC sent a message of support yesterday. (picture is actually after NEC Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday)

Help Seema Malhotra be the next Labour & Co-op MP for Feltham & Heston

2011-12-08T15:42:00.001Z

Dear friend, I have been a member of the Co-operative Party for almost ten years and I’m proud to be standing to be the Labour & Co-operative Member of Parliament for Feltham & Heston, the area where I grew up.

Labour Party members selected me last weekend to be their candidate in the by-election on 15 December. It would be an honour to follow the work of Alan Keen, one of the first MPs I ever knew, who sadly passed away earlier this month and gave many years of service to Hounslow, to the Labour and co-operative movements and the world of sport.

[ Read the tribute to Alan Keen by Martin O’Donovan, Director of the Parliamentary Labour Party ]

But to win I need your help.

Make no mistake, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats will be targeting this seat hard. Vince Cable will be wanting to shore up his political future after boundary changes and Boris Johnson will be looking to boost his mayoral campaign with the last test of Londoners’ opinion before May’s elections.

For Feltham & Heston to continue to have a Labour & Co-operative Member of Parliament we need Co-operative Party members to support us – on the doorstep and on the phone.

The Co-operative Party will be holding a campaign weekend on 10/11 December from 11am each day – join the team at Feltham railway station on Saturday and Sunday. Or come along to the by-election phonebank at Co-operative Party HQ, 77 Weston St SE1 3SD from 6pm on the 6th and 13th of December to help us speak to local residents.

You can also help my campaign at any time by coming along to the campaign centre at Feltham Labour Hall, Manor Place TW14 9BT. Email with your contact details today to mailto:felthamandheston@labour.org.uk?subject=Co-operative%20Party%20help or call the volunteer hotline on 07872 417252. You can follow me on Twitter at @SeemaMalhotra1.

Yours in co-operation,

Seema

UPDATE: Seema Wins with an increased Labour Majority.

Tower Hamlets Local History Newsletter

2011-12-07T23:21:00.000Z

I've signed up to receive a regular free newsletter from the Local History Library and Archive team. The picture is from a painting of Hessell Street by the Artist Noel Gibson.

I was surprised to find out that there has been a DVD made called "14th Floor: the history of social housing in Tower Hamlets". Which you can buy for £5. There will be a showing of the DVD in the new year. I wonder if it will cover the areas that I have worked in as a housing officer?

You can download the newsletter and sign up for future ones here.

SERTUC Health & Safety Seminar 2011

2011-12-06T22:27:00.001Z

This seminar in Congress House had Hugh Robertson (TUC) and Judith Hackitt (HSE) speaking and was chaired by SERTUC regional

secretary, Megan Dobney (right of picture).

Hugh made the case that under this government, the cuts to the HSE and getting rid of essential safety enforcement and regulations, will lower standards and result in more work related accidents and illnesses.

In the Q&A that followed I said that things are very depressing but trying to make a small positive out of a huge negative - the best safety protection at work comes from trade union organisation. Many workers currently have completely unrealistic expectations of their legal rights and safeguards. We have to tell them that they will have even less rights in the future. So to protect themselves at work they must join a union and the union must recruit and organise the workforce to make things safe.

Judith accepted that there was unprecedented change but that the cuts do not have to mean that people will be less safe. The HSE is going to try and cut the backroom not the front line. Reviews can be a good thing. The aim is to remove unnecessary bureaucracy not protection.

In the Q&A there was some "heated" comments which as usual Judith took on the chin and batted straight back. Megan had to remind people that they were "entitled to make forceful statements but must remember to remain on the right side of civility" (a wonderful Chair's intervention which I will steal). Judith did speak out against low fines for criminal breaches of safety laws. She would rather that there was much higher fines but that is the job of the Courts. She thought it was a disgrace that the death of a member of the public was worth more than a worker. She ended by saying the HSE were "not the enemy". That is true.

While I do expect more people to be injured at work (and worse) due to the Tory and Lib Dem cuts in the HSE budget and the getting rid of essential protections, we have to blame the coalition and not the civil servants. Who at times have to implement and defend the indefensible.

I will post later on the Lofstedt report.

UNISON and the Great Pension Strike 30 November

2011-12-06T22:16:00.001Z

Excellent! Hat tip thingy Gary.

London Marathon 2012 Training Wk 6: East London Cemetery

2011-12-05T22:58:00.001Z

The Pension strike on Wednesday and the LAPFF Pension conference on Thursday meant that I missed two days marathon training. I have also swapped my weekly “long run” from Sunday to Saturday, since I want to keep up with going for country walks on a Sunday whenever possible.

This week I was supposed to either take part in a 10k race or go for a 60 minute run. I was too disorganised to find a race so instead I went for the run. First a warm up walk and then jog through Forest Gate backstreets. Followed by stretches near Romford Road. I then started running through West Ham Park, down to Plaistow Road, then across West Ham ward to join the Greenway via Canning Road. I turned left at the Greenway and ran along what will be a major route into the Olympic Park next year.

I then decided to turn right and go down to the East London Cemetery. Near to the gates of the cemetery there is a memorial to two mass graves of civilian air raid victims from Hackney during World War Two. Also buried in the cemetery are Elizabeth "Long Liz" Stride who was the 3rd victim of Jack the Ripper and Carl Hans Lody the 1st German spy to be executed by firing squad at the Tower of London during the World War One.

After the cemetery I went into Newham memorial Park, back on the Greenway then home. On way back I said “hello” very briefly to two of my ward constituents in West Road who I had met on a Street surgery last month.

This 60 minute run had been pretty tough but I was pleased that I had managed to keep going at a somewhat respectable rate. Even though my thigh muscles are giving some gip and I find it a little difficult to walk up stairs.

I am running the London marathon next year using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me.

(picture of WW2 bomb victims buried in East London Cemetery and poster board with long list of "West Ham Air Raid Casualties")

Those were the days...Mugabe

2011-12-04T23:52:00.001Z

Hat tip Newham Tory Tim! apparently the advert had to be pulled due to threats of violence to Nando staff in Zimbabwe.

LAPFF 2011: "More Soviet than City"

2011-12-04T17:15:00.001Z

The 2nd presentation at the LAPFF conference on Thursday was "Owners and directors: challenges to board", chaired by John Plender, of the Financial Times. Simon Laffin, formerly Finance Director Safeway, former Chair Mitchells & Butler spoke first about the failure of regulators to ensure that British billionaires shareholders behave properly.While Ken Olisa, formerly Non-Executive Director Eurasian Natural Resources Company (ENRS) entertained us with a colourful account of the failure to ensure his Kazakhstan billionaire shareholders behaved any better. He ended up the first Non-Executive Director of a FTSE 100 company to be sacked at an AGM! In his case this is a badge of honour methinks.

Afterwards there was a Q&A. Anne Kvam, Norges Bank Investment Management (Norwegian Sovereign wealth fund) and Stuart Morgan, National Express joined the panel. I asked a question whether having a employee representative on a company board could improve diversity and the necessary checks and balances? Many successful European companies have such representation and they seem to do very well? Anne said she was concerned that there were only 2 firms of headhunters who appoint nearly all Non-Executive directors in the UK and that in Norway a 1/3 of the Board are employee representatives while in Germany it is 50%. Simon was opposed and argued that a company board needed to work as a team and trust each over (not sure what he meant by that?), Stuart didn't think it would be much of a problem, while Ken thought that an employee representative would only represent employees and not the interests of the shareholders.

My response to Ken would have been that he was speaking to an audience comprised mainly of different employers, officers and employee representatives who sit together on pension committees and should be putting the interests of the pension fund beneficiaries ahead of any thing else. All members of a board however they are elected should act in the same way for their shareholders.

I only realised today that by one of those bizarre coincidences that often makes life interesting, Ken Olisa is also the Chair of ThamesReach. This is a housing charity whose members belong to my UNISON branch (I am the branch secretary) who were on strike over pensions and had a picket line outside ThamesReach HQ in Aldgate on Wednesday. It's a small world.

Old Town Hall Stratford Christmas Lights Carols

2011-12-03T18:07:00.001Z

Last night I went to a Christmas Carol concert inside the historic Old Town Hall in Stratford. There was a choir from Carpenters Primary School who sang a lovely mixture of traditional and modern carols. Including (I think) Gloria in excelsis Deo in Latin.

This was in front of the Mayor, Sir Robin Wales, Councillors, Council officers, teachers and parents.

Afterwards the Old Town Hall Christmas lights were switched on and there was a reception for the Children and their parents.

Everyone was pleased when Robin asked the Children how many were learning to play instruments at the School. Nearly all of them put their hand up. The "Every Child a Musican" programme is now
bring run in 61 Newham Schools.

Keeping a beady eye on the performance in the left hand corner of the hall was this bust of the first ever Labour MP Keir Hardie. I think he would have been pleased as well.

My N30: Day of Action for Decent Pensions for All

2011-12-02T22:43:00.001Z

This collage is a snap shot of some of the experiences that I had during the Strike and Protest action held on Wednesday. Double click pic to bring up detail.

Pictures of Highbury and Islington roundabout full of UNISON placards and flags; the Housing Association private repair contractors who drove past and gave us the "thumbs up"; the Jiving for decent pensions and (of course) the march and SERTUC rally and finally the St Thomas hospital Picket line.

I will post these pictures on FaceBook later. (UPDATE see here)

One thing I should add is that this industrial dispute and day of action was really about decent pensions for all. Public service pensions are benchmarks for every decent pension scheme. If they are destroyed then in my view, every single good pension scheme is also at risk. Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution.

Now, I realise I might be a little bit unfair but the Government seem to be using the argument that since some private sector workers have rubbish pensions then so should the public sector. Does this mean that since some workers are on the minimum wage (£6.08 per hour) then all workers should be on a minimum wage?

LAPFF Conference 2011: The Continuing Crisis

2011-12-02T20:44:00.001Z

Another early start on Thursday to get to the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) 16th annual conference in Bournemouth from East London for 9am. LAPFF “exists to promote the investment interests of local authority pension funds, and to maximise their influence as shareholders whilst promoting social responsibility and corporate governance at the companies in which they invest....Formed in 1990....combined assets of over £100 billion”.

It is of course quite ironic that this conference took place less than 24 hours after I had been on a (number of) picket lines in the biggest industrial dispute since 1926 over pensions.

Both of the local government pensions schemes I have an “interest” in are members of LAPFF. This year for the first time I was at the conference as a Councillor rather than as a Staff side representative. Which caused some confusion. I’ll try and post on as many of the excellent presentations and debates as possible. If you are a member of a local authority pension committee or panel in any capacity (and any Party or Union) then this is the conference to come to. It is politically non-partisan which in this context I think is very much a good thing.

Tom Watson MP was to be the opening speaker but his mum has fallen ill so he has had to send his apologies. The Chair of LAPFF Cllr Ian Greenwood and PIRC Tom Powdrill instead did a presentation on “The Hacking Scandal: Lessons for Investors”.

LAPFF have been trying to remove James Murdock (son of Rupert) as Chair of BSkyB not so much with regard to the appalling behaviour of News of the World reporters etc but concern about his independence and the reputational risk to our investments and what this is doing to shareholder value. For example will OFCOM still consider NewsCorp to be a fit and proper shareholder of BSkyB? If they don’t - what impact will this have to Pension fund investments in BSkyB?

Jiving for decent pensions: November 30 Strike and Protest

2011-11-30T23:32:00.001Z

Video from UNISON Housing Association Branch picket and lobby in Islington yesterday. Check out the formal report on the branch and regional strike here. Sarah is our Branch Finance Officer and a champion Jiver and instructor.

It was I think a useful "stunt" to capture people attentions. Shame I am am quite so useless at it!

UNISON Housing Association Pension Strike November 30

2011-11-30T22:22:00.001Z

I had all the placards, banners, flags and leaflets etc at home, so I took a minicab this morning at 6.30am to the picket and lobby at Islington. It was a relief to see that there was 3 branch members waiting for me on site at 7am. We then spent the next couple of hours busy setting things up. The concourse outside the Highbury and Islington Underground station and the traffic island is very busy and high profile. We put placards, balloons and flags on railings, trees and street furniture. While leafleting and talking to the public.

There was an overwhelmingly positive reaction from commuters and passersbyes. A few idiotic comments but so few as to be remarked upon. Unite members who were not on strike had taken leave in order to take part. Journalists from the "Morning Star" and "Inside Housing" came to visit and interview us. As well as a Swiss journalist. We had "Jiving for decent pensions" lessons given free to pickets by Sarah, our branch finance officer, who is a Jiving Dancing champion and instructor (see next post). I was the only one who didn't mind the lessons being filmed despite me being completely rubbish at jiving!

There was also a successful branch picket outside Gem House in Aldgate.

Next some of us went to the local Islington rally outside the Town Hall, while I went to meet Gloria Hanson, the UNISON regional Convenor in Holburn. We took part with branch members in the march through central London. At the Rally in Victoria Embankment, Gloria was a speaker to the estimated 30,000 crowd. Afterwards we joined the UNISON picket line outside St Thomas Hospital which went on until 6pm. We had a little break to see a guest off but returned to the picket line later until it finished. Then a quick beer (or three) and home. I'll post futher pics on the Strike day later.

Completely knackered but it was a really good day. I hope you-know-who-you-are: are listerning and will have the decency to give us pension justice. Go on - surprise us.

Striking for Pension Justice on November 30

2011-11-30T00:01:00.000Z

Today Wednesday 30 November UNISON and 36 other trade unions will be on strike and/or protesting to protect public service pensions from collapse. If these schemes go - then Pension Trust and Social Housing
Pension Schemes could be next
(Note could be – we simply don’t know what the fall out will be)

Some UNISON members may not even be in a pension now but one day they will want to belong to a scheme that is secure, affordable and will look after them and their family. The existing public service pensions are benchmarks for all schemes. Unless we win this fight then everyone’s future will be at risk. Members ask themselves “do they want to end their lives living in poverty?

Never forget that not a penny of the money that ministers are trying to take from pension schemes will go towards improving them, instead it will simply all go to the Treasury to pay for the excesses of the bankers.

The branch is organising two Official Strike pickets and lobbies - starting 7am in Central London

· Circle Housing Group Headquarters in Islington Circle House 1-3 HighburyStation Road, London N1 1SE – 3 minutes’ walk from Highbury & Islington station.With “Jive for Decent Pensions lessons” at 11.00am Contact: John Gray 07432 150 530

ThamesReach in Aldgate Gem House, 122-126 Backchurch Lane, London E1 1ND – 3 minutes’ walk from Aldgate East Contact: Joel Bodmer 07891 941 376

UNISON have balloted 12 London based employers on Strike Action. See UNISON strike action 30 November FAQS

Colleagues on the picket lines and lobbies will be handing out leaflets to non-union staff and members of the public explaining why UNISON members are taking action. It is expected that all schools will be closed.

Other events

· TUC regional rally, assemble from 12 noon Lincolns Inn Fields, march 1.00pm to rally 2pm at Victoria Embankment, SW1.

· Join local UNISON picket lines, NHS hospital lunch time protests and rallies where you live map of events. (branch press release)

Newham Labour Group Statement on Pension Strike Tomorrow

2011-11-29T17:01:00.001Z

At last night's meeting of Newham Labour Group the following statement was agreed unanimously.

"We are proud of our Council staff who work extremely hard to deliver the high-quality services that our residents value, despite the savage and unprecedented cuts being imposed by this Tory-led Government.

At the same time, the pensions of Council staff in Newham and across the country are also under attack. Trade union members have a legitimate right to take action in defence of their hard earned pension rights, many of whom are low paid and cannot afford the proposed reform of public sector pensions.

We understand and share the anger felt by Council workers towards the Tory-led government's attack on their pensions and we sympathise with Newham residents who will lose out through the disruption to vital services as a result of strike action against this Tory-led government."

It is already existing Council Policy to oppose the attempt the wreck the local government pension scheme. See here and here.

Picture from the TUC March in March. This was the Newham assembly point outside Stratford Station. East Ham Labour MP Stephen Timms, Newham Labour Mayor Sir Robin Wales and members of the Labour Group, with trade unionists and Party members.

London Marathon 2012 Wk 5: Forest Gate Industrial School

2011-11-28T21:59:00.001Z

I felt stronger this week. Running every day (no rest day in programme?). 45 Minute Fartlek on Wednesday but main run was for 40 minutes on Sunday. I ran along back streets to Forest Lane Park, E7. Which is a hidden Newham gem.

It use to be the site of Wood Grange Manor. The home of the Quaker Banker, Samuel Gurney (see West Ham Park). Who gave the land to the local workhouse who built on site the Forest Gate Industrial School (see above). Over 600 young boys from Whitechapel, Poplar and Hackney "Poor Law" unions lived here. A "Oliver Twist" style institution where in 1890 - 26 boys were killed in a fire. Many of them died locked in barrack like dormitories. Shocking.

The school later became Forest Gate Maternity Hospital. In 1940 during the Second World War it was bombed and badly damaged. Nowadays only the facade remains and the main building is divided into private flats. The nature park to the rear is well worth a visit.

I next ran towards the new Newham shopping centre at Westfield’s, past the excellent pub The "Railway Tavern". There is a complicated path which eventually takes you to the front of the shopping centre and bus station. I then ran back over the "bridge" and back home past the Cart and Horses pub (the first ever venue for heavy metal band Iron Maiden) thorough Maryland and then a straight run along Forest Lane towards home.

I am running the London marathon next year using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me.

Pension Strike - Hollywood Version

2011-11-27T21:27:00.001Z

Weird and wonderful YouTube video from Barnet UNISON (as always) on the public service strike to save pensions next week. I don't recognise the first clip and I am not a great fan of Star Wars (but I have a view on the "dark side"). The rest of the clips are great. So lets work together for a wonderful life after N30 :) I am certainly proud to be in a union.

Elizabeth Abbot burnt to death for being a Witch 1683

2011-11-27T17:38:00.001Z

Last Sunday I went for a walk in Essex starting in Takeley. A few miles into the walk in the tiny hamlet of Helmans Cross, Great Canfield I came across a "Parish Stocks" and "whipping post". Which was vaguely interesting.

What was more unusual was that this idyllic rural country crossroad was where Elizabeth Abbot was burnt to death as a witch in 1683. It is pretty shocking to think that just over 300 years ago that we were murdering people by burning them alive for being "witches". The vast majority were of course not a witch but were mentally ill, or had fallen out with their neighbours or were just different.

I've tried to google and get more information about Elizabeth and what happened but apart from this I can find nothing.

Anti-trade union legal parasites touting for trade

2011-11-26T20:22:00.001Z

I find it incredible that supposedly reputable solicitors are cold calling employers that are facing pension strike action next week, claiming that due to trivial balloting irregularities, they could claim damages against unions and that they can then discipline their staff.

Now I can understand that if solicitors are contacted by their clients for advice they would have to give the appropriate legal guidance. Every employer knows that due to the anti-trade union laws in this country it makes it possible to challenge perfectly legitimate disputes.

What we have here are solicitors who claim on their web site to be committed to always acting in a “Socially Responsible Manner” touting for fees. Exploiting procedures to try and discipline (and I assume) sack ordinary workers striking to save their pensions.

Apart from the morals or the ethics of trying to get people sacked for exercising their human right to withdraw their labour, you have to question the judgement of such people who think they can make a quick buck out of other people’s misery. When I look at their list of clients I recognise a number of employers who I know will be shocked at what they are trying to do. I can only hope that they immediately review whether or not such people are fit and proper to advise them and that they take appropriate action.

This doesn’t let the Labour Party off the hook either. You can argue the pros and cons of whether there is the right balance in legislation over industrial disputes (and you can guess my view) but what is indefensible and simply wrong is that the last government did little or nothing to stop minor and petty procedural issues being raised to stop legitimate action and to potentially sack people.

Faced with such disgusting behaviour motivated only by fat fees and commissions for already rich and highly paid people is it no wonder that so many young people despise our current political system. They think that the injustice is such that it legitimises carrying out direct action and occupations.

Ken's Fare Deal Rally

2011-11-25T23:30:00.000Z

Picture of Labour Mayor Candidate Ken Livingston at the Fare Deal rally in Camden on Wednesday. Well done to Ken and the Party team for holding a successful, packed, standing room only rally 7 months before the GLA election. Below is based on some of the tweets I made during the rally.

At Ken's Fare Deal Rally in Camden Centre... Firstly, Steve Turner from Unite attacking the hypocrisy of rich bankers attacking public service pensions. Cost of annual travel card under Boris more than cost of a round the world air ticket... Joel Bodmer, Unison Housing Association young member about to speak at Fare Deal Rally....Joel is a mental health worker whose project has lost funding. Wages low anyway. Cannot afford to travel far to seek new job...

London Assembly member Val Shawcross says get rid of Boris and Brian Coleman on the same day...Ken's video - its the poorest and the middle who are suffering the most from fare increases...

Tessa Jowell "Ken believes in the power of politics to change peoples lives"...Boris wants tax cuts for the 1% while 99% suffer cuts...never just say Boris say TORY Boris Johnson since he will spend the next months pretending not to be a TORY. He is one"...vote for ken because he loves London and our city is hurting"...

Sally Bercow now on stage)... Sally "thanks to Tory cuts...families are being squeezed... Cuts hit those who can least afford it...Tories...ineffective rag bag of ideas...stop Tory Boris Johnson unfair fares in its tracks"...

Tom Watson MP on stage to cheers...Tom shares Private Investigators with Ken, tousles with Peter Mandelson and being unpopular with the Sun...reminds us about Boris infamous his £100k chicken feed 2nd wage. Cue life size chickens that will be collecting money for campaign...stop Boris fake fights with Cameron...at least when Ken fell out with Tony Blair - he meant it

Ken on stage to standing applause. Wishes 5% cut in fares was more. But unlike Tories we will not say anything we can't deliver. At end of his 8 years as mayor bus fares cut 9% real terms and underground only rose 1.4%...don't cap Housing benefit: Cap rents...Boris should declare an interest in his call for top tax cuts. He would have to pay £25k less...First time that young people in England face a worse standard of living than their parents....Build a machine to deliver defeat to Boris and send a message we want a wholly different society.

(picture Dan McCurry)

Why Income Equality at work is better for everyone

2011-11-24T08:37:00.001Z

Further to the outrageous pay cuts to low paid staff proposed by the Loadsofmoney CEO of Family Mosaic. This motion has been submitted

to the UNISON Community Conference next year.

Why Income Equality is at work is better for everyone
This conference notes the gross inequality in pay at many Housing Associations. “Inside Housing” reports that 58 Chief Executives earn more than the Prime Minster, while the highest earner, Jane Ashcroft of Anchor (established in 1968 by “Help the Aged”) received £331,250 - up 14 per cent on last year.

At the same time many workers in the sector existed on the minimum wage rate of just £5.93 per hour. This means that the most highly paid Executive got £26,605 per month while many of the lowest paid got just £949. This is nearly 30 times more.

The book “The Spirit Level” by research scientists Professors Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett demonstrate that excessive income inequality in society results in premature death, greater levels of mental illness, drug abuse, poor education attainment, imprisonment, violence and obesity. Societies that are more equal such as Sweden and Japan are more successful for everyone in all measurable ways. Both the rich and the poor benefit. This conference believes:-

That Housing Associations should recognise that internal income inequality is as bad for its workers and residents as it is for the wider society. It is corrosive, divisive and destructive. Profiteering for the few threatens the raison d’être for the entire sector. It results in poor staff morale and industrial relations, mistrust from residents and a reputational political risk to the whole sector.

If Housing Associations believe that they need to reduce their cost base to compete for contracts they should firstly cut the pay of their Senior Management Team.

We support the recommendations of the Hutton report on Fair Pay that “every public body should annually publish the multiple of top to median pay in a clear and presentable way” and that employee representatives should be on the Executive Remuneration Committees.

Every single worker whether directly employed or subcontracted should receive at least a Regional living wage rate. This conference calls on:-

Our Service Group Executive to campaign for greater Income Equality, using the press and media, working with the National Housing Federation if possible, and lobbying Government.

The Service Group Executive to explore affiliating to the Equality Trust

To request Labour Link campaigns for statutory regulation of pay multiples in Housing Association’s, increased public spending to combat poverty and fair progressive levels of income taxation.

(there is an amendment adding an action point which might cause problems with standing orders)