The amendment was to make it clear that Newham was one of the very first Councils to introduce such licensing, in face of huge opposition from some Landlords and the Tory led coalition Government of the time. While we are in favour of all landlords in Newham being subject to licensing, we have to fully comply with the law. The amendment was accepted in full by the movers of the original motion and then Council.
On Thursday I took part with Councillor colleagues, officers and volunteers in the bi-monthly Rough Sleeper Count. We left Newham Dockside before midnight in teams of 2-3 and were given patches to cover and count the number of people found sleeping rough on the streets. In my team we found one person sleeping on the streets. I do not yet know how many were found overall and what the trend is compared to previous counts.
This was the first Count that had taken place since the former "Street Population Manager" Ajitha Sajeev retired. On Friday evening I attended her leaving "do" at Stratford Town Hall (See picture bottom left).
Finally, today I joined the West Ham community Group "LoveE15" with my Councillor colleagues to carry out the Spring letter pick in our ward. It is amazing how much litter there is even in streets which at first glance look clean. I got into conversation with a resident and admired his front garden and he offered by a Yucca plant cutting which he was planning to throw away. Which I gladly accepted and have now put in water as he recommended. I must ask whether I have to declare this as a gift?
Hat tip pics James Beckles and John Morris.
I also successfully moved a branch rule change to create the position of assistant branch chair. It is really important that we encourage and train up the next generation of union activists to take over from us.
What was very nice was that the branch had emailed all members to do a survey on their experience of trade union representation by local stewards and officers. A member from my employer made a lovely comment about my support for them and their colleagues in a recent restructure at work.
The branch is growing and has over 3000 members who work in around 150 different Housing Associations in Greater London (and beyond).
There are also many new opportunities to growing the union due to the Employment rights bill, and also in the future, from the potential for sectorial bargaining (new version of wage councils). Housing Associations would make a natural fit to follow the Social care pilot.
I will be continuing to press for all housing association workers in London to be part of our branch and not a local government or health branch (and all charity/3rd sector workers to be in the Voluntary Organisations branch). While many of these branches do an excellent job representing members some do not and it is always much better to organise around common or similar employment conditions.
Lots of other problems to overcome but exciting times.
There was a well received speech & Q&A by housing minister, Matthew Pennycook MP. Then various pitches for what motions the LHG should submit this year to the Labour Party conference. Mine was on the absolute need for more subsidy to deliver the 1.5 million homes we promised to deliver. This is the #elephantintheroom.
While we can do a lot of good things by other changes in policy such as changes in planning etc. but without a massive increase in subsidy we cannot deliver anywhere near enough social or truly affordable homes.
If you are a Labour Party supporter join the LHG here Membership – Labour Housing Group
On Monday 17 March there is a LHG Online conversation here on:-
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Dear John, This is a huge moment. Tonight, the Employment Rights Bill passed the Commons - a major step toward stronger rights for working people. This is the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation, and it’s happening because of trade unionists and activists like you. From day one, our movement has led the charge, putting working people at the heart of Labour’s plan to raise wages, strengthen rights, and make work pay. In opposition, we worked in partnership with Labour to develop the New Deal for Working People. In Government, unions are pushing hard to ensure that the legislation delivers on that shared agenda. Trade unions, representing millions of working people, helped secure key new protections:
These build on bold changes already in the Bill – stronger unfair dismissal protections, action plans to close the gender pay gap, a Fair Work Agency to enforce rights, repealing anti-union laws, and tackling workplace harassment. This isn’t just an upgrade in rights – it’s a shift in power back to where it belongs: with working people. |
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But let’s be clear - the Tories and Reform Party tried to derail the Bill at every turn. Tonight, Tory and Reform MPs voted to stop the Bill in its tracks. The Tories even tabled what they admitted was a “wrecking amendment”, taking a sledgehammer to new protections from harassment, the day 1 right to not be unfairly dismissed, provisions on zero hours and guaranteed hours contracts and so much more. When it mattered most, they didn’t just oppose the Bill – they fought to block it every step of the way. They voted to keep wages low and let bad bosses off the hook. But the fight isn’t over. The naysayers and doom-mongers haven’t gone away. They’re the same tired voices who fought against the minimum wage, claiming it would crash the economy. They were wrong then, and they are wrong now. Stronger rights at work don’t threaten growth – they drive it, and they make sure it delivers money in workers’ pockets. This Bill still needs to get through the House of Lords. After it’s been written into law, there’s work to do to get every detail right to make sure it works in practice and delivers the change working people have been promised. And let’s not forget, the Employment Rights Bill is only the start of delivering the New Deal for Working People. We’ve come this far by standing together. We won’t let them hold us back. Add your name. Show your support for delivering the New Deal in full: https://labourunions.org.uk/winnewdeal/ |
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In solidarity, Helen Pearce, Director Labour Unions |
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It was a motion based conference and there 16 different motions debated during the day on a wide range of Community specific issues.
Before (and afterwards) Conference, my UNISON NEC Colleague Denise Thomas and I handed out our leaflets outside the Conference hotel, asking for support in the forthcoming NEC elections (ballot papers out 21st April) and also for our fellow minded allies (mostly those from members together).
I spoke twice in support of motions on behalf of the Community Service Group Executive on "Challenging racism and discrimination in Community" and then on "Sectoral Bargaining in the Housing Associations Sector". I will post my speeches another time. My branch and London SGE colleagues, Lola and Joseph also spoke as did Denise.
So a good conference (and seminar). Many thanks to the Hotel staff for looking after us so well and for UNISON staff for supporting us and giving up their Saturday. Bristol was lovely and I will definitely return again.
10am the seminar started with Sector meetings. I attended the Housing Associations one and we had a speaker from LIVV Housing Association UNISON who are taking extensive strike action against their employer to reverse real term cuts in pay. LIVV have behaved appallingly and not only are they refusing to meet and try to conciliate but are actively attacking strikers and the union.
While no-one expects an employer to simply agree to all union demands, what LIVV senior management and board are doing is deliberate union busting, by offering a pay rise ONLY to people who don't join or leave the union. Not being discriminated for joining a union is a fundamental human right (United Nations ILO declarations). If you don't respect the human rights of your workers then you are not fit to run in any way any organisation in my view, never mind one supposedly with a social purpose.
No wonder "Housing Associations" (when there are actually many very good ones who would never act it this way) are hated by so many, across the entire political spectrum. Who on earth is advising them to do this? How can human rights abusers be allowed to run services for vulnerable residents?
There were "new delegate" and then equalities caucus meetings over lunch then the Seminar itself started afterwards. Our General Secretary, Christina MacAnea, gave a simply brilliant and inspiring speech followed by a wide ranging Q&A. The way she has been treated following her personal bereavement by some extremists has been truly shameful but I am so glad she is back and standing up for the union and our real members.
Joseph Evans from the IPPR spoke about sectorial bargaining in other parts of the economy. This issue is so important to our sector and I spoke on this debate the next day at the actual conference.
After the seminar there was a regional meeting of Greater London Community delegates then a social in a nearby pub.
