Islington motion to forthcoming UNISON Disabled Members' Conference

Language

Recent disabled members conference have had a running battle over the term used to identify disabled members, either "Disabled Members" or "people with disabilities."

The National Disabled Members Committee rather then debate and discuss the issue, the response from NDMC has often been presented in a dictatorial manner informing conference it will ignore its views on the wording.

This conference notes that large numbers of disability and liberation campaigns use the term Disabled Members or disabled people not people with disabilities eg Disabled People Against the Cuts.

UNISON accepts the social model of disability, ie disability is caused by the way society is organised.

Unison Disabled Members should be an inclusive and democratic SOG but also one that does not shy away from difficult arguments.

This conference instructs the NDMC to produce a discussion document on the arguments for and against use of "Disabled Members" and "People with Disabilities". The document should draw on information and experience from other UK and worldwide disability campaigning organisations. Ensure this  discussion is accessible to all disabled members including all required formats such as Easy Read and audio.

To use the document to  consult  the  membership widely, asking for responses from Regional Disabled Members Committee, Branches and other Self Organised groups and publish results prior to the next years Conference.

That the NDMC bring a motion National Disabled Members Conference  2017 based on the feedback, with a view of settling the question.





Andrew Berry

Jeremy at Durham miner's gala

https://youtu.be/i6bUPfPjLSU

The Tories are divided, but at this crucial time, Labour should not be by Dave Prentis, General Secretary, UNISON

The Tories are divided, but at this crucial time, Labour should not be

Last summer, our union nominated Jeremy Corbyn for Labour leader, and a great number of our members voted for him in the Labour leadership contest.

Support for Jeremy remains the position of this union, as determined by our members through our democratic structures.
Our Labour Party members’ conference next week will be have an open and honest debate about the future of the party, and how Labour wins the coming election.
It is not the PLP or trade unions who now elect the leader of the Labour Party – it is party members and affiliate supporters, and that mandate should be respected.
It is essential that the Labour Party is united in dealing with the huge threats to our economy, society, the disturbing rise of racism in our communities and attacks on public services as our country faces a period of huge uncertainty.
The Tories are divided, but at this crucial time, Labour should not be.
As we appear to be moving towards an early general election, our members need strong and united leadership from the Labour Party.
If MPs choose not to serve in the shadow cabinet, the Labour leader has a right to seek to form a shadow cabinet and lead our party as long as he has the support of party members.

Join UNISON: fight for Jeremy!

Join us and fight for Jeremy


Join UNISON today

Fight the privatisation of the NHS

Join the march and sit down protest to fight NHS privatisation on July 14th 2016


March from St Bartholemew's Hospital at 5pm


Fight the privatisation of the NHS


contact info@nhssolidarity.org.uk


Aislinn

  

I am a “junior doctor” after 8 years working in the NHS. I am training to be a cancer specialist.


I wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember. I thought it would be the single most important thing in my life I could do; to be able to listen to someone’s story, pick out the clues from what they say and what their body tells me and then come up with a plan of the best way to help them. But more than this I wanted to do this in the NHS. The NHS which gives me the freedom to make decisions to help people not based on cost but based on need and which gives patients the freedom to be cared for in their darkest moments without fear that they can’t afford it.


The NHS is one of Britain’s greatest crowning glories in history, if not the greatest. Britain demonstrated to the world that it is possible for every person to be treated as equally valuable members of society in some of their most vulnerable and desperate moments, regardless of their status or wage. And that it could be done exceptionally well with world-leading care for over 50 years.


But the NHS as we know it has gone. In 2012 it was broken up into CCGs by the Health & Social Care Act which effectively fractured the NHS into funding pools. These pools encourage the market to enter and crowbar profits into healthcare where profits have no role. The Secretary of State for health NO LONGER has the responsibility of providing healthcare for the British population which I did not even realise until recently and I work in the NHS and I am therefore certain the public do not know. The Health & Social Care Act was kept from us by bounding it up in 100s of pages of corporate legal jargon so that none of us knew what was happening until it was too late. The NHS has been reduced to a logo which Richard Branson can and now does stamp all over his Virgin services which are currently and increasingly running large parts of the NHS, all introduced by stealth.
The importance of this cannot be overstated. This is not democracy if our Government can act on our behalves without even telling us. And this is why junior doctors should strike. To get our NHS back.
Many will say that there is no link between the restructuring of the junior doctors’ contracts to make us work more weekends with no extra staffing or resources. Many will say this is about improving services for patients across the week. Points that junior doctors have desperately being saying that we fully support but that there just IS NO MONEY ASSIGNED FOR THIS. NONE. This was demonstrated by Charles Massey, Director of External Affairs for the Department of Health, recently floundering when asked how much money had been put aside for 7 day staffing in the NHS. The answer is simple: there isn’t any. So they will just stretch us. I urge everyone to look at the wider context and implications of this contract. A contract that the entire profession has rejected as we on the frontline know in a way that no politician can tell us what this will mean. Let me ask you who you trust with the truth; 50,000 junior doctors who signed up to protect and care for patients for the rest of their lives or 2 politicians with deeply invested interests in the healthcare insurance private sector?


Let me phrase it in a simple way: If all junior doctors are expected to work infinitely more Saturdays with no extra staff or support, who will be looking after our patients for the rest of the week? Who is covering the thousands of unfilled gaps across the country that already exist that all of us have been made to fill to the detriment of patients? Who is it that suffers when on a night shift when there is no colleague to support you because the position is unfilled you now take on seeing 50 patients instead of 25? Not a single doctor has asked for a pay rise and there is no amount of money that could tempt to me risk patient care in the way that this contract will.


And this is the crux of it all; once the workforce is undermined and the staff demoralised and stretched and exhausted even more than they already are, then the REAL reforms march on in. Reforms that are already heavily underway and that this contract imposition is just one part of. When this Government has succeeded in bringing the workforce to its knees alongside reducing total spending on the NHS as is very clearly set out in Simon Stevens 5 year plan (to reduce spending from current 8% to 6% of GDP by 2020, already half that of amount paid in United States) then the NHS will be sold off fully as an “inefficient” service that has been purposefully crippled for corporate interests.


This is no longer in question, these are verifiable facts that the entire NHS workforce have been largely unaware of until now. Unaware because as Tony Benn once famously predicted “there would be a revolution in the streets if the NHS were to be privatised.” So they didn’t tell us. They just did it in the background and called it reform.


NHS solidarity is about standing up and challenging the system and calling them out on what they are doing. I will do everything I can to fight for the NHS. An NHS which was born under the principles of equality and freedom from the fear of unaffordability of illness for those that need it most.
This is about a service that goes way beyond personal interest, that goes way beyond private investment and profiteering. Because when you need it most, the NHS is about standing up for the most vulnerable whoever you are and treating you with the respect you deserve as a human being, regardless of wealth, status or wage.

Stop Trident

Join the Parliamentary lobby to stop Trident

13th July 2016

Jeremy in action

Letters to the Islington Tribune on Jeremy's leadership and the "chicken coup"

LETTERS: Corbyn – nobody is better placed to win back the Labour heartlands

Published: 1 July, 2016
• THE referendum result has already been used by the right wing in the Labour Party as an opportunity to challenge the Jeremy Corbyn leadership. We are with Mr Corbyn. The huge democratic mandate on which he stood for and won the leadership of the Labour Party stands. 
Whatever the shortcomings of Labour’s campaign on the referendum, Mr Corbyn was right not to join the Tories’ big business message on Europe and was right not to appeal to traditional Labour voters on the basis of prejudice against migrants. 
Nobody is better placed than Mr Corbyn to win back the Labour heartlands and to put forward politics of solidarity socialism and anti-racism.
After the referendum result, it is vital that Labour MPs return to their constituencies to begin to heal the dangerous fault lines that have split poorer working-class communities and not be hidden away in the corridors of Westminster plotting against an elected leader with an overwhelming mandate
Our members overwhelmingly supported Jeremy for Labour leader. Jeremy has always supported our members, both as leader, local MP and long-standing member of the branch. Islington Unison will stand by him now, like the vast majority of Labour Party members. We are with Corbyn. 
ANDREW BERRY
Islington Unison Labour Link officer


LETTERS: It’s time to repay that debt of gratitude owed to Corbyn

Published: 8 July, 2016
• IN the published list of councillors endorsing Jeremy Corbyn the names of Labour councillors from my ward – Junction – are missing, while the names of more than 300 councillors from all over the UK are there for all to see.
I emailed all three Junction ward councillors asking if they were going to add their names. At the time of writing only Councillor Janet Burgess has replied. Her position is that although she feels “It would be wrong for me to do anything else other than support Jeremy” and  “I personally owe a debt of gratitude to Jeremy, as so many in our borough do”, she is not prepared to endorse him publicly.
Corbyn deserves her “gratitude”. Cllr Burgess’s support relies on a Labour vote kept healthy in a large part by Corbyn’s hard work in Islington. I saw this at first hand when  Corbyn gave practical support to a local challenge made to the council over the transfer of some public greenspace for private use. Cllr Burgess was reluctant to get involved until the community had won that battle and the greenspace was protected by a committee. To be fair she then gave it regular support.
Her excuse for not going public in supporting Corbyn at this pivotal moment is to keep out of “political infighting”. Part of the job of an elected Labour politician at any level is to speak out in the interests of the Labour Party. Implying that doing so would be “divisive” at a time when division is already there, in full view, does not stand up as an excuse.
Those who would undermine Corbyn are not afraid to shout from rooftops. There’s no better time to repay the “debt of gratitude” which Cllr Burgess admits she owes Jeremy Corbyn. In a democracy we need those we elect to find the courage to stand up and be counted when the going gets tough.
KATE BUFFERY
Tytherton Road, N19

LETTERS: Weather the storm and stay strong Jeremy

Published: 8 July, 2016
• BEING a political anorak I noticed the long knives of the Blairites were out for Jeremy Corbyn within minutes of his election as party leader last September. And they have not stopped stabbing.
The corridor coup plotters have used as an excuse the poor Remain campaign. As mass, orchestrated resignations have followed, the plot to be rid of Jeremy thickens.
On Jeremy’s side questions have to be asked: when people you trust stab you and call on you to go, should you?
While the Parliamentary Labour Party cannot support the popular elected leader, the rank and file want him. Jeremy has to get tough with his enemies within, and even those who call themselves friends.
If he weathers the current storm the Blairites and their leader will sink under the weight of the Chilcot Inquiry report. So Jeremy, stay strong, offer leadership, keep calm and let the plotters carry on?
PAT EDLIN
N1

LETTERS: Plotters used referendum as excuse for Corbyn coup

Published: 1 July, 2016
• ISLINGTON Trades Union Council stands in solidarity with our elected MP and leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn. He has been faced with some treacherous deeds by Labour MPs. The plotters would have used the referendum as an excuse to set up a coup even had the result turned out differently. They were just waiting for an opportunity to attack a popular leader, voted by almost 60 per cent of  Labour Party membership.
It was noticeable in the early morning, when the Leave campaign had won, that the Blairite tendency were busy at work. It has been emphasised that Mr Corbyn, being a former Euro sceptic, had not won the Labour heartlands to the Remain cause. How ironic is it that New Labour – of which Peter Mandelson was the chief architect and Margaret Hodge one of Blair’s chief advocates – neglected Labour’s core vote and abandoned its heartlands during the Blair years.
Mr Corbyn has massive support from the trade union movement and grassroots Labour members, as he has been consistent through many years on a wide range of campaigns based on social justice, workers’ rights, anti-austerity, world peace and internationalism.
That is why he is widely popular with vast numbers of people, in particular young people, who want an alternative to the “Westminster bubble”. Corbyn firmly believes in a grassroots-up type of politics rather than a top-down model. A different type of politics giving politics back to the people.
The Parliamentary Labour Party is showing, not just contempt for Mr Corbyn, but for the Labour membership itself that overwhelmingly voted for him. This is taking place at a time when they should be attacking the Tories, who are split down the middle on Europe, and opposing Tory legislation such as the Housing Act.
When legal problems regarding Jeremy Corbyn’s name being on a future ballot are overcome, it will be once again a growing Labour party membership that will return him to his rightful place as leader of the Labour Party.
MICK GILGUNN
Secretary, Islington Trades Union Council

Islington UNISON Branch Committee motion

Last Thursday, our BC met and passed the following motion unaminously.


Mike




This Branch Committee of Islington UNISON, meeting on Thursday 7th July 2016 expresses its support for Jeremy Corbyn MP as leader of the Labour Party.

Jeremy has always supported our members in their struggles and shown solidarity to our branch-whether NUPE/NALGO or UNISON since he was elected as MP for Islington North in 1983.

This Branch Committee calls on UNISON nationally and the Greater London Region to continue to support Jeremy Corbyn MP as Leader of the Labour Party and in the event of a future leadership election to support Jeremy Corbyn MP for leader.

Motion at National APF Forum

The following motion was passed at the National APF Forum last week.


UNISON’s affiliated political fund committee will decide whether to make a supporting nomination in the Labour leadership contest, and if so who, in line with its democratic processes.
An emergency motion adopted at the union’s Labour Link Forum conference in Newcastle on Friday stated:
“Labour Link’s role inside the Labour Party is to advance the best interests of UNISON members, working for quality public services, equality and decent pay and conditions.
“Forum reaffirms that this agenda and supporting the election of a Labour government are the primary duties of Labour Link.
“Forum agrees that if there is to be a leadership challenge, party rules and procedures must be adhered to.
“Labour Link will then follow our procedures for agreeing our nomination:

• that all candidates have outlined their policy agenda and leadership credentials;
• regional Labour Link committees are consulted;
• the National Committee agrees which candidate to support.”

https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2016/07/labour-leadership/

Branch Secretarys 4 Jeremy

Jane, showing her support for Jeremy

Jane4Jezza

Our Branch Secretary, Jane Doolan shows her support for Jezza!!!

Islington UNISON BC declares its support for Jezza

BC Supports Jeremy Corbyn

Statement in support of Jeremy Corbyn by Islington UNISON Labour Link

Statement by Islington UNISON Labour Link

• THE referendum result has already been used by the right wing in the Labour Party as an opportunity to challenge the Jeremy Corbyn leadership. We are with Mr Corbyn. The huge democratic mandate on which he stood for and won the leadership of the Labour Party stands.
Whatever the shortcomings of Labour’s campaign on the referendum, Mr Corbyn was right not to join the Tories’ big business message on Europe and was right not to appeal to traditional Labour voters on the basis of prejudice against migrants.
Nobody is better placed than Mr Corbyn to win back the Labour heartlands and to put forward politics of solidarity socialism and anti-racism.
After the referendum result, it is vital that Labour MPs return to their constituencies to begin to heal the dangerous fault lines that have split poorer working-class communities and not be hidden away in the corridors of Westminster plotting against an elected leader with an overwhelming mandate
Our members overwhelmingly supported Jeremy for Labour leader. Jeremy has always supported our members, both as leader, local MP and long-standing member of the branch. Islington Unison will stand by him now, like the vast majority of Labour Party members. We are with Corbyn.

ANDREW BERRY

Islington Unison Labour Link officer

Peoples Assembly demonstration this Saturday

Join Islington UNISON on the march: assemble at the Angel at 12noon to head down to central London together

Islington UNISON declares dispute with the Council over Random Testing for Drugs and Alchohol Misuse

Letter to Debra Norman, Director of Corporate Resources and Legal Services
From Jane Doolan, Branch Secretary, Islington UNISON Local Government Branch


Dear Debra

As you are aware at our AGM held on the 10th March we passed a motion. We provided copies of this at the last joint secretaries meeting on 30th March. In the light of the mandate from our members and our subsequent branch committee which took place on Thursday 7th April we have been instructed by our members representatives to write to you raising a formal dispute regarding this policy.


We have been holding discussions with you for some time so you should be well aware of our differences with you over this policy.
LBI already have specific policies in place that if used properly would negate the necessity of employing an outside agency to impose random drug and alcohol testing on your employees many of whom are UNISON members.


Even if UNISON was to agree that such a policy was needed, to date you have not provided the promised list of safety critical posts nor have you given a definition of what constitutes "for cause".


UNISON believes this is an ill conceived policy. At no point has any consideration been given as to where this random testing will take place. There is no privacy, confidentiality or dignity in this manner of testing. However, what you have done is propose to appoint 0.5 FTE post to work "alongside Randox and HHP"


You have entered into negotiations with HHP and intend to issue a contract without consulting with the trade unions and in the full knowledge that UNISON were highly likely to place this policy in dispute.


As you know our AGM was very clear it would take industrial action up to and including strike action if this policy is imposed. This was further confirmed unanimously by UNISON representatives on 7th April. We will be advising members and their representatives to attend the various road shows to raise their concerns directly and we will be advising our members not co operate with this policy once imposed.


We think it is atrocious that the council are linking a tragic incident which was related to a persons medical condition to a need to impose what is one of the most intrusive policies we have ever seen.


Members feel very angry about the implementation of this policy and some of them have even gone on to suggest that the reason it is being pushed is because the council have clearly entered into a longer term contract with Randox and have no choice but to impose such a policy.
We have been told that LBI has or is about to sign up with HHP. Had you signed up with them to give support and guidance to management on the existing policies we would not have a problem but in the current circumstances this just demonstrates that come hell or high water you are going to impose this draconian policy on our members.


We have on a number of occasions requested an EIA.To date that has not been forthcoming.There has been very little assurance given in respect of staff taking prescription or over the counter medication or for that matter very little in depth discussion around this issue.
This is of great concern to our members and their view is that the council are taking a very cavalier attitude towards this.


The branch committee have instructed me in the first instance to conduct a consultative ballot of members and I will be taking this up with our RO at the earliest opportunity. However, please take this as formal notification that we are now in dispute with the council.


Regards
Jane Doolan


Branch Secretary

Islington UNISON AGM

The Islington UNISON AGM will be held on:

Thursday 10th March from 10am-12.45pm
Venue is the Union Chapel, Compton Terrace
opposite 222 Upper Street

Jeremy addresses rally on the town hall steps

Guest speakers:

The Right Honourable Jeremy Corbyn MP,

Leader of the Labour Party,

Islington UNISON member,

MP for Islington North

Jeremy addresses the 2015 AGM, Jane Doolan, Fiona Monkman and Mike Calvert on the platform

Roger McKenzie, Assistant General Secretary, UNISON

Agenda's will be sent out later this week and newsletters have gone out.

Please come and hear Jeremy and Roger.

Best regards

Mike Calvert

Deputy Branch Secretary

Islington UNISON

Islington UNISON Open Day

Dear UNISON members

 

On Friday November 20^th  we will be holding our Open Day in Islington Town Hall.

It will be in Committee rooms 5 and 6.

It runs from 12 noon - 6pm.

 

There will be stalls, refreshments, service providers etc.

 

We have invited our local MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, and the UNISON Assistant General Secretary, Roger McKenzie will be there.

 

Please come along if you can.

 

Best regards

 

Mike Calvert

Islington UNISON

Islington UNISON nominates John Burgess for General Secretary

Islington UNISON has nominated John Burgess for UNISON General Secretary.

John is Branch Secretary of Barnet UNISON and has led the fight against Tory Barnet for many years
John has worked with other Trade unions and community groups in defending members

John will continue to:

Campaign against austerity and, if elected, will build a strong national media profile, put money and resources into branches, defend facility time and fight inequality in the workplace and continue fighting the anti-Trade Union laws.Defying them if necessary.

This election is your chance to vote for a change


http://johnburgess4gensec.blogspot.co.uk

Black members conference 2016

22 – 24 January 2016

Venue Cymru, Llandudno

General Secretary election 2015

Dear Islington UNISON member,

 

Firstly, apologies if you get this twice, but my email seems to indicate it didn’t go.

 

From 9 November ballot papers will drop through your door for the General Secretary election of the union. The result will be announced in December.

 

The details are as follows:

9 November
Ballot opens – voting papers are sent to UNISON members

4 December at 17:00 hours
Ballot closes.

17 December
Results are published.

 

Our Branch Committee agreed to nominate John Burgess who is Branch Secretary of Barnet UNISON for General Secretary.

 

His website is:

 

http://johnburgess4gensec.blogspot.co.uk/

 

The other three candidates are

 

Heather Wakefield (National Secretary, Local Government)

 

Her website is:

 

http://www.heatherwakefield.net/blog

 

 

Roger Bannister (Branch Secretary, Knowsley LG and NEC member)

 

https://roger4gensec.wordpress.com

 

 

Dave Prentis (Current General Secretary)

 

http://www.votedaveprentis.org.uk

 

 

 

Remember your vote counts.

 

The election opens on 9 November 2015. If you have not received a ballot paper by 16 November then please phone the UNISON ballot helpline on 0800 0 857 857.

Lines will be open from 6am to midnight on Monday to Friday, and 9am to 4pm on Saturday.

The textphone number for the helpline is 0800 0 967 968. The ballot helpline closes at noon on 1 December.

 

Comradely regards

 

Mike Calvert

Deputy Branch Secretary

 

Twitter: @IslingtonU77

 

Blog: http://islingtonunison.blogspot.co.uk/

 

TUC mass lobby of Parliament – protect the right to strike

2 November 20151:30pm

Westminster, London SW1A 0AA

Add to calendar2015-11-02 13:30:00Europe/LondonTUC mass lobby of Parliament – protect the right to strikeWestminster, London SW1A 0AA Get directions

Join union members from across the UK for a rally and lobby of MPs against the undemocratic Trade Union Bill.

Email your MP and ask them to meet you 

UNISON thinks MPs should be focusing on the real problems this country faces, not undermining people’s right to be supported at work. That’s why thousands of people are going to Parliament to talk to their MPs on 2 November.  

What’s happening?

12.30 – People arrive at Central Hall Westminster, Storey’s Gate, Westminster, London, SW1H 9NH.

Please first go to the Great Hall (inside the Central Hall building) to register. There will be a UNISON table and UNISON learning staff will be there to answer any questions about what to say to MPs. 

1 – 3.30pm – rally

Hear from some exciting speakers from 1pm – 3.30pm.

2pm – lobbying starts

The lobbying in Parliament will start from 2pm and throughout the afternoon groups will go over to the House of Commons to meet with their MPs to explain why they should vote against the bill. It is always best to try and write to your MP advance or call 020 7219 3000 to say you are coming and ask for an appointment.

UNISON is creating a detailed guide on how to lobby your MP which will be available on this page soon, and UNISON reps will be at the rally to offer guidance.

Catering

There will be cash sales catering located on Level 3 outside the Great Hall. In addition there are catering outlets on the lower level of Central Hall.

How to get to Central Hall Westminster

Central Hall Westminster is located on Storey’s Gate, across the road from the Houses of Parliament and can be accessed in different ways.

Underground

St James’ Park station – Circle and District lines Westminster station – Jubilee, Circle and District lines Victoria station – Victoria, Circle and District lines British Rail

Walking distance from Victoria, Charing Cross and Westminster mainline stations.

Buses

11, 24, 148 and 211 pass the door. 3, 12, 53, 53x, 87, 88, 109, 159 and 453 stop nearby. Car parking

Public car parks operate in Abington Street, Horseferry Road, Rochester Row and Semley Place. There is also parking adjacent to the building on Tothill Street and Matthew Parker Street.

Disability access

If you have any disability or access requirements please email Ben Kind (b.kind@unison.co.uk) in advance.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members conference 2015

13 – 15 November 2015

The Brighton Centre

Islington UNISON nominates John Burgess

Islington UNISON has nominated John Burgess for UNISON General Secretary in 2015.

The voting starts on 9th November

We will be sending out more information in the very next days

Mike

Labour Leadership election and the Jeremy Corbyn campaign (written before the special conference)

Labour Leadership election and Jeremy Corbyn campaign.(Written before the election result)

 

UPDATE:  Jeremy Corbyn has won with a huge mandate with 59.5% of the vote winning overwhelmingly in every section of the ballot. Jeremy is right when he said we need to persuade registered and affiliated supporters to join the Labour Party, and I also support John McDonnell MP’s proposal  to have a recruitment drive to get 1 million Labour Party members. We need to build a movement that stands together with Jeremy, the unions and the community as a whole.

 

The ballot is now closed. Thanks to all the members who registered to vote in the Labour leadership election and voted for Jeremy Corbyn. I realise that many members’ votes never arrived. I am sorry about this. The party clearly needs to learn lessons about the conduct of the ballot which I undertake to raise.

 

One the best moments of my political activity was when UNISON nominated Jeremy on 29th July. I am a member of the committee that agreed to nominate him and it was an honour to be the first member of the committee to propose Jeremy. We won that nomination though due to members in our branch and in branches across the country who ensured members voice was heard via consultations and petitions. UNISON's nomination was described to me by a senior member of #teamcorbyn as 'a game changer' so let’s not forget the importance that vote.

 

Thanks also needsto go all those working on the campaign. From the volunteers on the phone banks and running events, to those running the social media campaign and to those in the office who must all now be exhausted. I wish to particularly thank MarshaJane Thompson who took time out of being Branch Secretary of Havering branch to work full time on the Campaign. However the hard work of all involved is appreciated by all those who want change in the Labour party.

 

Whatever happens now, the fact is things have changed. We have seen an unprecedented interest in politics of the left with tens of thousands attending rallies across the country. The campaign has seen unprecedented interest by young people including the involvement of my own daughters.  We have seen a huge surge of membership in the Labour party and we will have to be listened too (45,000 since Jeremy's election-ed)

 

I will be at the conference on Saturday as a UNISON delegate I will up date the branch as to the result which will hopefully be reported on in this newsletter . If Jeremy wins the hard work begins again, we have seen a taster into how the right wing media will distort and lie about Jeremy and the new front bench. However we have also seen how effective social media can be in counteracting these attacks, news is no longer in the hands of a few billionaires but in the hands of the many as long as we use it correctly our message will get out there.

 

For UNISON we need to continue to register members and encourage members to become full members of the party and get involved. I will be making further contact with members soon on this.

 

Andrew Berry

Labour Link Officer

Corbynmania: Jeremy tells it like it is!

Corbynmania: Jeremy tells it like it is!

By Eric Hill

Retired Members' Secretary

islington UNISON

“He tells it as it is!”—“He believes what he says and says what he believes!”—“What you see is what you get!” These are some of the reasons why Jeremy Corbyn stood out from the other candidates for the leadership of the Labour Party—was so completely different from them—and why he is now the new leader. Jeremy represents the core Labour values needed to build a fairer society. His anti-austerity message inspired people and restored their faith that a better way was possible—and, with a majority Tory Government in power, we need Labour to reconnect with its roots.

Across Britain the injustices are plain to see. The City has gone back to making money for itself as if nothing had happened, the use of food banks is soaring, child poverty is on the rise and the gap between the rich and poor has widened enormously. However what did the other candidates for the leadership do when faced with the Tory’s brutal and vindictive welfare cuts? They all took the absurd stance of abstaining—a position which now has to be seen as even more absurd and indeed deplorable given the perversely named Work and Pensions Secretary Duncan Smith’s deliberate attack on the sick and disabled in his recent further attack on benefits. This is the man who punched the air when Osborne announced £12 billion worth of welfare cuts in the last budget Jeremy on the other hand did the natural and right thing. He voted against the Tories!!

During his campaign he packed meetings up and down the land—with lots of people passionately discussing politics for the first time. Young people have had their imagination fired again. The Tories offer only fear. Fear of welfare cuts, fear of austerity, fear of the endless erosion of public services and quality of life. Jeremy offers a vision of hope that there can be a better future.

Why did Labour do so badly at the last General Election? In my view a major reason was that the Labour leadership decided that the best way to replace a vindictive, anti-trade union, anti-working class government was to copy them. The Tories argued for even more welfare cuts than had already been implemented by the previous government. They argued for continued austerity—but not for their rich fellow travellers. The Labour leadership also argued for cuts and austerity—only over a longer period of time. Austerity light as opposed to austerity heavy. They did not offer a real alternative to the Tories—an alternative that would protect public services; that said there was another way other than austerity; that protected the working class rather than attacking them. It is clear from the crowds and support that Jeremy drew during his campaign that people did want an alternative to the Tories—not a pale imitation. Jeremy will certainly provide that.

Jeremy wants to end austerity. He wants to change the welfare state in a way that actually makes it fairer. He wants to use growth to move the country out of the deficit. He wants to get rid of Trident and use that money to move toward a fairer society. He wants to close the widening gap between the rich and the poor. These are just some of the issues that Jeremy as leader wants to address. Under his leadership the Labour Party WILL regain its core Labour values. It WILL connect with its roots.  He will fight to make the Labour Party a real alternative to the Tories—something the working class need and want. It is clear from the numbers who came to his meetings during his campaign; the enthusiasm there was for his views on the way forward; the message of hope that emanated from what he had to say that under his leadership the Labour Party CAN become electable again. 

   

General Secretary Elections 2015

General Secretary Elections 2015

The General Secretary elections will take place over the autumn and it is vitally important that we play a full part in electing our General Secretary .I have organised a hustings meeting for the 5 Candidates on September 21st  12.30 until 2pm in the Union Chapel. I have approached HR for facility time as I believe it is vital that our members fully participate  and hear what the candidates have to say and more importantly question them as to what they will do for us the membership if elected.

The candidates are Dave Prentis. Heather Wakefield, Hayley Garner, Roger Bannister and John Burgess. Their statements are going out in a mail out to members and they will also be available for members to read at the hustings.

If quorate the hustings will decide who the Islington Local Government branch will nominate. Nominations close at 5pm on the 9th October.

The ballot to elect the General Secretary opens on the 9th November and closes on the 4th December. The results will be published on the 17th December.

Their is a legal requirement for General Secretary elections to take place every 5 years so it is vital that we all participate in this election

Jane Doolan

Branch Secretary

Labour Leadership election and Jeremy Corbyn campaign.(Written before Saturday)

UPDATE:  Jeremy Corbyn has won with a huge mandate with 59.5% of the vote winning overwhelmingly in every section of the ballot. Jeremy is right when he said we need to persuade registered and affiliated supporters to join the Labour Party and I also support John McDonnell's proposal  to have a recruitment drive to get 1 million Labour Party members. We need to build a movement that stands together with Jeremy, the unions and the community as a whole.

The ballot is now closed. Thanks to all the members who registered to vote in the Labour leadership election and voted for Jeremy Corbyn. I realise that many members votes never arrived. I am sorry about this the party clearly needs to learn lessons about the conduct of the ballot which I undertake to raise.

One the best moments of my political activity was when UNISON nominated Jeremy on 29th July. I am a member of the committee that agreed to nominate him and it was an honour to be the first member of committee to propose Jeremy. We won that nomination though due to members in our branch and in branches across the country who ensured members voice was heard via consultations and petitions. UNISON's nomination was described to me by a senior member of #teamcorbyn as 'a game changer' so lets not forget the importance that vote.

Thanks also needs to go all those working on the campaign from the volunteers on the phone banks and running events, to those running the social media campaign and to those in the office who must all now be exhausted. I particularly like to thank MarshaJane Thompson who took time out of being Branch Secretary of Havering branch to work full time on the Campaign. However the hard work of all involved is appreciated by all those who want change in the Labour party.

Whatever happens now the fact is things have changed we have seen an unprecedented interest in politics of the left with tens of thousands attending rallies across the country. The campaign has seen an unprecedented interest by young people including the involvement of my own daughters  We have seen a huge surge of membership in the Labour party and we will have to be listened too (15,000 since jeremy's election on Saturday-ed)

I will be at the conference on Saturday as a UNISON delegate I will up date the branch as to the result which will hopefully be reported on in thus newsletter . If Jeremy wins the hard work begins again, we have seen a taster into how the right wing media will distort and lie about Jeremy and the new front bench. However we have also seen how effective social media can be in counteracting these attacks, news is no longer in the hands of a few billionaires but in the hands of the many as long as we use it correctly our message will get out there.

For UNISON we need to continue to register members and encourage members to become full members of the party and get involved. I will be making further contact with members soon on this.

Andrew Berry
Labour Link Officer

Our very own Jeremy wins by a landslide

Dear members of Islington UNISON

The most amazing event in this country probably since WW2 in the Labour Party has happened: a political earthquake.

This branch's very own member and favourite son, Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, is the new leader of the British Labour Party.

Congratulations to Jeremy on his remarkable win, and to all those who organisied his campaign: especially the 16,000 volunteers and Kat Fletcher, among many others.

There will be loads of stuff on the blog in the next few days about what this means for us and a new copy of the newsletter will be out this coming week with more features on this success.

Mike

National Labour link Committee (Greater London seat) advice

The Branch has nominated Andrew Berry, current member of the National Committee for the Greater London seat for the National Labour Link.

Please bear this in mind when casting your votes, which are in a separate envelope.

Mike

Guidance for the Labour leadership election

For those who have registered but not yet voted here is some guidance including UNISON recommendations from both National and Branch were applicable.

Leader Election

UNISON has nominated Jeremy Corbyn MP and therefore recommends a 1^st preference for Jeremy, the Islington Branch are also fully behind the Jeremy for leader Campaign. Jeremy is great friend of the Islington Branch has always supported the branch in campaigns and actions.

UNISON has also recommended a 2^nd preference for Yvette Cooper MP.

Deputy Leader Election

UNISON has nominated Angela Eagle MP as Deputy Leader and recommends a 1^st Preference.

UNISON also has recommended a 2^nd preference for Stella Creasy MP.

Mayoral candidate selection

Greater London UNISON has made no recommendation in the Mayor Selection but points out that Sadiq Khan, David Lammy and Tessa Jowell are UNISON members.

The Islington Branch Labour Link meeting voted to support Diane Abbott MP for 1^st preference.

There was no recommendation for second preference but a majority of other trade unions have nominated Sadiq Khan MP and Diane’s campaign is recommending a 2^nd preference to Sadiq.

National Labour link Committee (Greater London seat):

This is a separate ballot sent to your home address and you do not need to register for it all APF payers should get one, the Branch has nominated myself, Andrew Berry.

Andrew Berry

UNISON Labour Link Officer

 

Islington Councillor Kat Fletcher reveals volunteer power behind Jeremy Corbyn's leadership campaign By KOOS COUVÉE

AS BALLOT papers are being sent out to hundreds of thousands of Labour Party members and registered supporters all over the country, a key figure in Jeremy Corbyn's surging leadership campaign has given an insight on the volunteer effort which underpins it.

St George's ward Councillor Kat Fletcher was the Islington North MP's election agent and as soon as Mr Corbyn scraped onto the ballot in June she was asked coordinate the volunteer effort in London.

Working out of the Unite The Union building in Euston, she coordinates an ever-growing “phone bank”, which consists of volunteers calling members to persuade them to back Mr Corbyn.

 “Over the past six weeks the movement has just grown and grown,” Cllr Fletcher said. “Initially I sent out a test email sending to 350 people in London to see if they wanted to volunteer for Jeremy. Within two hours I had 220 responses.”

Cllr Fletcher, 35, who was first elected to the Islington Council in 2013, works for a small pub company and has been given time off by her boss to work in the campaign. “I have never been so busy”, she said.

When she sent out her first email, 3,000 people across the country had already signed up to volunteer for Mr Corbyn. On Monday, that figure stood at 8,038, while the number of volunteers turning up at the phone bank every evening has reached 130. On Tuesday, £120,000 had been raised for the campaign from small donations averaging £23.50.

 “The response has been astonishingly positive,” Cllr Fletcher said. “You can tell that from the energy in the room. The volunteers are excited to be there and they keep coming back. They are winning the arguments. It doesn't feel like an uphill struggle.”

Previously disillusioned with politics, Giles Anamzoya, 23, decided to join Mr Corbyn when he was out canvassing after the general election. “I wanted to take stock of him and he impressed me very much”, said the charity fundraiser of Finsbury Park, who has been volunteering at the phone bank.

 “I wanted to volunteer for him from the very start. He is a very refreshing politician, and although he is the oldest of the four candidates he understands the youth and he stands up for what we believe in.”

Cllr Fletcher said there are lots of teenage volunteers, but added the demographic is “incredibly varied”. “A lot has been made about the young energetic youthful element that is definitely true, but there's also people in their 70s and 80s sitting there,” she added. “That's just wonderful.”

Pensioner Jennifer Hall, 67, of Highbury, is not a volunteer, but she is one of many who has come back to the party after an almost 20-year absence. She said many people of her generation have been buoyed by the movement that has sprung up around her MP.

“I think many people are like me in that they were waiting for somebody who is credible and not in the careerist mould,” she said. “I don't feel compromised by being Labour if there are people like Jeremy who stand a real chance of making a difference within the party. He's a genuine article.

 “He has been my MP for over 30 years and he represents real socialism, and I think the things he's coming out with now are brilliant. It's refreshing to have a different voice.”

Cllr Fletcher said the volunteering effort is creating a new network of political activists.

 “A lot of new people are joining the party and they are creating networks to organise. This is a huge opportunity. After this initial excitement we have to build the party as an electoral force.”

Asked whether she fears Mr Corbyn's momentum might wane, she added: “My experience is that every day is bigger. I can't predict it but as far as I can see we are not yet at the top of our momentum.”

Ballot papers will be sent out Friday, and voting can take place by post or online. The result will be announced at a special conference on September 12.

Jeremy's programme - UNISON's policies

To win, Labour must reconnect in all parts of Britain from Southampton to Nuneaton to Kilmarnock.
There is a clear choice: to accept the Tories' race to the bottom on cuts or to set out a vision of a modern, innovative country.  We cannot cut our way to prosperity.
And we need something different – a better kind of politics too.
With Jeremy Corbyn as leader, Labour will be able to reconnect with Britain with policies designed to deliver in every part of the country
Jeremy is standing to deliver:

• A new kind of politics: a fairer, kinder Britain based on innovation, decent jobs and decent public services.
• Growth not austerity – with a national investment bank to help create tomorrow's jobs and reduce the deficit fairly. Fair taxes for all - let the broadest shoulders bear the biggest burden to balance the books.
• A lower welfare bill through investment and growth not squeezing the least well-off and cuts to child tax credits.
• Action on climate change - for the long-term interest of the planet rather than the short-term interests of corporate profits.
• Public ownership of railways and in the energy sector - privatisation has put profits before people.
• Decent homes for all in public and private sectors by 2025 through a big housebuilding programme and controlling rents.
• No more illegal wars, a foreign policy that prioritises justice and assistance. Replacing Trident not with a new generation of nuclear weapons but jobs that retain the communities’ skills.
• Fully-funded NHS, integrated with social care, with an end to privatisation in health.
• Protection at work – no zero hours contracts, strong collective bargaining to stamp out workplace injustice.
• Equality for all – a society that accepts no barriers to everyone’s talents and contribution. An end to scapegoating of migrants.
• A life-long national education service for decent skills and opportunities throughout our lives: universal childcare, abolishing student fees and restoring grants, and funding adult skills training throughout our lives

Back in the day

Back in the day: Jane, Anabelle and Jeremy Corbyn

UNISON members backing Jeremy Corbyn for Labour Leader

 

UNISON members backing Jeremy Corbyn for Labour Leader

 

 

If you want to add your name to this statement, please let us know in the comments; include your branch and position if you have one.

We the undersigned as UNISON members support Jeremy Corbyn for Labour leader and believe UNISON should support him. Jeremy Corbyn is the candidate that most reflects the policy positions of our union.

He is the only candidate that is anti-austerity and has already come out in support of UNISON's call for a £10 minimum wage. He supports building council housing, reversing all privatisation of the NHS, funding Social Care and supporting comprehensive education, nationalisation of energy and water, supporting better funding for Higher Education, and an end to loans and fees.

 

 All in personal capacity:

 

Andrew Berry, National Labour Link Committee

Gray Allen, National Labour Link Committee

Nancy Flynn (Coull) former President and Chair of Labour Link.

Rachel Voller, Wirral University Teaching Hospital and UCLH (former Vice Chair Labour link)

Ray McHale (former North West Regional Representative on the National Labour Link Committee)

Max Watson, NEC, Branch Secretary, London Metropolitan University

Jon Rogers, NEC, Branch Secretary, Lambeth

Paul Gilroy, NEC, Branch Secrteraty ,Newcastle City

Jonathan Dunning, NEC, Norfolk County Branch Secretary.

Ella Thorp, Northern Region Labour Link Committee

Terry McPartlan, Northern Region Labour Link Committee

Sue Plain, Local Government SGE,  Branch Secretary Southwark

Marsha-Jane Thompson, Branch Secretary, Havering Branch

Ruth Cashman, Chair, Lambeth Branch

Steven Ellis, j/s Branch Secretary, Birkbeck University Branch

Daniel Nichols, Labour Link Officer, UNISON LFEPA

Jane Gebbie, Neath Branch Sec, Port Talbot UNISON Ass

Laney Walsh, Branch Secretary, Redditch and Bromsgrove Branch

Mathew Mead, Chair, Redditch and Bromsgrove Branch

Jane Doolan, Branch Secretary Islington LG

Alex Nightingale, Branch Secretary, King's College London Branch

Deborah Foster, Branch Secretary, Frimley Health Branch

Dan Sartin, Branch Secretary, West Sussex County Branch

Alex Harris, Branch Secretary, Unison Barnardo's

George McIrvine, Branch Secretary, UNISON Police Staff Scotland

Diane Jones, Branch Secretary, Aberystwyth University

Mark Wareham, Labour Link Officer, Salisbury Health Branch

Waida Foman, Branch Secretary, Unison PAH

Charlie Hore, Community and Voluntary Organisations Branch

Steve Elsey, Branch Secretary Staffordshire UNISON

Chris Berry, Chair, Nottinghamshire police branch

Caroline Glendinning Branch Secretary, Oxford City

Sean Fox, Joint Branch Secretary, Haringey LG & NJC

Jim Board, Branch Secretary - Doncaster UNISON

Fiona Monkman, Chair, Islington LG

Najeeb Nazir, Labour Link Officer, Nottingham City Branch

Anne Neilson, Branch Secretary, North West Leicestershire

Jonathan Lee, Branch Secretary, Hastings & Eastbourne Healthcare

George Binette, Branch Secretary, Camden Branch

John Burgess, Branch Secretary, Barnet UNISON.

Nick Middleton Joint Branch Sec Plymouth Community Health

Steve Elsey, Branch Sec, Staffordshire UNISON

Val Graham, East midland region Retired Members Committee

Mick Bowman, Asst Secretary, Northumberland County

Mike Calvert, Deputy Branch Secretary, Islington LG

Diana James, Asst Branch Secretary, Islington LG

Mick Bowman, assistant branch secretary, UNISON Northumberland County Branch

David Thomas Havering Branch Assistant Branch Secretary

Vicki Morris, Communications Officer, University of Nottingham Branch,

Richard White International Officer Sandwell General Branch

Shane Faulkner, Communications Officer, Wakefield District Branch

Stephen Wood, LGBT Officer, Wakefield District Branch

Sophie Jenkins, Vice chair and LGBT/Women's Officer Central Bristol Health

Alan Rylatt, Treasurer, Islington LG

James Robinson Treasurer, Knowsley Branch

Neil Summers, Treasurer, Northumbria Health Care Branch

Ruby Cox West Sussex Unison Retired Members' Secretary

Ed Whitby, Convenor (Children's Services), Newcastle Branch

Patrick Hunter Housing Convenor, Barnet LG

Liam Forsyth, Young Members Officer, Northumberland LG Branch

Ruby Nicholson-Pallett, young members officer, Bath health branch

Susan Jefferies, Disabled Members Officer, Swindon Branch

Iain Hedley, Northumberland LG Branch, Rules & Constitution Officer; Steward

Lesley Carline, Steward, Hull Branch,

Jennie Haswell, Health and Safety Officer, Wakefield District Branch

Louise Paine, Cornwall Branch

Ruth Duckworth, Canterbury Christ Church University Branch

Luke Turnbull, Leeds Community Health branch

Tim Nelson, Vice Chair, North Somerset Branch

Pekka Tuutti, International Officer, Cambridgeshire LG Branch

Michael Cole., Publicity and Communications Officer.,Middlesex University UNISON

Frank K Winston, Convener, UNISON Police Staff Scotland

M.Allen Unison LFEPA Branch Case Worker

Neil Conlock, Pennine Care NHS Trust Branch, Equalities Rep

Ruth Conlock, Organising Steward Unison Oldham LG

Luke Henderson, steward, Clackmannanshire Unison

Helen Towers, steward, South Tyneside Local Gov

Ruth Conlock Organising Steward, Unison Oldham LG

Sonita Singh, Steward, Islington LG

Dean Ryan, Steward, Islington, LG

Joanne Cardwell, Steward, Islington LG

Yesim Senler, Steward, Islington LG

Matt Sharpe - Leicestershire, Workplace Rep

Ann Hird Unison Steward Doncaster Branch

Bev Worrall Doncaster Unison Steward

Deirdre Beevers, Doncaster Unison Steward

Rose Bulfin retired,was Salisbury NHS Trust Branch Sec

Billie Dale Wakefield Bristol City retired member voluntary sector

Lynne Moffat, Islington LG

Eileen Best Stockport LG branch

Chris Easton, ex-branch sec Northumberland Care Trust, retired member

Dave Knight, Ex Branch secretary Walthamstow, retired members

Noele Butler, Staffordshire Branch

Adele Williams, Nottinghamshire County Unison

Steve Martin, Greenwich Local Government Branch

Margaret Jean Morris, Pembrokeshire

Ellen Townend, Fife Health

Ilyas Aziz, Nottingham Branch

Frankie Patterson, retired member

Michaela Stephens Griffin, Newcastle Branch

Rob Baker, Manchester Metropolitan University Branch

Steph Masters, Leicester City Council Branch

Lulu Rutter, Brighton and Hove Branch

Phillip Lewis, Camden Branch, London Hazards chair of the asbestos group

Brian Gardner, Hackney Branch

Hayley Goddard, Leeds Branch

Callum Bell, Northumberland branch.

Melanie Strong, Tower Hamlets branch

Rita French Hertfordshire CC branch

Ingrid Green Nottingham

Jo Sergeant, Bristol

Ray Riley - Wakefield Unison

Andrea Holt Doncaster

Liz Hemingway. Liverpool

Angela Green, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHSFT

Paul Liwthian - Gateshead Branch

Sandre Jones, Community health services. East Midlands

Alison Murray, Durham Constabulary

Mihaela Sidei, Lewisham

Paul Hayler, East Sussex Unison

David Horton, Kent Branch

Jonathan Tunnicliffe, kirklees UNISON

Matthew Stiles, Greenwich Voluntary Sect

Dwayne Coggins. Islington UNISON

Gassimu Jah, Islington UNISON

Geraldine Grizzle, Islington UNISON

John Philpott, Islington UNISON

Mike Frost, Ridgeway Branch

Lizzy Pannell, Calderdale Unison.

Emily Ashmore Brighton branch

Mark Tracey, Worcestershire Branch

Paul Watson, Islington

Louise Sutcliffe, Newcastle University

Peter Rice - Liverpool

michael paling stockton branch

Rebecca Newsome, Cardiff, Voluntary Sector

Dave Merchant, Oldham LG Branch

Nicola Horrigan. Cardiff. UNISON

Heather Bullen Derby UNISON member

Lynne Faulkes retired member, Hackney Colleges

Angela Green, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHSFT

Kathryn Duffus Shetland UNISON branch

Hannah Yates, Salford

Hannah Stevenson, Newcastle University Unison, Young Unison Northern Member

Marie Chandler, Liverpool

Karina Knight - Manchester City

Paul Murphy, Islington UNISON

Pam Bromley from Lancashire Unison.

Mick Allan, Exeter

Nicola Doyle - Doncaster

Steph Masters. Unison branch member Leicester

Noele Butler Labour party and Unison member Staffordshire branch

Theresa Rollinson Doncaster Unison member

Carole Hanson Doncaster unison member

Len Weiss Chairman Retired members Waltham Forest Branch

Max Smith, member

George Deacon

Jean Jones