Campaign for Dignity and Respect for staff at Notting Hill Housing Trust

UNISON members are being balloted on action against imposed cuts to terms and conditions at Notting Hill Housing Trust. Supporters are being urged to send letters of protest to the chief executive and messages of support to members. More info at http://unisonhablondon.org/ and letter of support at John's Labour Blog

All Together Now‏

In her recent article ‘all together now’ in the left publication Red Pepper, UNISON national secretary for local government Heather Wakefield is correct to emphasise the unholy alliance which is building on the right to attack and demolish public services. In the run up to the General Election the role of the public sector will be the key debate. http://www.redpepper.org.uk/All-together-now

UNISON launches campaign to save community school‏

Surrey County UNISON lept to the defense of Shortwood Infant School in Staines as plans to close the much loved community school were announced by Surrey County Council. http://www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=6513764 The branch tells the full story and has launched a petititon at http://www.surreycountyunison.org.uk/

Inverness: UNISON lobbies to protect women's refuge‏

UNISON's Highland Branch is calling for talks with Inverness Women’s Aid amid fears that a review of services will lead to job losses. Branch Secertary Liz Mackay added: "This is an anxious time for our members in IWA, with cuts looming. They support vulnerable women and children in thecommunity, and should be treated with respect during this worrying time."
Read more at: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1601414?UserKey=#ixzz0faZW10Dg

Broken Holmes - dumb lies about density exposed

Small time boosters for UNISON General Secretary candidate Paul Holmes have made strident claims that his branch has "86% density" which is "the best in the union".

The ultra left beauty contest to challenge Prentis?

It is constantly infuriating for long-standing left campaigners that the ultra-left try to corner the market, labelling everyone who does not subscribe to their centrally imposed, undemocratic theology as the ‘right’. And it’s happening again as the so called United-Left (which of course it never is) wrangles over which contender to support in the UNISON General Secretary election. Anyone who disagrees with their, well, disagreement, is labelled as ‘right wing’.

NHS - the unions are back in town‏

A quiet transformation has been taking place in the NHS. The current Health Secretary Andy Burnham MP talks openly about 'our trade union colleagues'. As Nicholas Timmins points out in the BMJ it is more than just rhetoric:

Cameron's political fund‏

The Financial Times reports that David Cameron has built up a £75million war chest, with at least £16million funded by City bank, hedge fund and broker bosses since 2006. "Political opponents said the influx of City cash raised questions about the professed commitment to tightening regulation of George Osborne, shadow chancellor", says the FT

Private sector butchering techniques for public services - no thanks‏

The Guardian recently featured private sector management cost cutting techniques and questioned how suitable they were for public services. Lean thinking, value mapping, continuous improvement and propertiy reviews were among the suggested fads in a sweeney todd style barbers kit bag for public sector managers gearing up for budget cuts.

The Choosing by Liz Lochhead‏

We were first equal Mary and I
with the same coloured ribbons in mouse coloured hair,
and with equal shyness
we curtseyed to the Lady councillor
for copies of Collins' Children's Classics.
First Equal, equally proud.