Upper Norwood Library

The Upper Norwood Library continues to face an uncertain future with possible cuts, privatisation or even closure on the cards. We would ask all those who care about the future of our Library to attend the AGM.

Croydon Council in a clear breach of Croydon and Lambeth’s Joint Agreement have, for the second year running, nominated four Cabinet councillors from the far south of the borough to serve on the Joint Library Committee. This is a blatant breach in that the Agreement is clear that at least two nominated councillors m each borough must be from the Upper Norwood area.

Given the cabinet members' wide range of commitments, how plausible is it that these councillors will have the slightest interest, local knowledge or time for the Upper Norwood Library? Croydon's behaviour is yet another insult to the people of Crystal Palace and an affront to local democracy.

Next Thursday the future of our library service will be discussed at the Annual General Meeting of the Library Committee. The meeting is being held at the Library (39-41 Westow Hill, SE19).

Make sure your voice is heard by attending this crucial AGM and don't forget to tell your family, friends and neighbours.


http://www.britaine.co.uk/web/120AC20419D740/the-world-of-nick-venedi

Nick Venedi

BBC and women

Last nights question time was a repeat of many other BBC programmes where there is a panel expressing opinions. We had a panel that was made up of more men than women. I find this ridiculous given that the majority of the population happen to be women? Has the BBC heard of proportionality?

Nick Venedi

TUC, Women's jobs will suffer

The TUC has expressed concerns that the level of female unemployment will increase beyond the current 23-year high as the government's public sector jobs cuts begin to bite.

With the proportion of women employed in the public sector having risen three times the rate of men in the past decade, women are especially vulnerable to job losses in sectors such as local government, education and the criminal justice system.

Meanwhile, the TUC said that equal pay law and business goodwill had failed to break the glass ceiling for women, following the publication of a report on the gender pay gap by the Chartered Management Institute.

TUC on women's unemployment @

http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-19982-f0.cfm

TUC on Bank of England announcement

TUC on Bank of England announcement


http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-19910-f0.cfm

Sally Bercow

I know I was critical about Sally Bercow and her involvment with big brother but she raised 100k for her charity by entering the 'show' so it could be argued that she did well...

Nick Venedi

Cyprus and NATO

Astonishing how two NATO countries have not been able to resolve the conflict they have and by doing so allowing part of Cyprus territory to remain under occupation.

Sally Bercow is out

As predicted previously on this splendid blog Sally Bercow has been the first to be voted out from the big brother household. It would appear that the public wanted to punish the speaker of the commons by sending his wife back to him. Good that she has, however, raised 100k for charities she should be congratulated for that...

Nick Venedi

Get Sally Bercow out

Not that I watch big brother on channel 5 but I have managed to see two repeats on the odd night and judging by what I have seen the non celebrities in the house are definitely not worth watching. But saying that I feel that the 5 people who watch the 'show' (is it a show?) should vote Sally out so that she can go back to her husband and continue arguing about the meaning of life and why the house of commons should be painted grey? Or whatever..

Nick Venedi

Tulisa Contostavlos

Excellent documentary with Tulisa on Tuesday night showing the plight of young carers who take time to look after sick relatives who depend on them. She presented the programme with dignity and also knowledge which comes from being in the same situation herself when she was younger. I hope we will see more of Tulisa in the near future and not just on the x factor. She is great!

Nick Venedi

Hug it forward movement

A charity worth getting involved with

David Beckham

Its official D Beckham was photographed from the back displaying a bare patch on top of his head meaning he is getting bald. It will be amazing to see how he looks like if he loses all his hair! On the other hand, who cares?

Nick Venedi

Sign online pensions petition

Most union members in a pension scheme will be detrimentally affected by the Government's change to a worse measure for increasing pensions when in payment each year.


For some, this change represents a 15% reduction in their benefits. Please sign up to this e-petition to seek to spark a Parliamentary debate. 100,000 signatures are needed for this purpose – at the point of sending this email there were 10,655 signatures so please forward this email on and encourage others to sign the petition as well.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/1535

Nick Venedi

Tellyland on Monday, by Nick Venedi

Good telly on tonight Monday is perhaps the only night where British tv is reasonably good with the soaps on and a few good documentaries. Coronation street is my fav followed by dirty sexy things and then Pineapple studios. Stay in and relax and forget about Tony Blairs obsession with himself...

Nick Venedi

X Factor 2011

Really like the fact that Gary Barlow is on the panel this year and also like Tulisa Contostavlos who is fresh and interesting. Lets hope the participants will do their best to impress.

Nick Venedi

Is X factor any good?

Well ex factor to me signifies the beginning of the end of summer and the start of the pre Xmas season. Meaning it starts now and finishes in time for Xmas number one etc.

The programme has been criticised a lot for being too panel orientated and that is true to a large extent but on the other hand it gives people who have some talent the opportunity to exhibit their talents and for us to become armchair critics, so on balance its interesting for providing low quality fun?

Benefit changes to save money

DWP figures revealing that only one in 14 people assessed for the new incapacity benefit will be entitled to claim the payout in the long term showed the changes were designed to save money not help the disabled, the TUC said in response.
The TUC has heard from disabled people all around the UK who feel that the tests have been unfair and ineffective, and was interested to learn that 39 per cent of appeals against the initial judgements were successful.
Further information @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-19851-f0.cfm

Pensions petition

Union members are encouraged to sign the online petition which can be found on the government site as shown below

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/1535

Nick Venedi

Evictions

I see very little point with evicting those who have been found to be guilty of criminal acts during the riots. These people are thugs but evicting them will not help society, it will simply mean that other councils will have to rehouse them? So how does that resolve a problem? Thought that Cameron was into hugging a hoodie?

Nick Venedi

Diane Abbott

Don't care what anyone says about Diane Abbott and her school preferences the fact is that on the worst day of the riots she put her self out there and did her best to try and calm people down in Hackney, she deserves full respect for that.

Nick Venedi

BBC panels

It is appalling to see that the BBC constantly fails to have women appear on telly programmes. Last nights question time had 6 people on the panel and only one was a woman? Why do we constantly fail with this?

nick venedi

Culture of fear

We must not allow a culture of fear to reign in our streets as a result of the recent riots. Those who committed the criminal acts must be punished severely there are no excuses.

nick venedi

Clapham clean up

Conngratulations to the citizens of Clapham (not subjects) who have taken to the steets to clean up their community area after it was smashed by criminal thugs during the so called riots. Well done to all who gave up their time.

Nick venedi

Benefit changes

DWP figures revealing that only one in 14 people assessed for the new incapacity benefit will be entitled to claim the payout in the long term showed the changes were designed to save money not help the disabled, the TUC said in response.



The TUC has heard from disabled people all around the UK who feel that the tests have been unfair and ineffective, and was interested to learn that 39 per cent of appeals against the initial judgements were successful.

Further information @


nick venedi

Talks continue

Earlier in the month, a meeting of public service unions agreed to extend the TUC negotiations with the Government on pensions.




Further talks will take place centrally, while individual unions were actively considering also participating in scheme-level talks. The TUC made it clear to government that agreement to continue negotiations did not mean that unions had accepted or agreed any of the Government's objectives or the change in indexation from RPI to CPI.

Meanwhile, the TUC said that new Treasury estimates for the cost of future public sector pensions liabilities were 'scary, meaningless' numbers. The figures were a 'nakedly political' attempt by government to strengthen its hand in the negotiations on public sector pensions, after its continued failure to sustain the argument that schemes were unaffordable

Lansley on pensions

A leaked letter from Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander endorsed almost every point unions had made on public sector pensions, the TUC said in response at the end of July.




The letter 'could have been written by any of the union negotiators', the TUC said, adding that Mr Lansley confirmed that the Government was grabbing money from public sector workers to pay down a deficit they did nothing to create.

The Government's approach would have the perverse consequence of making the deficit worse, as the state would still have to pay current schemes but would get no benefit from the contributions of those who leave their schemes.

Back Bombardier call

The Government should reverse its decision to award the Thameslink rolling stock contract to Siemens in Germany in preference to Bombardier in the UK, the TUC and unions urged last month.




Following a meeting with Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady expressed grave disappointment that the Government refused to review its decision.



'We were appalled to learn that no jobs impact assessment has been carried out and we have urged the Secretary of State to do so because we believe that the long-term costs to the taxpayer of the loss of thousands of jobs will prove to be more expensive', she said.

Markets panic? by Nick Venedi

Apparently the markets are panicking and the value of shares is going down in the meantime I did not see any evidence of this when I was in Brixton market, the price of bananas was the same as the week before so maybe the markets are just getting bored with life?

Nick Venedi

Italian crisis, Nick Venedi

Looks like the Italian economy is also in trouble. Many were aware of this years ago as the Italian economy is very much a cash economy (especially in the south) Can Italy survive the crisis and if they can how would the Euro be affected?

Nick venedi

SERTUC Women's Rights Committee - Annual Walking Tour

Tuesday 20th September, places are limited to just 25. Take a tour around Belgravia, where at the end of the 19th century, it was also home to an army of domestic servants, most of them women and girls. This tour gives centre stage to the work and lives of cooks, maids and tweenies


http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-19889-f0.cfm

One O'Clocl clubs, by Nick Venedi

The O'clock clubs are under threat of closure. Please come to the meeting on the 6 September in Lambeth Town Hall to protest against the proposed closures.

Nick Venedi

Tony Blair, by Nick Venedi

Looks like Tony Blair is back in the news again for the wrong reason. Would appear that he made an agreement with old Bush to go to war in Iraq without telling his cabinet? If that's true then that needs to be looked at?

Nick Venedi

Part time workers rights

This guide is intended to provide a brief introduction to equal treatment rights for part-time workers. It also contains information about other basic rights which part-time workers are entitled to in the workplace.


http://www.tuc.org.uk/workplace/tuc-19856-f0.cfm


nick venedi

Lambeth Labour party by Nick Venedi

Obviously better to have Labour running Lambeth than any other party, that is if you are a Labour party supporter of course. On the other hand Labour keep making the same mistakes all the time, they need to stay in control and not alienate their natural supporters.

Nick Venedi

South Korea

Unions call on Standard Chartered UK to resolve long running dispute in South Korea


Korean, UK and global unions yesterday delivered a letter calling on Standard Chartered UK to resolve the month-long strike at its Korean subsidiary – the longest in the history of the Korean banking industry.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19859-f0.cfm

Libraries dispute

Great victory for Lambeth libraries hope we can learn lessons from this.

Nick venedi

Edmund Hall

Good friend of mine and well known activist, he is also a great artist and has had two exhibitions to show off the work he has done with TU banners.

http://www.phm.org.uk/changing-exhibitions-gallery/on-the-march-an-exhibition-of-banners-made-by-ed-hall/

nick venedi

Local government pension scheme, by Nick Venedi

The government have agreed to allow the local government pension scheme to regulate itself or at least they will not be imposing the compulsory 3.2 % increase in employee contributions for now.

http://www.professionalpensions.com/professional-pensions/news/2095677/lgps-freed-contribution-increase-rule#ixzz1Skjq5TeG

nick venedi

Norways tragic day

Sad day for Norway and the world as a whole. A mad man goes on the rampage and kills more than 90 Innocent people. What a sad day for all of us!

Fiscal union in Europe?

We had monitary integration in Europe for a few years now but the new crisis has pushed the euro member states towards closer fiscal integration which will also involve common regulation of all the economies. This will mean the end of financial independence and central control.

nick venedi

Standards of service, by Nick Venedi

I have dealt with the importance of recruitment in another blog that deals with similar issues and I have spoken about the need to improve the standard of service we offer our members because it isn't just about recruiting new members we also need to retain the ones we have and to do this we must critically examine how we deal with those who come to us for representation.

http://lawatwork.blogspot.com/2010/11/standards-of-service.html

Nick Venedi

Where did the plate come from?

Amazed that our security obsessed police allowed someone to enter the select committee room with a plate and a bottle of cream? How on earth did that happen? This breach is quite serious and an investigation should take place?

nick venedi
http://www.lawatwork.blogspot.com/

http://nickvenedi.over-blog.com/

Murdoch day

It will be interesting to watch the questioning of the Murdochs later on today and I am hoping that the select committee will do the job right, they must not appear to be scoring political points and at the same time not be afraid to ask what needs to be asked.

nick venedi

Cyprus rally, by Nick Venedi

British Cypriots and politicians from across Britain’s political spectrum battled the elements in great numbers yesterday, in a show of solidarity against Turkey’s intransigence over efforts to end its continuing illegal military occupation of the northern part of Cyprus. The National Federation of UK Cypriots’ annual demonstration at the Turkish Embassy, march through central London and rally at Trafalgar Square saw thousands of protestors make their voices heard, often through torrential rain, to deliver a clear message to the Conservative-led Coalition Government.
by Nick Venedi


nick venedi

Strategy and action?

I am hoping that the unions that did not take part in the 30 June day of action will come up with a strategy to challenge the government on its attack on public sector pensions otherwise we will be losing this battle as well?

nick venedi

Good for democracy, by Nick Venedi

It is good and healthy that democratic principles of accountability will be adhered to and that those who have acquired a great deal of power in the media will be brought to justice over the NOTW scandal.

nick venedi

by Nick Venedi

Louis Walsh

THhe papers report that Louis Walsh who was falsly accused of sexual assault had considered killing himself after the allegations were made. This would have been a great shame as Louis was of course inocent of the accusation. But something has to be done to protect those who are put in this position.

Occupied island

Cyprus remains the only occupied state within the European union, this is the result of the Turkish occupation 37 years ago. The island remains divided despite efforts to resolve the problem.

nick venedi

The euro

Can the euro survive If the Italian finances go the same way as Gteece and Portugal? It would
Appear that the euro may not survive the additional pressure.

Greek debt crisis

Finance Minister Venizelos reassured the Greek people yeasterday that efforts are being made to ensure that servicing of the huge loan and its cost are being negotiated downwards. It is irresponsible for opposition leade Samaras to keep criticising the governement when he knows fully that he himself would have to take the same if not more drastic measures.

nick venedi

http://lawatwork.blogspot.com/2011/07/animal-experiments.html

Some good links

Good links from nick's blog

http://www.blogger.com/profile/12101637440537217369

http://www.strongerunions.org/2010/07/01/facility-time-here-we-go-again/

http://www.politicus.org.uk/news/the-world-of-nick-venedi-greek-crisis

nick venedi

animal experiments

I was furious to read an article in the Sunday Times last week which dealt with the treatment of young dogs by medical research companies in this country.




The dogs are kept in very small cages and are only allowed out once a week for a total of 20 minutes. As a dog owner myself I know that 'man's best friend' needs regular exercises, love and attention and it is a total disgrace that a nation of animal lovers allows this sort of behaviour. When are we going to learn to treat other creatures better? I understand the need perhaps for experiments but it is not right to treat these kind and loving animals like objects.
 
nick venedi
I was furious to read an article in the Sunday Times last week which dealt with the treatment of young dogs by medical research companies in this country.




The dogs are kept in very small cages and are only allowed out once a week for a total of 20 minutes. As a dog owner myself I know that 'man's best friend' needs regular exercises, love and attention and it is a total disgrace that a nation of animal lovers allows this sort of behaviour. When are we going to learn to treat other creatures better? I understand the need perhaps for experiments but it is not right to treat these kind and loving animals like objects.
 
I was furious to read an article in the Sunday Times last week which dealt with the treatment of young dogs by medical research companies in this country.



The dogs are kept in very small cages and are only allowed out once a week for a total of 20 minutes. As a dog owner myself I know that 'man's best friend' needs regular exercises, love and attention and it is a total disgrace that a nation of animal lovers allows this sort of behaviour. When are we going to learn to treat other creatures better? I understand the need perhaps for experiments but it is not right to treat these kind and loving animals like objects.
 
I was furious to read an article in the Sunday Times last week which dealt with the treatment of young dogs by medical research companies in this country.




The dogs are kept in very small cages and are only allowed out once a week for a total of 20 minutes. As a dog owner myself I know that 'man's best friend' needs regular exercises, love and attention and it is a total disgrace that a nation of animal lovers allows this sort of behaviour. When are we going to learn to treat other creatures better? I understand the need perhaps for experiments but it is not right to treat these kind and loving animals like objects.
 
nick venedi
 

domestic violence

Not clear as to whether the rise in the figures re domestic violence and abuse are up by 35% because of wider reporting or because our society is becoming more violent.




The majority of those who suffer are women in abusive relationships. I know for a fact of few women in north London who have had problems with their partners and have been reluctant and in some instances terrified to report incidents. This is of course not the right thing to do but you can understand the difficulties these women have when they will in some instances have to face criticism from those withing their own communities. Many community leaders refuse to admit there is a problem but this is not the case at all and we all know it. More should be done to help and support those in need and cutting down budgets that finance certain schemes is completely unacceptable.
 
nick venedihttp://www.strongerunions.org/2010/07/01/facility-time-here-we-go-again/
 

more links

http://lambethunison.blogspot.com/2009/01/annual-report-of-branch-secretary-nick.html

nick venedi

good sites

http://www.strongerunions.org/2010/07/01/facility-time-here-we-go-again/

nick venedi

cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus was invaded in July 1974, the invasion by the huge Turkish army created 200,000 refugees, people who were forced out of their own homes, around 2,500 civilians were killed on both sides. Turkey occupied 37 % of the island and later on in the 1980s declared a state in the north part that no country recognises apart from Turkey.




The situation continues and the issue of reunification remains unresolved. There are numerous UN resolutions making it clear that there is only one Cyprus Republic and talks have been taking place but with no result.



It is my belief that the reason there hasn't been a solution is because of the immaturity of politicians on both sides and the intransigence of Turkish foreign policy. Turkey insists that their military should have control over the island something that is of course unacceptable to the Republic.



I am hoping that the two communities will be able to see that they can definitely live together in peace and harmony. I see members of the Greek and Turkish community forming close relations and friendships here in north London so there is no reason as to why that can't be done on the island. Remove the military occupation of the north part and unify the island. That is what all sensible people would want. The rule of international law must apply to the Turkish military as well!!!
 
nick venedi
 
http://www.lawatwork.blogspot.com/

Strike action

Jon Rogers is right to say that we need to ensure that we have unified action across all the unions if our efforts to stop the government over its attack on our pension scheme is to have any Chance of success. Dave Prentis is also correct to say that one day of action isn't going to be enough. I think we all know that!


But coming from the front line and having seen efforts that my own branch was involved with for more than 20 years I would say that 3 things are important for success.

http://www.lawatwork.blogspot.com/

nick venedi

Cyprus trategy

Twelve people have been killed and 62 injured and Cyprus main power station has been destroyed. Significant damage to private properties and utility supplies. This is the result of what appears to be criminal negligence on behalf of officials who left containers full of munitions exposed to the elements for more than two years without cover, so every H&S regulation was ignored..




The huge explosion at the Evangelos Florakis naval base at Mari in the early hours Monday killed the navy chief and the base commander along with four other sailors and six fire-fighters. Two Ministers have already resigned and there is a huge demand for a full inquiry into how this was allowed to happen.
 
nick venedi

Cyprus

The President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom, Peter Droussiotis, is this week calling on UK Cypriots and friends of Cyprus to demonstrate their collective commitment to a free, united Cyprus. Mr Droussiotis is urging British Cypriots and friends of the island to remind Prime Minister David Cameron of the strength of opposition to Turkey’s continuing military occupation of Cyprus’s northern part, by joining a picket, march and rally in London on Sunday 17th July 2011.




The annual rally, organised by the Federation to mark Turkey’s military invasion of Cyprus in July 1974, is the biggest opportunity for the UK Cypriot community and friends of Cyprus to voice their feelings on the tragic and scandalous division which still plagues the island 37 years after the Turkish army invaded and occupied its northern territory.

nick venedi



Mr Droussiotis called for a renewed effort by UK Cypriots, saying:



“It is as important as ever that we demonstrate our support for a free and united Cyprus, as well as our opposition to the illegal Turkish military occupation. A solution is eminently achievable if the international community puts pressure on Turkey and encourages the right environment for a settlement. And our Government in the United Kingdom must be made aware that our community in this country will not give up on Cyprus.



“The ongoing dialogue on the island must not be allowed to break down on account of Turkish intransigence. The United Kingdom has particular obligations to Cyprus, as a Guarantor Power of the island’s independence and territorial integrity, to use its influence over Turkey to ensure that the latter works genuinely for a just and lasting settlement. Turkey must no longer block progress and that message must get through to Ankara. The Cypriot community in the UK must remind the British Government of its special responsibilities to Cyprus.”



Sunday’s actions will begin with picketing outside the Turkish Embassy in Belgrave Square from 3.00pm where a letter of protest addressed to the Turkish ambassador will be posted at the Turkish embassy. This will be followed by a march through central London to Trafalgar Square where a rally will be held at 4.30pm. A Federation delegation will hand in a petition to the British Prime Minster at 10 Downing Street immediately before the rally.



The main speaker at the event will be Cyprus Government Spokesman Mr Stefanos Stefanou. Numerous British Parliamentarians and MEPs will join Mr Droussiotis, as well as representatives of Cypriot refugee organisations and occupied municipalities in Cyprus, on the platform in Trafalgar Square to show their solidarity with the Cyprus cause.



ENDS

b sky b

Well didn't take much of an interest in this take over before and why should I? But it now looks like Vince Cable was right. It is not healthy for a democratic country to allow for one individual to gain control over a large section of the media especially if what he or they take over can be influenced by their politics? This can't be right?

nick venedi

domestic abuse

is still the case that most murder victims are killed by someone they know and more often than not by someone who lives with them or they know quite well. That has not changed.




But very little is done to help women who are often the victims of violent and abusive husbands or boyfriends. The police will rarely act when given information and they will more often than not wait until some major incident takes place. This is, more often than not, very late.



It would appear that even though we have matured and have moved on in many ways as a society our sophistication has not changed attitudes towards women in abusive relationships and I think much more needs to be done to change that balance.


http://www.womensaid.org.uk/?gclid=CMvtr_219qkCFdkz3wodfHPZaw
 
nick venedi

freedom of the press

A friend pointed out last night that the News of the World has been in business for 164 years so, according to him, it was sad that it has been closed down. I can understand why someone can feel sentimental about the death of a paper (I wouldn't call it newspaper) and I also feel that the proprietor is killing the journal to deflect the real issue in question.


Glad of course that the people who work for NOTW will be found other jobs and I hope they will be protected. The fact is that some news organisations have gone beyond what is sensible journalism and have abused the right of expression. A new law which ensures that ordinary people are not subjected to abuse is introduced quickly but at the same time we must not censor real and true stories.
 
nick venedi

freedom of expression

We are all for having freedom of expression and indeed that is why and how some of us are able to write blogs such as this one, but the freedom comes also with the obligation to act in a responsible way and not to use methods that are wrong or unacceptable to get information.




It is good that the paper accused of wrong doings will be closing down but of course those who work there will be effected severely and pay the price once again.
 
nick venedi

euro

I was astonished to hear on Greek television a demand made by the Finland PM who wants Greece and the other country's that are getting the loans from Euro land that they would need to mortgage most of the property owned by the state as a form of a guarantee. The talk in Greece is that the country is slowly losing its independence and there are now questions over sovereighty. I do not think for a single minute that the Greek state does not need to implement reforms to improve systems for tax collection etc but at the same time it is not right that the country is now been told what to do? Is this what European Federalism means? And do the measures involve the poorest members of society having to pay for the mistakes? This cant be right?

D Prentis speech

I reproduce below the statement from our General Secretary Dave Prentis on the NHS.




'Our National Health Service celebrates its 63rd birthday this week. It is one of our greatest achievements that has saved the lives and stopped the suffering of countless millions, regardless of their ability to pay.



We celebrate, too, this week the men and women who worked tirelessly from the very start to make the NHS what it is today.



But our NHS faces its greatest challenge yet. This coalition government’s Health and Social Care Bill still poses the serious threat of privatisation and a return to the bad old days of queue-jumping by those who can afford to pay.



So, in celebrating 63 years of a great success story, remember we have to do everything in our power to defend it from attack. '

lobby

we had a major event last week held by other unions. It is now important that we develop a strategy within our own union, Unison, which includes a programme of Industrial Action. I am reproducing below a letter written by Jon Rogers, NEC member, inviting branches and individuals to attend the lobby of the Unison NEC. I am sure Jon won't object to me publishing this:


Dear UNISON activist,

The first meeting of UNISON's newly elected National Executive Council takes place from 2pm on Tuesday 12 July to 1pm on Wednesday 13 July. I am sure that one of our main topics of discussion will be the current pensions dispute.

A number of UNISON activists, believing that it is important that we maintain the maximum unity, both between health and local government (and other sectors!) within UNISON and with other trade unions, intend to lobby the NEC members on their way in to the meeting on the morning of Wednesday 13 July.

I am therefore sending this message "unofficially" to UNISON branches in London for whom I have an email address to encourage you to attend this lobby next Wednesday morning, 13 July. I believe that if we are to avoid the trap of "divide and rule" tactics from the Government it is important that we plan now for unified action in the autumn.

The lobby will take place from 8.30am onwards outside the new Headquarters building in the Euston Road (nearest tube, Euston). Those of you on Facebook can access details at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=186388651414998.

time for the banana

Picture this, February 2014 and all is not well in Euro land, more bail outs and the value of the Euro has collapsed, a return to the Mark, Frank, Drachma or Peseta is not possible as they are no where to be seen. English currency remains strong so there is no alternative other than to adopt the banana as the only reliable form of currency in the Euro zone. And of course if nothing else works you can always eat the banana thus getting the feeling of satisfaction...




Can this happen? Of course not but the situation right now in Europe is looking chaotic. Greece has gone down the Khyber pass with Portugal, Ireland, Spain and Italy waiting to join in.



I have always declared my support for the European project for political and not economic reasons but have never expected the current situation to arise. On the other hand how the hell can you have common currencies between states with completely different and unequal economies? And how do you have monetary union when there is no central bank regulating all economies in the zone with real powers? Call me old fashion but I would prefer to see the banana!!

banana currency

I don't think there will be many tears shed if the euro was ditched in favor of a new currency, lets call it the banana? Its obvious the euro has not worked out so lets go for a banana? You can at least eat a banana if it's value goes down... just a thought..

Greek crisis

European Ministers agreed the 5th installment of loans to Greece. The Greek press has welcomed this move but the main opposition party ND (Conservative) made it clear that they will not be voting with the government when it comes to budget setting later on in the year. That vote would require 180 MPs to be in favor and the PASOK government can only rely on 155. Does this mean that there will be an election soon and if yes how would the 'agreement' with Europe work? Its a mess!

leaders

Its nothing new and it always seems to happen. We always tend to end up hating those who lead us mainly because they make difficult decisions when in power that we disagree with.




I have a slight difficulty with this one as well. I have to confess that I am not too keen on the man as he displayed a huge level of arrogance following the biggest demonstration ever against the war in Iraq. He ignored all those voices and took us into an unpopular war. I don't think history will forgive him for that. But at the same time he did win 3 elections for the Labour party and he was quite dynamic.



I would say that all leaders are always disliked after they end their term in office. This is fuelled by those left behind who are paranoid about the level of influence an ex leader can exert. It happened to Thacher, Churchill, Blair and now Brown and it will continue happening for ever. It also happens in smaller organisations where a leader moves out, I have experienced that myself but I am big enough to know that's how it works. There are always those who appreciate what one has done and they are what matters.

Sick pay rates

The standard rate of statutory sick pay increases from £79.15 to £81.60 per week. Information on the new rates (PDF format, 232K) can be viewed on the Department for Work and Pensions website.

Difficulties in retirement

A bleak picture of retirement has emerged , with a study revealing that millions of people will have to work in retirement, or struggle with barely enough income to survive. And while it is worrying enough that over 50% of those over 55 do not have savings, even more alarming is the level of debts older people are carrying.So just how bad have things become?Among the most shocking findings of the report is that one in ten people over the age of 75 are still paying the mortgage, with an average outstanding debt of £72,500. Some 20% of those over 55 still have a mortgage, with an average of £64,511 left to pay on it.This is of course of great concern to those members who have retired with average pensions falling and with government proposals to changing the way pay increases are awarded. More should be done for those in retirement to link with 'parent branches' and join the fight that we will all have to be involved with soon.

Nick Venedi

http://www.blogsitelist.com/detail/the-world-of-nick-venedi-9194.htm

Action on Elder Abuse plea for donations, Nick Venedi

Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) works to protect, and prevent the abuse of, vulnerable older adults. We were the first charity to address these problems and are the only charity in the UK and in Ireland working exclusively on the issue today. Consequently, when you provide support to us, or make a donation, you can be sure that it will be used exclusively on issues relating to elder abuse and nothing else. Our work is fundamental to challenging elder abuse in the UK and we constantly need financial support to continue our activities. Although we are as effective as many of the bigger charities, we receive only a fraction of their income. Help us continue to make a difference. There are a variety of options for making donations to us. Use text on your mobile phone, the Just Giving logo, or click on the 'Support us' link to find out more.

Nick Venedi

some links Nick Venedi

http://www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/nick-venedis-world


Nick Venedi

Pensions crisis, Nick Venedi

I am reproducing Dave Prentis statement found on the Unison website on the erosion in value of pensions.'This week, news emerged that the value of public sector workers' pensions has dropped by up to 25%. This is due in part to the government's decision to use the CPI rather than the RPI to calculate pension increases.This means the cost of providing public sector pensions has already fallen and workers are losing out when they retire. Further attempts to cut pensions for social workers, teaching assistants and nurses would be unjustified.It's time the government turned its attention instead to the private sector, where two thirds of companies do not pay a penny towards their workers' pensions – leaving taxpayers with a multi billion pound means-tested benefits bill

http://www.blogknox.com/blogs/UK%20Labour%20Party/old/201012.html

Nick Venedi

http://www.blogsitelist.com/detail/the-world-of-nick-venedi-9194.htm

Nick Venedi, Lambeth diaries

So myself and 5 others arrived in April 1988 from the heroic battlefield that was LSPU M Thacher got her way and managed to abolish anything associated with the GLC so this was the end.
We 'landed' in Lambeth after a long struggle with bureaucracy but we were not welcomed as heros as I imagined that we would be given the role of LSPU. In fact not many people in the branch knew who we were or what we did...if anything they were suspicious of us so I guess this shaped the way we viewed things for a long time to come. It was obvious that nothing was safe and that the Leviathan (that's what I call Lambeth Council) was in constant turmoil we had to learn to live with that and knew that the GLC was dead for ever.
The brief reign of Linda Bellos was followed by a shorter rise to power by Dick Serabji who replaced Linda who I regarded as a personal friend, in 1989. Dick was then removed by Joan Twelves who was a close ally of Gregg Tucker. Joan Twelves became the Leader and Gregg Tucker (from the RMT or maybe Aslef) took over the position of Central Services Chair. He ended up being in constant battle with Chief Officers and that, in itself, created instability within the Directorate. I would assume, although I have no evidence of this, that this was the reason as to why Gregg and Joan wanted to do away with the centre!
Joan Twelves decided to reorganise again and brought in Reg Race who then produced the Reg Race report at great expense if I may say so. This was around 1990 shortly after I became Convenor for DMS. It was a very difficult period for all of us but I managed to convince Joan Twelves, with help from Mike Waller who was then the Branch Secretary to allow those who were in a position of redundancy to have 3 redeployment opportunities and 3 appeals against any decisions to dismiss. This later on established the principle of White, Green and Pink redeployee status (denotes priority) I can safely say that no one who wanted to stay was made redundant so we did, in a way, achieve a small victory which gave me and those supporting me the confidence and energy to continue the struggle. I had an extensive network of support which came mainly from the reactivated Black Workers Group who were close allies. I started attending Convenors committee every week to witness battles and carniage which made me wonder if we were all on the the same side. I was young and new to this so a bit shocked!! I vaguely remember a skinny fella, called Jon Rogers, standing up at branch meetings advocating revolution, he was around my age and wondered what planet (at the time) he had landed from...
It became clear and obvious to me that we had to organise ourselves better and have trained shop stewards able to defend attacks from the employer but I was, at the same time, anxious to retain a balance between being anti everything and everyone and work with the employer to ensure that the interests of members were protected. I am a reformist and have always argued that change should be achieved using legal means. So the Reg Race report/reorganisation threw me at the deep end and forced me to come to terms with the realisation that I had to lead from the front so I waved goodbye to the opportunity of finishing a Cipfa qualification and I took up arms (literary speaking of course) I never believed that Lambeth was a bad employer and that everyone in top management positions was instinctively bad on the contrary I always knew that those who chose to come and work in Lambeth knew of its history and splendid past and retained within them a degree of honor and integrity. They were not the enemy but were forced into a hard position by a reactionary government, this, I think, helped me later on to persuade Chief Executives/officers to follow advice from me which in tern help us. There was inevitably the odd wanker to be found in the midst of despair and confusion but in general I felt and still do that those who work for Lambeth Council are a special breed of essentially good people who believe in public service. Even the Tories in Lambeth are a bad version of Liberals....

Nick Venedi

Nick Venedi, the Savoy hotel

http://pdfuser.com/search/the+world+of+nick+venedi++the+savoy+hotel

Nick Venedi

Nick Venedi, the diaries

It all started when I was redeployed to Lambeth from the LSPU (London Strategic Policy Unit) in 1988. The process of shifting the 200 staff to the 8 participating boroughs was rather complicated and it involved us having to go through interviews followed by written tests. I do not recall NALGO objecting to us having to go through these difficulties at the time although I know that I objected and stopped tests for a reorganisation when I became a Convenor two years later.
Myself, Kienda Hoji, who later on became one of the most legendary Chairs of the Branch, arrived sometime after April 1988. I don't think we were greeted with hostility by the NALGO branch but the reception was rather wet. Lambeth NALGO was facing a huge crisis at the time with Linda Bellos trying desperately to work with the unions and appease those in her own party who were openly hostile towards her. I knew Bellos from my work with the LSPU as she was the Chair of that body. Margaret Hodge was the Secretary. Lambeth NALGO had, at the time, more than 5000 members.
It is worth mentioning that prior to our arrival there was resistance from the HR section who did not think it was right for us to be taken in, this is despite the fact that our contracts contained clauses that made it clear that in the event of abolition we would be assimilated by one of the 9 boroughs participating in the post GLC body. So there was a lot of hostility from the HR side and not much interest shown by NALGO. The only people that were helpful were Peter Woodward and Amanda Baird who were, at the time, Convenors in Lambeth. Mike Waller, the then Branch Secretary, persuaded the Branch to work with the plan and proved to be helpful at the end. I did not know Jon of the Rogers at the time so no idea what his position was on this. The LSPU were, to start with, seen as outsiders by the Lambeth branch. This of course changed dramatically with me and Kienda standing for election to positions and rising within the union structures, but this was a struggle and we had to fight and challenge negative attitudes and perceptions.
At the end the complications with us being redeployed were resolved with Linda Bello's intervention. She instructed officers in Lambeth to get on with it (in that special Linda Bellos assertiveness that she was famous for) so we were 'allowed' to have the interviews and the tests after Linda put her foot down.
I think the incident and the events around it which took two months to resolve shaped the way I would view and see the union and those in management positions. It made myself and others who came with me, more suspicious and more determined to be involved at the front of any fight that could have affected our future. I was in my twenties at the time so the unstable period taught me a lesson. The lesson was simple, don't sit around waiting for others to determine your destiny, take control and be involved with a union that is, at the end of the day, yours

Nick Venedi more pictures

Nick Venedi

Welcome 2011