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