Migrants rights action in Brixton

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Lambeth UNISON and Unite Community branch organised an action outside Olive Morris House on 4 July to call for migrant rights and for our communities in Lambeth to stand together.

Lambeth has one of the largest Portuguese communities outside Portugal, and a large Polish community, alongside many other nationalities of people effected by the vote to leave the EU. An organiser from a Polish community organisation came along to thank us for the action and plans are afoot for more events in the near future. Please get in touch to help.

Unity and solidarity in the months and days ahead will be essential.

Organisers also wanted to send a message of support to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a man of principle who is standing up for the rest of us and needs our support.

Photos are online at Brixton Buzz http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2016/07/in-photos-brixton-workers-stage-solidarity-with-migrants-rally-mon-4th-july/

Support Councillor Rachel Heywood!

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Councillor Rachel Heywood’s brave public call for support with local residents and workers fighting to keep libraries open is a real inspiration. Clearly the Labour Council leaders were furious with her—they voted to suspend her as a Labour Councillor for 6 months.  Now other councillors are speaking out—a sign that the growing movement against the demolition of our homes and the closure of our libraries is having an effect. The Progress dominated council are losing the argument, and if they carry on like this then it will have a damaging impact on Labour’s local performance in the next council elections.

Please sign the petition for her reinstatement https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/support-rachel-heywood-and-lift-the-suspension-now

Housing Services Phase 1: The answer to our problems – three more Assistant Directors?

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Staff are overstretched, the HRA is facing financial pressure and workers fear for the future of their jobs. Here at Lambeth, our bosses have the perfect solution—more high paid managers!

The Director of Housing has launched “phase one” of a restructure which has been expected since Lambeth Living returned to the Council last summer.

The “Phase One” proposals do not threaten any redundancies – quite the reverse. As well as changing a number of reporting lines (mostly for managers) the proposals seek to create three new Assistant Director positions. The Director has told the trade unions that, in “Phase Two” he will aim to move more staff into front-line housing management roles.

Because there are no redundancies proposed, the Council is permitted to allow only a short (one week) period for consultation – UNISON encourages members to look closely at the proposals so that we can respond as soon as possible.

UNISON want to know

  • Given the financial pressure on the Housing Revenue Account (and the Council’s Budget generally) how can we afford three additional senior posts?
  • How can we justify more highly paid managers in an already top heavy Council?
  • Since black workers are underrepresented at senior levels why is there no Equality Impact Assessment and no proposals for positive action in filling senior posts?
  •  As there are no proposals for redundancies in “Phase One” will the Council assure us of no compulsory redundancies in Housing in “Phase Two”?

The Council has ruled out compulsory redundancies in libraries – where UNISON members have taken strike action. If we want to protect our interests as workers in Housing we need to be prepared to stand up for ourselves.

If you are a UNISON member – contact your shop steward or Branch Secretary, Ruth Cashman

(RCashman[at]lambeth.gov.uk). If you are not a trade union member visit https://www.unison.org.uk/join/ now!