On Wednesday and Thursday next week, the two biggest unions in the public sector will hold national strikes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland over the latest Local Government pay offer. This is over a below inflation rate offer of only 2.45% being made by the employers. Inflation is up by 4.3%, Food is up 6%, transport 7%, mortgages 8%, electricity and gas 15%. 2.45%? It does not add up. Pay in the private sector is rising by 4%. Some 600,000 UNISON workers are due to go on strike.  Most Town hall services and many schools will be closed.

In a move brokered by Amicus Unite Deputy General Secretary Tony Dubbins, the Grassroots Alliance has agreed to back Mike Griffiths for General Secretary, having secured the withdrawal of "wildcard" left-wing NEC candidate John Wiseman, the Labour candidate in Westmoreland & Lonsdale.

Wiseman has used the pages of Labourhome.org to present a platform that a number of left-wingers have found attractive, and which is known to have caused concern among Grassroots Alliance figures, who are not presenting "celebrity" candidate Walter Wolfgang for a further two-year bid - and who fear a split in the left-wing vote.

While John Wiseman should be proud to have secured from the Grassroots Alliance an undertaking to be more democratic in two years time (at the next NEC election) a further concession the left-wing slate has made is a promise to support Amicus Official Mike Griffiths' application for General Secretary of the Labour Party.

The Grassroots Alliance may well save a seat on the NEC through this deal - and I certainly hold no brief against Griffiths - but is this really the best way to recruit a General Secretary for the party in difficult times?

John Wiseman's announcement can be read here.

campaigntv.org update from gez.sagar@campaigntv.org


Campaigntv got its first nasty attack today.  The BNP have spotted our video about how they were wiped out in the West Midlands at the May elections.  Looks like we touched a nazi nerve.

Committed2Equality (c2e), the leading UK employment diversity consultancy, Unite, the largest union in the UK, and TMP, the online political magazine, will be hosting a fringe event at the Labour Party Conference on Monday 24 September from 5.30-7pm in the Franklyn Suite, Connaught Hotel, in Bournemouth.

The event – “Bridging the gap: narrowing the employment divide” – will explore the practical and pragmatic steps the Labour Government needs to take to ensure fair employment and improve the employment and work opportunities for disadvantaged groups.

Last night after the march I went to the annual trade union, May Day reception, laid on by London Mayor, Ken Livingston, at City Hall, SE1. It was held in the "London Living Room" which is on the 9th floor of City Hall. It has brilliant views over central London and the Thames. There is an open air balcony and you can see for miles.

The place was packed (200 odd?) with the great and good of TIGMOO. Ken lived up to his reputation of being a good host, lots of lovely grub and a drink or two. There was a good presence from London UNISON (See picture with TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber).

Ken gave a speech first. Concentrating about the London Assembly elections next year (2008), the threat from the BNP and the lies that they tell (e.g. during the local council elections last year in Barking, the BNP spread the lie that Ken was giving £50,000 to every African who wanted to move to that area). He made a good point that there is a lot of cynicism amongst the public about what "politicians" say (I would agree to a point). However, many people will trust what their trade union and shop steward says. So if the union tells its members, don't believe the rubbish that the fascists are putting out, members are more likely to pay attention. I think this is largely true.

Brendan gave a thought provoking speech about the role of trade unions and the way we have to adapt to our modern day society. Which I suppose was a lead to Tony Woodley, Joint Secretary of the brand new union UNITE which was born on May 1. UNITE merges the Transport & General (whom I use to be a member and shop steward) and Amicus (who I also use to be a member). UNITE is now probably the biggest trade union in the UK. Tony is a fluent and natural speaker. I could see in him now as the former convenor in Vauxhall's car plant, Ellesmere Port. It was interesting that he expressed regret that Ken was no longer a MP, since he would have has his support as a candidate to be the Labour Leader! Ken's face beamed unabashed. However, I am certain he must play the game "what if" from time to time (don't we all).

Due to UNITE, there are various rumours about what UNISON and the GMB will do in response. I teased the GMB Tower Hamlets branch secretary yesterday that UNISON and the GMB were about to merge. He replied "never in my life time, never in my life time!" He's like me, a young chap (okay, okay - mid 40's is now young). Maybe so. However, I do not expect there to be a stand alone "GMB" or "UNISON" in 5 years time. We live in interesting times. Why can't we have single industry/service unions?

All in all, an excellent end to an excellent day. Tomorrow morning (taken day off), I am off with a car load of East London comrades to Thurrock, Essex to help out in the election. Good practice, since the BNP are fighting all their seats.

Good luck to all Labour candidates tomorrow.