#UNDC13 Chair of Standing Order's tickling stick

Here we have the Chair of UNISON Standing Orders Committee, Clytus Williams, giving his traditional Friday morning final report to conference with the aid of music and a Knotty Ash tickling stick. 

We were after all in Liverpool and I think his version of the Ken Dodd classic was his best SO report ever. 

How can I ever forget the words  

"Happiness to me is a Group debate,  A Composite that we all rate".

 

#UNDC13 Greater London UNISON NDC Social - Wednesday late

I am well behind on my posting on last weeks UNISON NDC conference so will try and catch up over the weekend.

Top UNISON social of the conference was of course that of London Region. The Thistle hotel was an excellent location with a private bar and disco area with a balcony overlooking the Mersey.

We all had a free first drink due to the hotel messing up the regional delegate meeting on the Monday  evening.

Conference is not just about speeches, debates and fringes. Delegates have been known to have the odd drink and to let their hair down once or thrice.

Proceeds from (£5) ticket sales, advertising and raffle went to UNISON Welfare/There for you.

Many thanks to regional staff for running around and organising it. 

UNISON National Delegate Conference 2013 :Tuesday

Today is the start of our National Delegate Conference in ACC in Liverpool.

I understand that there are 2500 delegates and visitors present and it is one of the largest trade union gatherings in Europe.

The conference was welcomed to Liverpool by a special guest, Comedy TV personality, Ricky Tomlinson. Ricky introduced his home town as a City with two famous football teams - Liverpool FC and Liverpool FC reserves! However he made a serious point about his conviction and that of  the"Shrewsberry 24" pickets who he believes were "fitted up" during the national building workers strike in 1972. 

After the President's Address, Standing Orders Committee, Annual and Financial report, business started on a Composite motion on Employment  and Trade Union rights. 

During lunch I went to a Fringe (which I will post upon later) then business started off at 2pm with th emotion "Kick it Out - Racism has no place in football". 

Next was our General Secretary Dave Prentis (see picture) who gave his annual speech to the conference. 
Dave's main announcement was to call on the TUC to organise a mass rally and lobby of this year’s Tory party conference, in defence of the NHS.“And if they don’t, we will because we are the folk to fight for it.” He also said “We need Labour on our side. But for too long we’ve built the careers of Labour politicians, only to be let down when we’ve needed them most.”

After his speech there were important debates on Outsourcing and Privatisation; NHS campaigning and NHS and Social Care integration.  Its now 4.40pm and I'm not sure if there will be time for me to speak on the housing motion 33 next?

Update: Nope - not enough time. Conference closed. Finance Fringe next. 

Dear Mr Jones - A Residents Association letter on the success of HMR

(and why demoliton is important) 



Dear Mr. Jones, Having read your blog, I thought here is someone who has common sense and sees the real picture, who listens to residents opinions, much like our Councillor Alan Dean.

Let me tell you of our experience.

The Welsh streets in Liverpool 8 seems to have been the catalyst that started the interference by SAVE and Empty Homes Agency, as we have