labourlist--2020-12-18--All I want for Christmas… is a government that listens to people

It was 9.39pm on Sunday , March 8th , when I was alerted to the first positive case of Covid-19 within Greenwich .
It seems like a lifetime ago .
In the nine months that followed , we have faced extraordinary challenges as a community .
We were first confronted with a personal protective equipment crisis .
Having been promised that supplies were on their way , after five days I had to turn to schools to help solve the first major crisis of the pandemic .
Our hospital was close to bursting and a number of patients were stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get the PPE needed to safely move them .
Exasperated and out of ideas , I took to social media in an appeal for help .
Within minutes , my community responded , and I was flooded with offers of help , including from the ever helpful Mr Greig , head of Plumstead Manor School whom I have known since I was 11 as he was a teacher at my secondary school .
I was out collecting this PPE myself , because everyone was up to their necks with work , responding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many boxes of gloves , aprons and science goggles that he could muster up in the dark , Mr Greig dispatched me back to the Town Hall , with a promise of further help if needed .
By the next morning , the Town Hall foyer was filling up with more donations , from businesses , residents and schools like Charlton Manor , one of our special schools providing support for students with complex special educational needs .
On day one , our Greenwich family of schools were at the heart of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the initial lockdown arrived just a few weeks later .
I was proud that every school in Greenwich remained open for our most vulnerable children , whilst their parents and carers went off to do their bit to keep us all safe .
The sons and daughters of nurses , cleaners , shop workers , bin men and women , the children of the dedicated public servants whose grit and determination saw us through those early days .
Whilst the nation gathered on doorsteps and in windows to clap , bang and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our schools to meet the teachers , the teaching assistants and school staff who were putting themselves on the line , day in and day out , to care for others .
Our community hub swung into action , working with schools to deliver food to those who were shielding .
But it wasn ’ t just food that was needed ; it was other basic needs .
I remember talking to Rachel , the amazing headteacher of Willowdene , who look after some of the most vulnerable children in our borough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing for families .
Not just delivering food to those who were shielding but shopping for the specific foods that Willowdene children required .
Arranging for a specific exercise bike to be taken to the home of a child who needed physical exercise but couldn ’ t leave the house .
Teachers and council staff giving up their weekends and opening the playground so individual families could escape from their flats , and get the space and time they needed outdoors in a safe and secure way .
Far from closing schools in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those who needed them .
There is absolutely no doubt that reopening was a challenge , and we spent hours and hours working alongside all of our schools , regardless of their governance structure , to reopen all of them safely .
Our headteachers were truly magnificent , each on developing individual plans bespoke to each school .
Whilst the government fixates on its ‘ one-size-fits-all ’ approach to education , our heads were creating risk assessments for classrooms , playgrounds and the most vulnerable staff .
Forming bubbles and plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in corridors between geography and science .
It was truly inspirational .
A Blitz-like spirit in every school .
In the last week of lockdown , we had 4,067 children in Greenwich schools , a number that had grown each week of the crisis .
Once the mountains of guidance ( ever-changing ! )
had been digested and implemented , Greenwich schools implemented a range of staggered starts and nifty tricks to get everyone in safely .
Summer holidays came and went in a flash .
The number of new cases reduced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moments in those balmy summer evenings when we had no new cases for days on end .
What bliss !
The school term started well , with routines well understood by pupils and parents and school staff largely in good spirits .
The exams fiasco had been difficult for many of our young people .
There were ongoing conversations about what to do about those that had lost out , but the rhythms and rituals that govern school life kicked in and that first term was largely uneventful .
School leaders managed sporadic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with teacher friends and got a weekly analysis to show what was happening .
At Windrush primary , the last school I taught at before being elected as the council leader , they had a weekly attendance that averaged 97 % .
Term 2 had always been my worst as a teacher , and it turned out to be just the same as leader of the council .
The mornings are darker and colder , the days get shorter and the physical energy it takes to teach becomes more and more intense .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all children , and then you collide with the magic of Christmas .
I say magic , but Christmas in a school environment is the closest thing to organised chaos I ’ ve ever experienced .
Year group leaders and senior leadership teams enforce periods of allocated celebration with the precision of army generals .
Discos , dinners , assemblies , craft making , food collecting are timed for classes and year groups – and that ’ s done well before you get anywhere close to planning to teach the story and meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are decked , the glitter comes out and by the beginning of December , the opening bars of Mariah Carey ’ s Christmas anthem is enough to send shivers down the spine of anyone aged over 11 working in the building .
And this is without the added complications that Covid Christmas would bring .
By the beginning of November in Greenwich , things began to creak .
We had a cumulative total of 50 positive cases in our schools , resulting in 1,349 children self-isolating and 124 staff out of action .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and four out of five of our EHCP kids , or those known to social care , were in .
As always , Greenwich schools were open for business .
As we headed towards the end of November , the normally bright , white lights that illuminate our Greenwich classrooms were flashing amber , as the situation became more challenging .
Over 40 of our educational institutions now had a confirmed case , with 3,070 children in self-isolation and 334 staff in the same boat .
Increased community transmission and stretched resources was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mass testing was being rolled out in Liverpool , but despite repeated calls from myself , no such offer was forthcoming from the government .
I passionately believed , and still do , that well-organised mass testing would make the difference .
But with a diminished workforce here at the council , and a staff group managing everything from care home coordination to keeping the bin service going , there was simply nobody else who could be redeployed to run this in schools .
At the end of last week , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Greenwich .
The usual weekly email arrived to give me the picture across our schools .
The grimmest reading so far .
“ Unfortunately , all the figures are significantly higher than we have recorded on previous weeks , an approximate 40 % -50 % increase .
The total number of children currently self-isolating is now 3,670 and the total number of staff currently self-isolating 314.
” I spoke to three heads late on that Friday night , who described themselves as having the worst week of the pandemic so far .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ already completely closed due to the sheer number of staff who were out of action .
My public health team were starting to report that we were once again seeing a sustained increase in infection numbers within Greenwich , and across the city .
On Sunday , having seen more data , it was clear that there were signs the virus was growing exponentially in Greenwich .
The kind of growth that demanded immediate action .
We had the highest recorded rates of any time since March , and with the increasing numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I talked to my team about actions that we could take that were based on the best interests of children and families in Greenwich .
Nobody likes taking decisions that they know will cause work for others , and disruption to many .
But faced with the data before me , I decided to ask our Greenwich schools to change the way they were doing things in the final few days of term to do what we could to reduce further significant growth .
At no point did we ask schools to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a mixed model of teaching that would reduce the number of movements , but absolutely ensure our vulnerable and key worker children were in school in the same way they were during the lockdown .
I ’ d penned a letter to parents and heads explaining my decision , which was published and shared with headteachers .
There was evidently a gap between those two things happening , which I ’ ve apologised to heads and parents for .
When you ’ re making decisions in real time , occasionally not everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were , I thought it was best to let as many people as possible know what was happening and get the message out there .
On Monday morning , our team spoke to the Department for Education and assured them that we were absolutely committed to keeping all schools open as we have done throughout the pandemic but had a series of local challenges that we felt justified our ask .
Initial feedback was that more children were in isolation , and by the end of the day we had added over 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
The Department advised they would come back to us , and we continued to support schools throughout the day .
At 2.20pm , the school standards minister Nick Gibb issued a letter directly to all school headteachers and governing bodies .
The letter was not CC ’ d to the council as the local education authority , nor did we receive any communication from the Department to advise that it was being sent .
Understandably , school leaders were distressed , and the tone of the letter left a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ The government has made clear its commitment that education and childcare settings should continue to remain open to all children during the coronavirus ( Covid-19 ) outbreak and we have prioritised education even in areas of high and very high transmission throughout this term , with no other local authority area in the country taking this extraordinary step.
” However , by this point , several local authorities were indeed in a similar position to us , and certainly several schools across the country were already completely closed due to severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headmaster Simon Henderson had already written to his parents to advise the school was closing on December 11th because : “ We want to avoid a situation where potentially a very large number of close contacts of positive cases have to self-isolate for 14 days over the Christmas period.
” For good measure , he added : “ The health and wellbeing of the school community is my top priority.
” Whilst I was undoubtedly thinking on a more macro level than Mr Henderson , it was a sentiment I understood entirely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regional Schools Commissioner emailed with a copy of the legal continuity direction issued by the Secretary of State , the first time that these powers had been used .
It was difficult to believe that an attempt to do the right thing with our children and families had descended into the government threatening us with legal action .
For the record , it was never something I ’ d intended to happen – and after a decade of brutal austerity , it was something we could ill afford to do .
Tuesday was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the order , and I wrote to headteachers early Tuesday morning .
I apologised to heads directly in my letter .
Stating : ” I know that each of you has a range of circumstances that you are managing locally and want to say how sorry I am that trying to get the best outcome for Greenwich has escalated in this way , and that both myself and the Director remain completely committed to supporting all Greenwich schools in the best way possible.
” As leader , I have spent a considerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuring that as a council we do the very best for our young residents .
On Wednesday , we distributed over 8,000 breakfast bags to our children on free school meals and in other vulnerable groups , building on the work we ’ ve been in four years to feed our kids in the holidays .
With over 20,000 Greenwich children now living in poverty , this vital work may not be a statutory service , but it is essential work .
It was shocking , though perhaps not surprising , that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term that they were delaying the start of the January term for secondary school students , and that alongside their obligations to support the test and trace service , headteachers and senior leaders would now be spending the best part of the festivities trying to work out what on earth these means for them and their schools .
It is deeply regrettable that rather than collaborate with school leaders and councils in this most difficult term , the government entered into an entirely avoidable confrontation .
Both the local data and the ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground would have been very different from the perception in Whitehall .
When the government issued this legal direction against us on Monday , our infection figure here in Greenwich was 254/100,000 residents .
As I write this on Friday afternoon , my Director of Public Health has advised me that we are now at 309 .
The last few days have been a bit of a blur , with messages coming in from the local community .
And a difficult day yesterday for some of our headteachers , who had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their Christmas celebrations were indeed cancelled , and their children were heading home to self-isolate for the holidays .
In attempting to explain the logic behind the government ’ s end of term testing arrangements , Nick Gibb told BBC News : “ This is a fast-moving pandemic , we have to take action at pace.
” Rather ironic given that on Monday , it was the same minister who had threatened us with court action for trying to do exactly this .
By the time the minister had come around to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children and 420 school staff in self-isolation .
At the end of the week , I still feel I made the right decision for my community .
I ’ m extremely disappointed that more than anything , we ’ re nine months into this pandemic and the government still doesn ’ t trust local government to do the right thing .
When they bypass us , they get it wrong .
PPE .
Shielding boxes .
Testing and tracing .
There are just a few of the examples of problems that could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enabled to get on and do what we do best : serve our communities .
It seems like almost a lifetime ago that I sat on my first ever call with the Secretary of State for Local Government , when he promised to do “ whatever it takes to support us ” .
It is clear that the other side of Christmas is going to be extremely difficult .
We can only hope that the chance of some rest and time out may mean the government returns with a greater appreciation that councils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more important than they have been for the past few months .

It was 9.39pm on Sunday, March 8th, when I was alerted to the first positive case of Covid-19 within Greenwich. It seems like a lifetime ago. In the nine months that followed, we have faced extraordinary challenges as a community. We were first confronted with a personal protective equipment crisis. Having been promised that supplies were on their way, after five days I had to turn to schools to help solve the first major crisis of the pandemic. Our hospital was close to bursting and a number of patients were stuck, blocking beds because we were unable to get the PPE needed to safely move them.
Exasperated and out of ideas, I took to social media in an appeal for help. Within minutes, my community responded, and I was flooded with offers of help, including from the ever helpful Mr Greig, head of Plumstead Manor School whom I have known since I was 11 as he was a teacher at my secondary school. I was out collecting this PPE myself, because everyone was up to their necks with work, responding to the initial emergency. Laden with as many boxes of gloves, aprons and science goggles that he could muster up in the dark, Mr Greig dispatched me back to the Town Hall, with a promise of further help if needed.
By the next morning, the Town Hall foyer was filling up with more donations, from businesses, residents and schools like Charlton Manor, one of our special schools providing support for students with complex special educational needs. On day one, our Greenwich family of schools were at the heart of our response.
Things moved quickly, and the initial lockdown arrived just a few weeks later. I was proud that every school in Greenwich remained open for our most vulnerable children, whilst their parents and carers went off to do their bit to keep us all safe. The sons and daughters of nurses, cleaners, shop workers, bin men and women, the children of the dedicated public servants whose grit and determination saw us through those early days. Whilst the nation gathered on doorsteps and in windows to clap, bang and applaud their bravery, I visited some of our schools to meet the teachers, the teaching assistants and school staff who were putting themselves on the line, day in and day out, to care for others.
Our community hub swung into action, working with schools to deliver food to those who were shielding. But it wasn’t just food that was needed; it was other basic needs. I remember talking to Rachel, the amazing headteacher of Willowdene, who look after some of the most vulnerable children in our borough about the life changing work they were doing for families.
Not just delivering food to those who were shielding but shopping for the specific foods that Willowdene children required. Arranging for a specific exercise bike to be taken to the home of a child who needed physical exercise but couldn’t leave the house. Teachers and council staff giving up their weekends and opening the playground so individual families could escape from their flats, and get the space and time they needed outdoors in a safe and secure way.
Far from closing schools in Greenwich, they became seven-day-a week hubs for those who needed them. There is absolutely no doubt that reopening was a challenge, and we spent hours and hours working alongside all of our schools, regardless of their governance structure, to reopen all of them safely. Our headteachers were truly magnificent, each on developing individual plans bespoke to each school. Whilst the government fixates on its ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to education, our heads were creating risk assessments for classrooms, playgrounds and the most vulnerable staff. Forming bubbles and plans to keep bubbles from mixing, or meeting in corridors between geography and science.
It was truly inspirational. A Blitz-like spirit in every school. In the last week of lockdown, we had 4,067 children in Greenwich schools, a number that had grown each week of the crisis. Once the mountains of guidance (ever-changing!) had been digested and implemented, Greenwich schools implemented a range of staggered starts and nifty tricks to get everyone in safely. Summer holidays came and went in a flash. The number of new cases reduced to double digits, and there were even moments in those balmy summer evenings when we had no new cases for days on end. What bliss!
The school term started well, with routines well understood by pupils and parents and school staff largely in good spirits. The exams fiasco had been difficult for many of our young people. There were ongoing conversations about what to do about those that had lost out, but the rhythms and rituals that govern school life kicked in and that first term was largely uneventful. School leaders managed sporadic infections well. I checked in regularly with teacher friends and got a weekly analysis to show what was happening. At Windrush primary, the last school I taught at before being elected as the council leader, they had a weekly attendance that averaged 97%.
Term 2 had always been my worst as a teacher, and it turned out to be just the same as leader of the council. The mornings are darker and colder, the days get shorter and the physical energy it takes to teach becomes more and more intense. Pressure grows to start seeing progress in all children, and then you collide with the magic of Christmas. I say magic, but Christmas in a school environment is the closest thing to organised chaos I’ve ever experienced.
Year group leaders and senior leadership teams enforce periods of allocated celebration with the precision of army generals. Discos, dinners, assemblies, craft making, food collecting are timed for classes and year groups – and that’s done well before you get anywhere close to planning to teach the story and meaning of Christmas at all. The halls are decked, the glitter comes out and by the beginning of December, the opening bars of Mariah Carey’s Christmas anthem is enough to send shivers down the spine of anyone aged over 11 working in the building.
And this is without the added complications that Covid Christmas would bring. By the beginning of November in Greenwich, things began to creak. We had a cumulative total of 50 positive cases in our schools, resulting in 1,349 children self-isolating and 124 staff out of action. Attendance was stable at around 88% and four out of five of our EHCP kids, or those known to social care, were in. As always, Greenwich schools were open for business.
As we headed towards the end of November, the normally bright, white lights that illuminate our Greenwich classrooms were flashing amber, as the situation became more challenging. Over 40 of our educational institutions now had a confirmed case, with 3,070 children in self-isolation and 334 staff in the same boat. Increased community transmission and stretched resources was beginning to make things extremely difficult indeed.
Mass testing was being rolled out in Liverpool, but despite repeated calls from myself, no such offer was forthcoming from the government. I passionately believed, and still do, that well-organised mass testing would make the difference. But with a diminished workforce here at the council, and a staff group managing everything from care home coordination to keeping the bin service going, there was simply nobody else who could be redeployed to run this in schools.
At the end of last week, we had a turn for the worse here in Greenwich. The usual weekly email arrived to give me the picture across our schools. The grimmest reading so far. “Unfortunately, all the figures are significantly higher than we have recorded on previous weeks, an approximate 40%-50% increase. The total number of children currently self-isolating is now 3,670 and the total number of staff currently self-isolating 314.”
I spoke to three heads late on that Friday night, who described themselves as having the worst week of the pandemic so far. Indeed, two of our schools had already completely closed due to the sheer number of staff who were out of action. My public health team were starting to report that we were once again seeing a sustained increase in infection numbers within Greenwich, and across the city.
On Sunday, having seen more data, it was clear that there were signs the virus was growing exponentially in Greenwich. The kind of growth that demanded immediate action. We had the highest recorded rates of any time since March, and with the increasing numbers of children self-isolating and feedback from headteachers, I talked to my team about actions that we could take that were based on the best interests of children and families in Greenwich.
Nobody likes taking decisions that they know will cause work for others, and disruption to many. But faced with the data before me, I decided to ask our Greenwich schools to change the way they were doing things in the final few days of term to do what we could to reduce further significant growth. At no point did we ask schools to close their doors: we simply asked for a mixed model of teaching that would reduce the number of movements, but absolutely ensure our vulnerable and key worker children were in school in the same way they were during the lockdown.
I’d penned a letter to parents and heads explaining my decision, which was published and shared with headteachers. There was evidently a gap between those two things happening, which I’ve apologised to heads and parents for. When you’re making decisions in real time, occasionally not everything matches up. But given where we were, I thought it was best to let as many people as possible know what was happening and get the message out there.
On Monday morning, our team spoke to the Department for Education and assured them that we were absolutely committed to keeping all schools open as we have done throughout the pandemic but had a series of local challenges that we felt justified our ask. Initial feedback was that more children were in isolation, and by the end of the day we had added over 500 children to those that we knew of on Friday.
The Department advised they would come back to us, and we continued to support schools throughout the day. At 2.20pm, the school standards minister Nick Gibb issued a letter directly to all school headteachers and governing bodies. The letter was not CC’d to the council as the local education authority, nor did we receive any communication from the Department to advise that it was being sent.
Understandably, school leaders were distressed, and the tone of the letter left a lot to be desired. The minister stated: “The government has made clear its commitment that education and childcare settings should continue to remain open to all children during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak and we have prioritised education even in areas of high and very high transmission throughout this term, with no other local authority area in the country taking this extraordinary step.”
However, by this point, several local authorities were indeed in a similar position to us, and certainly several schools across the country were already completely closed due to severe staff shortages. Most famously, Eton headmaster Simon Henderson had already written to his parents to advise the school was closing on December 11th because: “We want to avoid a situation where potentially a very large number of close contacts of positive cases have to self-isolate for 14 days over the Christmas period.” For good measure, he added: “The health and wellbeing of the school community is my top priority.” Whilst I was undoubtedly thinking on a more macro level than Mr Henderson, it was a sentiment I understood entirely.
It was just before 5pm that the Regional Schools Commissioner emailed with a copy of the legal continuity direction issued by the Secretary of State, the first time that these powers had been used. It was difficult to believe that an attempt to do the right thing with our children and families had descended into the government threatening us with legal action. For the record, it was never something I’d intended to happen – and after a decade of brutal austerity, it was something we could ill afford to do.
Tuesday was spent supporting schools to ensure everyone complied with the order, and I wrote to headteachers early Tuesday morning. I apologised to heads directly in my letter. Stating: ”I know that each of you has a range of circumstances that you are managing locally and want to say how sorry I am that trying to get the best outcome for Greenwich has escalated in this way, and that both myself and the Director remain completely committed to supporting all Greenwich schools in the best way possible.”
As leader, I have spent a considerable amount of time supporting our schools and ensuring that as a council we do the very best for our young residents. On Wednesday, we distributed over 8,000 breakfast bags to our children on free school meals and in other vulnerable groups, building on the work we’ve been in four years to feed our kids in the holidays. With over 20,000 Greenwich children now living in poverty, this vital work may not be a statutory service, but it is essential work.
It was shocking, though perhaps not surprising, that the government announced on the last day of term that they were delaying the start of the January term for secondary school students, and that alongside their obligations to support the test and trace service, headteachers and senior leaders would now be spending the best part of the festivities trying to work out what on earth these means for them and their schools.
It is deeply regrettable that rather than collaborate with school leaders and councils in this most difficult term, the government entered into an entirely avoidable confrontation. Both the local data and the ‘feel’ of what was happening on the ground would have been very different from the perception in Whitehall. When the government issued this legal direction against us on Monday, our infection figure here in Greenwich was 254/100,000 residents. As I write this on Friday afternoon, my Director of Public Health has advised me that we are now at 309.
The last few days have been a bit of a blur, with messages coming in from the local community. And a difficult day yesterday for some of our headteachers, who had to ring numerous parents to tell them that their Christmas celebrations were indeed cancelled, and their children were heading home to self-isolate for the holidays. In attempting to explain the logic behind the government’s end of term testing arrangements, Nick Gibb told BBC News: “This is a fast-moving pandemic, we have to take action at pace.” Rather ironic given that on Monday, it was the same minister who had threatened us with court action for trying to do exactly this. By the time the minister had come around to our way of thinking, we had 4,790 children and 420 school staff in self-isolation.
At the end of the week, I still feel I made the right decision for my community. I’m extremely disappointed that more than anything, we’re nine months into this pandemic and the government still doesn’t trust local government to do the right thing. When they bypass us, they get it wrong. PPE. Shielding boxes. Testing and tracing. There are just a few of the examples of problems that could have been totally avoided had local councils been enabled to get on and do what we do best: serve our communities.
It seems like almost a lifetime ago that I sat on my first ever call with the Secretary of State for Local Government, when he promised to do “whatever it takes to support us”. It is clear that the other side of Christmas is going to be extremely difficult. We can only hope that the chance of some rest and time out may mean the government returns with a greater appreciation that councils like Greenwich are going to be even more important than they have been for the past few months.


labourlist--2020-12-18--Unite: Treating Britain’s lorry drivers badly will only worsen UK ports chaos

Unlike Christmas , the repercussions of the government ’ s shambolic Brexit preparations have come early – and they are causing misery to HGV drivers .
Lorry queues stretching for 20 miles along the approach to Dover have been occurring in the run-up to the holidays , with massive tailbacks also reported in Holyhead .
Roll-on roll-off links from Kent and Wales are not the only issues facing Britain ’ s coastal gateways .
At major container ports , such as Felixstowe , Southampton and London Gateway , a perfect storm has created serious backlogs .
To ensure Covid-19 safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even as the workload has increased , due to Brexit stockpiling , Christmas demand and docks clogged by large deliveries of personal protective equipment .
The government ’ s response to this has been to temporarily relax maximum driving times for HGV drivers , with the very real possibility that it will be extended into 2021 , even though there are more than enough hauliers to pick up and drop off loads .
The suspension will not resolve the congestion problem – putting more drivers into the port areas will simply increase congestion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are major safety implications .
Driver fatigue is much a higher risk during the winter months , when a lack of daylight and poor weather makes driving an HGV more stressful and dangerous .
The problem lies within the ports , where labour shortages – linked to attacks on worker pay and T & Cs – that have long been an issue , are exacerbating the current delays .
In fact , there are more than enough lorry drivers , with many , particularly those working for industries such as brewing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coronavirus restrictions .
To end coastal congestion and prevent the situation worsening after the transition period ends on December 31st , the government must end the uncertainty over a Brexit deal and allow key players to understand future trading operations .
Skimping on manpower and treating workers poorly will only worsen the problems being experienced at the UK ’ s ports .
Both ministers and port operators must ensure that there are sufficient dock workers to meet current demands and future challenges .
This would go some way to helping Britain ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be done if those who keep our food , medical , industrial and retail supply chains moving are to meet the logistical changes and challenges of 2021 .
The government has already announced that there will be at least four massive lorry parks in Kent to deal with delays caused by increased checks and paperwork from leaving the EU .
Despite the government admitting that substantial delays in the new year may well occur , however , Unite has only recently been told what facilities will be available at the lorry parks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extensive they will be .
It is not just drivers and residents in Kent , with many fearing the Garden of England will be turned into the Toilet of England , who are being kept in the dark .
This applies to communities and hauliers at other key ports facing congestion and lorry parks , too .
As delays will occur while the UK is gripped by the Covid-19 pandemic , decent and clean toilets and washing facilities with hot and cold running water are crucial .
Provision of hot food and areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to combat the dangers of fatigue are also necessary .
To put it bluntly , a few smelly portaloos and the odd burger van are not sufficient to deal with the scale of delays at Britain ’ s ports that will occur whether or not a deal is reached – especially when those delays come in the middle of winter .
Unite is the not the only organisation that has called on the government to pull its finger out over the gridlock at Britain ’ s ports .
The British Retail Consortium ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federation ( FDF ) , concerned about disruption to their members , have called for an investigation by parliament .
It is clear that government needs to come up with a solution , and quickly , to a problem nearly entirely of its own making .
But that solution must be one that doesn ’ t result in workers in the food , drink and retail industries – particularly those driving potentially dangerous vehicles – being forced to work excessive hours as result of a surge in goods being delivered as congestion is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , HGV drivers in the UK are facing a crisis and must not be made to pay the price for the government ’ s mistakes .
Their concerns must be acted upon by ministers urgently .
The fact that Unite is having to make this call at such a late stage is shocking , but not unsurprising .
It has only been in the last few days , the equivalent of one minute to midnight for Brexit , that the government finally engaged with the union , following months of repeated pleas that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congestion now engulfing ports rather than try to manage it .
Unfortunately , the government ’ s complete lack of preparation and the resultant chaos were as predictable as night following day – and the blame lies firmly at the feet of ministers .

Unlike Christmas, the repercussions of the government’s shambolic Brexit preparations have come early – and they are causing misery to HGV drivers. Lorry queues stretching for 20 miles along the approach to Dover have been occurring in the run-up to the holidays, with massive tailbacks also reported in Holyhead.
Roll-on roll-off links from Kent and Wales are not the only issues facing Britain’s coastal gateways. At major container ports, such as Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway, a perfect storm has created serious backlogs. To ensure Covid-19 safety, port operations have necessarily slowed, even as the workload has increased, due to Brexit stockpiling, Christmas demand and docks clogged by large deliveries of personal protective equipment.
The government’s response to this has been to temporarily relax maximum driving times for HGV drivers, with the very real possibility that it will be extended into 2021, even though there are more than enough hauliers to pick up and drop off loads.
The suspension will not resolve the congestion problem – putting more drivers into the port areas will simply increase congestion and make the problem worse – and there are major safety implications. Driver fatigue is much a higher risk during the winter months, when a lack of daylight and poor weather makes driving an HGV more stressful and dangerous.
The problem lies within the ports, where labour shortages – linked to attacks on worker pay and T&Cs – that have long been an issue, are exacerbating the current delays. In fact, there are more than enough lorry drivers, with many, particularly those working for industries such as brewing and hospitality, either furloughed or jobless due to coronavirus restrictions.
To end coastal congestion and prevent the situation worsening after the transition period ends on December 31st, the government must end the uncertainty over a Brexit deal and allow key players to understand future trading operations.
Skimping on manpower and treating workers poorly will only worsen the problems being experienced at the UK’s ports. Both ministers and port operators must ensure that there are sufficient dock workers to meet current demands and future challenges. This would go some way to helping Britain’s lorry drivers, but more needs to be done if those who keep our food, medical, industrial and retail supply chains moving are to meet the logistical changes and challenges of 2021.
The government has already announced that there will be at least four massive lorry parks in Kent to deal with delays caused by increased checks and paperwork from leaving the EU. Despite the government admitting that substantial delays in the new year may well occur, however, Unite has only recently been told what facilities will be available at the lorry parks and has received no information about how extensive they will be.
It is not just drivers and residents in Kent, with many fearing the Garden of England will be turned into the Toilet of England, who are being kept in the dark. This applies to communities and hauliers at other key ports facing congestion and lorry parks, too.
As delays will occur while the UK is gripped by the Covid-19 pandemic, decent and clean toilets and washing facilities with hot and cold running water are crucial. Provision of hot food and areas for drivers to relax outside their lorries to combat the dangers of fatigue are also necessary.
To put it bluntly, a few smelly portaloos and the odd burger van are not sufficient to deal with the scale of delays at Britain’s ports that will occur whether or not a deal is reached – especially when those delays come in the middle of winter.
Unite is the not the only organisation that has called on the government to pull its finger out over the gridlock at Britain’s ports. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), concerned about disruption to their members, have called for an investigation by parliament.
It is clear that government needs to come up with a solution, and quickly, to a problem nearly entirely of its own making. But that solution must be one that doesn’t result in workers in the food, drink and retail industries – particularly those driving potentially dangerous vehicles – being forced to work excessive hours as result of a surge in goods being delivered as congestion is eased.
Whichever industry they deliver to, HGV drivers in the UK are facing a crisis and must not be made to pay the price for the government’s mistakes. Their concerns must be acted upon by ministers urgently. The fact that Unite is having to make this call at such a late stage is shocking, but not unsurprising.
It has only been in the last few days, the equivalent of one minute to midnight for Brexit, that the government finally engaged with the union, following months of repeated pleas that it would be sensible to avert the congestion now engulfing ports rather than try to manage it. Unfortunately, the government’s complete lack of preparation and the resultant chaos were as predictable as night following day – and the blame lies firmly at the feet of ministers.


labourlist--2020-12-18--Activists increase pressure on Labour leadership to back electoral reform

11 organisations under the ‘ Labour for a New Democracy ’ banner have complained of “ significant omissions ” on electoral reform in a new Labour policy report and called on the party to recognise member support for a new voting system .
Labour ’ s national policy forum has released a document by the justice and home affairs commission following a consultation of members , affiliates and stakeholders on devolution and the constitution that took place earlier this year .
The report states that the consultation “ received a number of submissions around electoral reform ” and that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a constitutional convention would be best to consider the proposals .
The NPF commission suggests this would be an appropriate course of action due to the “ variety of potential reforms ” advocated by activists and the existence of “ strongly-held opinions on all sides of the debate ” .
But Open Labour , Compass , Politics for the Many , Make Votes Matter and others have expressed disappointment that the report “ has so little say about electoral reform ” , noting that it is one of the most popular policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties have passed motions in favour of replacing the current system of first-past-the-post with proportional representation ( PR ) for general elections , and polling has found most Labour members support electoral reform .
The groups have written an open letter protesting that the report “ downplays ” the demand for reform , failing to make “ any firm recommendations for next steps ” as it only “ observes noncommittally ” that a deliberative body would be a good forum .
Labour MPs and pressure groups joined forces in September to launch Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build support within Labour for electoral reform and change party policy ahead of the next annual conference .
The Labour administration in Wales recently passed legislation introducing the single transferable vote ( STV ) system for local elections and extending the franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds and foreign citizens .
Labour MPs Clive Lewis , Alex Sobel and Rachael Maskell have called on the leadership today to back similar reforms for Westminster , as part of efforts to fix the “ broken voting system ” and deliver PR across the UK .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unite the party , ” Lewis said .
“ Keir Starmer can and should lead on this , committing to proportional representation as part of a charter for democratic change that this country needs.
” Sobel , a Labour frontbencher , added : “ Westminster-as-usual isn ’ t working , and there ’ s a growing consensus in favour of fairer elections .
Labour can and must build a political system that ensures everyone is heard.
” Keir Starmer pledged during the leadership race to consult members on electoral reform and “ include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at wider democratic renewal ” , as promised also in Labour ’ s 2019 manifesto .
The Labour leader is set to give a speech on the UK ’ s constitution on Monday , the annual Mackintosh lecture .
It is expected that he will refer to “ radical federalism ” and set out plans for a constitutional convention .
Below is the full text of the open letter .
After a consultation on ‘ devolution and the constitution ’ earlier this year , the justice and home affairs commission of the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its findings .
We are disappointed that the report has so little to say about electoral reform – given how emphatic Labour members ’ views were on this issue .
Of the hundreds of online submissions to the commission , over 60 % explicitly urged Labour to support proportional representation .
This makes it by far the most called-for policy in the commission ’ s remit – and one of the most popular in any policy area .
This should come as no surprise .
Three quarters of Labour members believe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a higher level of support for PR than for most other popular policies : from the creation of green jobs , to nationalisation of key utilities , to repealing anti-trade union laws .
121 Constituency Labour Parties have already formally called for PR and many more will do so in 2021 .
Yet the report downplays this burgeoning demand , saying only that “ the commission received a number of submissions around electoral reform ” .
Instead of making any firm recommendations for next steps , it observes noncommittally that “ a citizen-led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forum “ for these kinds of issues ” .
Despite the significant omissions from the interim report itself , we welcome the commitment in the commission ’ s work plan to examine electoral reform in detail in 2021 .
We hope the commission will use the coming year to actively engage with the clear and increasing support for electoral reform among the Labour membership – and that it will propose specific policy in favour of a fair , proportional voting system .
Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform Open Labour Compass Chartist Labour for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unlock Democracy Electoral Reform Society Get PR Done !
Make Votes Matter Politics for the Many

11 organisations under the ‘Labour for a New Democracy’ banner have complained of “significant omissions” on electoral reform in a new Labour policy report and called on the party to recognise member support for a new voting system.
Labour’s national policy forum has released a document by the justice and home affairs commission following a consultation of members, affiliates and stakeholders on devolution and the constitution that took place earlier this year.
The report states that the consultation “received a number of submissions around electoral reform” and that a “citizen-led, deliberatively body” such as a constitutional convention would be best to consider the proposals.
The NPF commission suggests this would be an appropriate course of action due to the “variety of potential reforms” advocated by activists and the existence of “strongly-held opinions on all sides of the debate”.
But Open Labour, Compass, Politics for the Many, Make Votes Matter and others have expressed disappointment that the report “has so little say about electoral reform”, noting that it is one of the most popular policy areas among members.
121 local Labour parties have passed motions in favour of replacing the current system of first-past-the-post with proportional representation (PR) for general elections, and polling has found most Labour members support electoral reform.
The groups have written an open letter protesting that the report “downplays” the demand for reform, failing to make “any firm recommendations for next steps” as it only “observes noncommittally” that a deliberative body would be a good forum.
Labour MPs and pressure groups joined forces in September to launch Labour for a New Democracy in a bid to build support within Labour for electoral reform and change party policy ahead of the next annual conference.
The Labour administration in Wales recently passed legislation introducing the single transferable vote (STV) system for local elections and extending the franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds and foreign citizens.
Labour MPs Clive Lewis, Alex Sobel and Rachael Maskell have called on the leadership today to back similar reforms for Westminster, as part of efforts to fix the “broken voting system” and deliver PR across the UK.
“This is an issue that can unite the party,” Lewis said. “Keir Starmer can and should lead on this, committing to proportional representation as part of a charter for democratic change that this country needs.”
Sobel, a Labour frontbencher, added: “Westminster-as-usual isn’t working, and there’s a growing consensus in favour of fairer elections. Labour can and must build a political system that ensures everyone is heard.”
Keir Starmer pledged during the leadership race to consult members on electoral reform and “include it within the constitutional convention that looks at wider democratic renewal”, as promised also in Labour’s 2019 manifesto.
The Labour leader is set to give a speech on the UK’s constitution on Monday, the annual Mackintosh lecture. It is expected that he will refer to “radical federalism” and set out plans for a constitutional convention.
Below is the full text of the open letter.
After a consultation on ‘devolution and the constitution’ earlier this year, the justice and home affairs commission of the national policy forum has published an interim report of its findings.
We are disappointed that the report has so little to say about electoral reform – given how emphatic Labour members’ views were on this issue. Of the hundreds of online submissions to the commission, over 60% explicitly urged Labour to support proportional representation. This makes it by far the most called-for policy in the commission’s remit – and one of the most popular in any policy area.
This should come as no surprise. Three quarters of Labour members believe the party should back PR. LabourList found a higher level of support for PR than for most other popular policies: from the creation of green jobs, to nationalisation of key utilities, to repealing anti-trade union laws. 121 Constituency Labour Parties have already formally called for PR and many more will do so in 2021.
Yet the report downplays this burgeoning demand, saying only that “the commission received a number of submissions around electoral reform”. Instead of making any firm recommendations for next steps, it observes noncommittally that “a citizen-led, deliberative body” is the best forum “for these kinds of issues”.
Despite the significant omissions from the interim report itself, we welcome the commitment in the commission’s work plan to examine electoral reform in detail in 2021. We hope the commission will use the coming year to actively engage with the clear and increasing support for electoral reform among the Labour membership – and that it will propose specific policy in favour of a fair, proportional voting system.
Labour for a New Democracy
Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform
Open Labour
Compass
Chartist
Labour for a European Future
Another Europe Is Possible
Unlock Democracy
Electoral Reform Society
Get PR Done!
Make Votes Matter
Politics for the Many


labourlist--2020-12-19--Frances O’Grady: Covid-19 changes, Brexit and the future of trade unionism

Frances O ’ Grady , the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress , has been one of the key figures in the news and behind the scenes of the political world since the coronavirus crisis hit the UK earlier this year .
Thanks to reluctance on the part of Rishi Sunak , a traditionally Conservative Chancellor , to deliver the support necessary throughout the pandemic , the labour movement has had to push hard for government interventions that were inevitable yet strongly resisted .
At the same time , workers have faced a range of new problems , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while working remotely to having their lives put directly in danger due to Covid-19 .
“ It doesn ’ t matter who ’ s in government , our job as the trade union movement is to present our case , to look for a fair hearing , and to secure jobs and livelihoods for working people .
That ’ s what we do , ” O ’ Grady tells me over Zoom .
I ’ ve asked her about working with Sunak during Covid , and what she thinks of the Chancellor who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I put to her that it was quite a moment when Sunak was flanked by her and the CBI ’ s Carolyn Fairbairn before unveiling the original ‘ winter economy plan ’ .
“ As trade unionists , we ’ re trained to look for good faith relationships .
Where , even if you don ’ t like what the other person is saying , there ’ s mutual respect , you meet on equal terms , you get a chance to put your case .
I would say that Rishi Sunak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning.
” O ’ Grady is particularly pleased that Sunak was “ prepared to listen ” and implement a wage subsidy scheme , something that trade unions have advocated “ many , many times before ” .
She says : “ It was an important breakthrough for us , because it means that whatever else happens , if the time comes in the future where we are making the case that workers should not pay the price , we will all know that there is now a precedent for a wage subsidy scheme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money into local economies through wage packets.
” I think this is precisely what many Tories are afraid of : setting precedents .
It ’ s why the TUC ’ s repeated demand for increased sick pay has still not been met – because if it were , the decision would be politically painful to reverse .
“ What we ’ ve seen since is it feels like the Chancellor is having a bit of a struggle with himself , ” O ’ Grady says .
“ He had a bit of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not natural territory for a traditionally right-wing government .
But I think the comprehensive spending review showed a reversion to orthodoxy , austerity-lite , objectively.
” This was when Sunak confirmed last month that there would be a public sector pay freeze – ” in real terms , a cut ” , as O ’ Grady points out – despite these same workers having just risked their lives to keep the country going and despite this being precisely the wrong time to undermine confidence .
“ There ’ s still time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
This government is no stranger to U-turns… Hope springs eternal.
” The TUC general secretary strikes the same optimistic tone when we talk about how Covid will shape the future .
There is first a point to be made about digital trade unionism , which she describes as “ a big part of the future ” , saying : “ It ’ s never going to be a substitute for me meeting you face to face , or supporting a member in person .
But it does allow us to organise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve just not seen for a very long time.
” The ability to hold mass online meetings attended by tens of thousands and organise training that sees 5,000 safety reps tune in has been “ a huge revelation ” , O ’ Grady reports .
“ What we ’ ve seen is this big expansion in the layers of activists we can reach and the ways in which we can communicate.
” The urgency of the situation also made the general council , the TUC ’ s governing body , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t a time to make speeches to each other , it was a time to put our heads together and figure out what we had to do to win for working people.
” More broadly , O ’ Grady believes that the public health crisis will lead to a shift in public opinion , and that the clapping of key workers will not be forgotten .
“ I am optimistic , I ’ m always optimistic , ” she says .
“ That ’ s how I get up every morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discover that so many of our key workers are on the minimum wage and on insecure contracts.
” One of the “ worst symbols ” of Covid was seeing workers “ paid peanuts ” not being given proper personal protective equipment and “ unwittingly spreading the virus ” as a result , she tells me .
“ What does that say about us ?
I think it does humble us all.
” But is there a risk that the same people who clapped on their doorsteps in the early months of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be most valued ?
The TUC head does not share my worry that this will be the case .
“ As we saw with the Dominic Cummings episode , I think the great British public has got a very good nose for hypocrisy .
It doesn ’ t like the idea that we saw ministers joining the rest of us on their doorsteps , clapping , and then treating key workers appallingly.
” And on public sector wages , she predicts : “ The government may think it ’ s got away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long fuse has been lit.
” Both the Labour Party and the labour movement have promoted the message that there should be ‘ no going back to normal ’ , as UNISON in particular put it .
O ’ Grady says : “ What we ’ re seeing is Labour really thinking hard about its own core values .
And I guess what I want to really press is that the traditional promise that hard work pays has been broken .
We ’ ve seen that broken now for many years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tells me the TUC has a “ really good , constructive relationship ” with the Labour leadership – and won ’ t be drawn on how the party should vote if a Brexit deal is struck and put before parliament in the next couple of weeks .
“ I think the leader has a tough call , ” she concludes .
“ It ’ s not an easy judgement to take .
He ’ s got to take it .
I think we need to support the leader in doing that.
” It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism of Labour by the TUC if Keir Starmer chooses to whip MPs in favour of a deal or its implementing legislation as expected .
But O ’ Grady does approach the issue differently .
“ I have always been a little bit concerned about focusing , understandably , on the impact of no deal .
We shouldn ’ t take our eye off the ball : what kind of deal are we going to get if we get one ?
” She basically worries that the bar has been set very low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Like Labour , though , she is bothered by the government approach to UK-EU talks even if some kind of deal is struck .
“ I ’ m not suggesting trade deals are the same as trade union negotiations .
But good faith matters a lot .
And that ’ s been squandered through that internal market bill and the threat to breach international law .
It ’ s not just the EU who sees that – every other trading bloc around the world sees it.
” Our annus horribilis , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in union organising and a rise in trade union membership , particularly among women .
2021 will give rise to further changes , as Unite , UNISON and GMB – the UK ’ s three biggest unions , all party-affiliated – are set to hold general secretary elections .
Is O ’ Grady , the first woman to lead the TUC , looking forward to the prospect of more diversity at the top ?
“ I don ’ t think anybody would accuse me of making a secret of the fact that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that looks and feels more like the workers that we do represent , ” she replies .
“ We women are the majority .
We need to be a lot more diverse than we are , and we need a hard look at some of our organising strategies on that front .
But nevertheless , this movement is changing because it ’ s a living , breathing , democratic movement.
” Leadership matters , but culture is also crucial .
Everyone was “ upset and angry ” after reading the GMB sexism report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s really important that we have the right policies , the right procedures .
But it doesn ’ t take a policy to tell you that behaviour was wrong… We need to see change .
And I think the report was really clear about addressing the structural and systematic nature of sexism.
” The TUC has also set up a new anti-racism task force , which met for the first time this month .
It aims to highlight racism in the workplace and outside of it ( “ whether it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or health and maternity services , whatever it might be , that has an impact on our members ” ) , but also to address the movement ’ s own problems ( “ we have to get our own house in order to be fit to lead that fight ” ) .
O ’ Grady is full of optimism , but warns : “ If this year wasn ’ t easy , next year isn ’ t going to be a picnic either.
” She emphasises that workers need rest over the Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 2021 is “ going to be really , really challenging ” as furlough ends and the full economic impact of Covid is felt .
“ Mass unemployment , for me , will always be the biggest threat that we face.
” Not only because it affects livelihoods and creates deep scarring , but because it creates a “ breeding ground for far right , radical right ideas and organisation ” , she stresses .
The TUC general secretary ends our conversation with this thought : “ Things like furlough may sound very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is part of the bigger picture of what we ’ re trying to do , with holding working people together .
Because our opponents want to see us divided , and we must never walk into that trap .
Not just keeping people in work , but keeping people in good work , is critical to the kind of society that we want to see .
”

Frances O’Grady, the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, has been one of the key figures in the news and behind the scenes of the political world since the coronavirus crisis hit the UK earlier this year. Thanks to reluctance on the part of Rishi Sunak, a traditionally Conservative Chancellor, to deliver the support necessary throughout the pandemic, the labour movement has had to push hard for government interventions that were inevitable yet strongly resisted. At the same time, workers have faced a range of new problems, from not having the right to switch off while working remotely to having their lives put directly in danger due to Covid-19.
“It doesn’t matter who’s in government, our job as the trade union movement is to present our case, to look for a fair hearing, and to secure jobs and livelihoods for working people. That’s what we do,” O’Grady tells me over Zoom. I’ve asked her about working with Sunak during Covid, and what she thinks of the Chancellor who has a high public approval rating. And I put to her that it was quite a moment when Sunak was flanked by her and the CBI’s Carolyn Fairbairn before unveiling the original ‘winter economy plan’. “As trade unionists, we’re trained to look for good faith relationships. Where, even if you don’t like what the other person is saying, there’s mutual respect, you meet on equal terms, you get a chance to put your case. I would say that Rishi Sunak responded with good faith at the very beginning.”
O’Grady is particularly pleased that Sunak was “prepared to listen” and implement a wage subsidy scheme, something that trade unions have advocated “many, many times before”. She says: “It was an important breakthrough for us, because it means that whatever else happens, if the time comes in the future where we are making the case that workers should not pay the price, we will all know that there is now a precedent for a wage subsidy scheme. There is a precedent for channeling money into local economies through wage packets.” I think this is precisely what many Tories are afraid of: setting precedents. It’s why the TUC’s repeated demand for increased sick pay has still not been met – because if it were, the decision would be politically painful to reverse.
“What we’ve seen since is it feels like the Chancellor is having a bit of a struggle with himself,” O’Grady says. “He had a bit of a struggle with himself over furlough; this was not natural territory for a traditionally right-wing government. But I think the comprehensive spending review showed a reversion to orthodoxy, austerity-lite, objectively.” This was when Sunak confirmed last month that there would be a public sector pay freeze – ”in real terms, a cut”, as O’Grady points out – despite these same workers having just risked their lives to keep the country going and despite this being precisely the wrong time to undermine confidence. “There’s still time for the Chancellor to change his mind on that. This government is no stranger to U-turns… Hope springs eternal.”
The TUC general secretary strikes the same optimistic tone when we talk about how Covid will shape the future. There is first a point to be made about digital trade unionism, which she describes as “a big part of the future”, saying: “It’s never going to be a substitute for me meeting you face to face, or supporting a member in person. But it does allow us to organise and grow, potentially in ways that we’ve just not seen for a very long time.” The ability to hold mass online meetings attended by tens of thousands and organise training that sees 5,000 safety reps tune in has been “a huge revelation”, O’Grady reports. “What we’ve seen is this big expansion in the layers of activists we can reach and the ways in which we can communicate.” The urgency of the situation also made the general council, the TUC’s governing body, more efficient, she suggests. “It wasn’t a time to make speeches to each other, it was a time to put our heads together and figure out what we had to do to win for working people.”
More broadly, O’Grady believes that the public health crisis will lead to a shift in public opinion, and that the clapping of key workers will not be forgotten. “I am optimistic, I’m always optimistic,” she says. “That’s how I get up every morning! I think people were shocked to discover that so many of our key workers are on the minimum wage and on insecure contracts.” One of the “worst symbols” of Covid was seeing workers “paid peanuts” not being given proper personal protective equipment and “unwittingly spreading the virus” as a result, she tells me. “What does that say about us? I think it does humble us all.”
But is there a risk that the same people who clapped on their doorsteps in the early months of the pandemic will not reflect on who and what should be most valued? The TUC head does not share my worry that this will be the case. “As we saw with the Dominic Cummings episode, I think the great British public has got a very good nose for hypocrisy. It doesn’t like the idea that we saw ministers joining the rest of us on their doorsteps, clapping, and then treating key workers appallingly.” And on public sector wages, she predicts: “The government may think it’s got away with it on pay. I think a long fuse has been lit.”
Both the Labour Party and the labour movement have promoted the message that there should be ‘no going back to normal’, as UNISON in particular put it. O’Grady says: “What we’re seeing is Labour really thinking hard about its own core values. And I guess what I want to really press is that the traditional promise that hard work pays has been broken. We’ve seen that broken now for many years. That needs to be renewed.” She tells me the TUC has a “really good, constructive relationship” with the Labour leadership – and won’t be drawn on how the party should vote if a Brexit deal is struck and put before parliament in the next couple of weeks. “I think the leader has a tough call,” she concludes. “It’s not an easy judgement to take. He’s got to take it. I think we need to support the leader in doing that.”
It sounds like there will be no direct criticism of Labour by the TUC if Keir Starmer chooses to whip MPs in favour of a deal or its implementing legislation as expected. But O’Grady does approach the issue differently. “I have always been a little bit concerned about focusing, understandably, on the impact of no deal. We shouldn’t take our eye off the ball: what kind of deal are we going to get if we get one?” She basically worries that the bar has been set very low – at getting any kind of deal. Like Labour, though, she is bothered by the government approach to UK-EU talks even if some kind of deal is struck. “I’m not suggesting trade deals are the same as trade union negotiations. But good faith matters a lot. And that’s been squandered through that internal market bill and the threat to breach international law. It’s not just the EU who sees that – every other trading bloc around the world sees it.”
Our annus horribilis, 2020, has nonetheless given way to innovation in union organising and a rise in trade union membership, particularly among women. 2021 will give rise to further changes, as Unite, UNISON and GMB – the UK’s three biggest unions, all party-affiliated – are set to hold general secretary elections. Is O’Grady, the first woman to lead the TUC, looking forward to the prospect of more diversity at the top? “I don’t think anybody would accuse me of making a secret of the fact that I want to see a trade union movement that looks and feels more like the workers that we do represent,” she replies. “We women are the majority. We need to be a lot more diverse than we are, and we need a hard look at some of our organising strategies on that front. But nevertheless, this movement is changing because it’s a living, breathing, democratic movement.”
Leadership matters, but culture is also crucial. Everyone was “upset and angry” after reading the GMB sexism report, O’Grady tells me. “It’s really important that we have the right policies, the right procedures. But it doesn’t take a policy to tell you that behaviour was wrong… We need to see change. And I think the report was really clear about addressing the structural and systematic nature of sexism.” The TUC has also set up a new anti-racism task force, which met for the first time this month. It aims to highlight racism in the workplace and outside of it (“whether it’s stop and search rates, or health and maternity services, whatever it might be, that has an impact on our members”), but also to address the movement’s own problems (“we have to get our own house in order to be fit to lead that fight”).
O’Grady is full of optimism, but warns: “If this year wasn’t easy, next year isn’t going to be a picnic either.” She emphasises that workers need rest over the Christmas break if they can possibly get it: 2021 is “going to be really, really challenging” as furlough ends and the full economic impact of Covid is felt. “Mass unemployment, for me, will always be the biggest threat that we face.” Not only because it affects livelihoods and creates deep scarring, but because it creates a “breeding ground for far right, radical right ideas and organisation”, she stresses.
The TUC general secretary ends our conversation with this thought: “Things like furlough may sound very dry and uninspiring, but actually that is part of the bigger picture of what we’re trying to do, with holding working people together. Because our opponents want to see us divided, and we must never walk into that trap. Not just keeping people in work, but keeping people in good work, is critical to the kind of society that we want to see.”


labourlist--2020-12-19--Unite manufacturing leaders tell PM to get a deal – and all parties to back it

Unite the Union leaders representing hundreds of thousands of UK manufacturing workers – from food to steel , aerospace to automotive industries – have penned an open letter urging politicians to secure and approve a Brexit deal .
The manufacturing workplace representatives are joined by assistant general secretary Steve Turner in calling on Boris Johnson to “ return with a deal ” and demanding that this post-Brexit trade agreement is backed by all in parliament .
“ Whatever its failings , MPs of all parties must back it , ” the letter by trade unionists in UK manufacturing reads .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will cause irreparable damage to manufacturing and the wider UK economy.
” The worker representatives from some of the country ’ s biggest companies , including Rolls Royce Motors , GKN and Nestle , are urging political parties including Labour to “ stand shoulder-to-shoulder with UK workers ” by supporting a deal .
The letter warns : “ Anything else would be an act of gross industrial vandalism that will not be forgiven by those impacted by it.
” It favours the view that even a thin deal would be better than none @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has ruled out ordering Labour MPs to vote against a deal if one is agreed before December 31st , saying : “ I don ’ t think there ’ s a much of a case for voting against it when that would be effectively to vote for no deal.
” LabourList understands that the leadership is currently leaning towards voting in favour of a Brexit deal , rather than abstaining , partly because Labour has long argued that no deal would be the worst possible scenario .
Rachel Reeves recently told a Parliamentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will read the deal .
We are not being bounced into this decision.
” But she made the case that a trade agreement would be a platform for building on .
Starmer called on the government to “ get this deal done ” and “ deliver it for the British people ” after Johnson this week described a no deal scenario as “ very likely ” .
The Prime Minister said there were still “ big differences ” to resolve .
Below is the full text of the open letter and list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a post-Brexit trade deal would be catastrophic for UK Plc , a gross betrayal of our manufacturing heartlands and national economic interests .
UK manufacturing and its suppliers employ millions of workers in highly skilled jobs .
They offer thousands of apprenticeships , design and engineer the technologies to green and clean our cities and skies , and support regional economies in towns and cities too often termed ‘ left behind ’ .
Advanced manufacturing relies on global supply chains and synchronised component supply so the political uncertainty surrounding these supply chains and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stalled as businesses that plan decades ahead are left with little confidence and even less clarity over regulations , quotas and tariffs that could be in place under a fortnight .
UK manufacturing is world-class , admired globally .
It stands ready to deliver on the greener , better future the planet and people demand , creating the decent , skilled jobs so desperately needed , especially by our young people .
The Prime Minister must return with a deal to parliament .
Whatever its failings , MPs of all parties must back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal will cause irreparable damage to manufacturing and the wider UK economy .
Expose its shortcomings and lay out plans to plug the holes and fill the gaps , but right now it ’ s time to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with UK workers .
Anything else would be an act of gross industrial vandalism that will not be forgiven by those impacted by it .

Unite the Union leaders representing hundreds of thousands of UK manufacturing workers – from food to steel, aerospace to automotive industries – have penned an open letter urging politicians to secure and approve a Brexit deal.
The manufacturing workplace representatives are joined by assistant general secretary Steve Turner in calling on Boris Johnson to “return with a deal” and demanding that this post-Brexit trade agreement is backed by all in parliament.
“Whatever its failings, MPs of all parties must back it,” the letter by trade unionists in UK manufacturing reads. “The alternative of a no deal will cause irreparable damage to manufacturing and the wider UK economy.”
The worker representatives from some of the country’s biggest companies, including Rolls Royce Motors, GKN and Nestle, are urging political parties including Labour to “stand shoulder-to-shoulder with UK workers” by supporting a deal.
The letter warns: “Anything else would be an act of gross industrial vandalism that will not be forgiven by those impacted by it.” It favours the view that even a thin deal would be better than none and should be approved.
Keir Starmer has ruled out ordering Labour MPs to vote against a deal if one is agreed before December 31st, saying: “I don’t think there’s a much of a case for voting against it when that would be effectively to vote for no deal.”
LabourList understands that the leadership is currently leaning towards voting in favour of a Brexit deal, rather than abstaining, partly because Labour has long argued that no deal would be the worst possible scenario.
Rachel Reeves recently told a Parliamentary Labour Party meeting: “Keir and I will read the deal. We are not being bounced into this decision.” But she made the case that a trade agreement would be a platform for building on.
Starmer called on the government to “get this deal done” and “deliver it for the British people” after Johnson this week described a no deal scenario as “very likely”. The Prime Minister said there were still “big differences” to resolve.
Below is the full text of the open letter and list of signatories.
Returning from Brussels without a post-Brexit trade deal would be catastrophic for UK Plc, a gross betrayal of our manufacturing heartlands and national economic interests.
UK manufacturing and its suppliers employ millions of workers in highly skilled jobs. They offer thousands of apprenticeships, design and engineer the technologies to green and clean our cities and skies, and support regional economies in towns and cities too often termed ‘left behind’.
Advanced manufacturing relies on global supply chains and synchronised component supply so the political uncertainty surrounding these supply chains and future trade is crippling. Investment has stalled as businesses that plan decades ahead are left with little confidence and even less clarity over regulations, quotas and tariffs that could be in place under a fortnight.
UK manufacturing is world-class, admired globally. It stands ready to deliver on the greener, better future the planet and people demand, creating the decent, skilled jobs so desperately needed, especially by our young people.
The Prime Minister must return with a deal to parliament. Whatever its failings, MPs of all parties must back it. The alternative of a no deal will cause irreparable damage to manufacturing and the wider UK economy. Expose its shortcomings and lay out plans to plug the holes and fill the gaps, but right now it’s time to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with UK workers. Anything else would be an act of gross industrial vandalism that will not be forgiven by those impacted by it.
Sincerely
Steve Turner, Assistant General Secretary – Manufacturing, Unite
Mick Graham, Convenor JLR, Solihull
Daz Reynolds, Convenor Airbus, Broughton
Paul Cox, Convenor Nissan UK, Sunderland
Matt Gould, Convenor McVities, Manchester
Martin Foster, Convenor British Steel, Scunthorpe
Peter Tsouvallaris, Convenor Toyota, Burnaston
Mark Porter, Convenor Rolls Royce, Barnoldswick
Barry Firth, Convenor Coca Cola, Wakefield
Stephen Davis, Convenor Tata Steel, Port Talbot
Carl Needham, Convenor Siemens, Lincoln
John Cooper, Convenor Vauxhall, Ellesmere Port
Mary Callaghan, Convenor Kraft-Heinz, Kitt Green
John Sweeney, Convenor GKN, Bristol
Stuart Davis, Convenor Bentley Motors, Crewe
Ian Magill, Bombardier/Spirit Aero, Belfast
Maxine Cuthbert, Convenor Nestle, Tutbury
Kerry Owens, Convenor General Electric, Nantgarw
Dave Imre, Convenor Two Sisters, Sandycroft
Paul Williams, Convenor LEVC, Coventry
Kevin Pearson, Convenor Ford UK
Paul Russell, Convenor Princes Foods, Long Sutton
Frank Duffy, Convenor GKN, Birmingham
Steve Williams, Convenor Cummins, Huddersfield
Paul Leckie, Convenor ADL, Falkirk
John Anderton, Convenor Aston Martin, Gaydon
Steve Sargeant, Convenor BMW Mini, Cowley
Kenny Smith, Convenor JLR, Halewood
Gary Reay, Convenor Vauxhall, Luton
Mick Livingstone, Convenor JLR, Castle Bromwich
Dave Elson, Convenor Rolls Royce Motors, Goodwood
Andy Thorne, Convenor BMW Pressings, Swindon
Trevor Fletcher, Convenor BMW Pressings, Swindon
Graham Roomes, Convenor Ford UK
Jason Powell, Convenor BMW Engines, Hams Hall


labourlist--2020-12-19--Starmer unveils mission to “preserve and renew” UK in devolution speech

Keir Starmer will declare that he is “ determined ” to “ preserve and renew ” the United Kingdom in a major speech on Scotland , devolution and the Union ahead of Holyrood elections taking place next year .
Delivering the JP Mackintosh Memorial Lecture on Monday , the UK Labour leader is expected to set the tone for Labour ’ s campaign for Scottish parliamentary elections in May by announcing the start of a new era of devolution .
Making the case for preserving the Union , Starmer will say : “ Our nations are bound by our history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families live across borders and our businesses operate across borders .
“ We ’ re interconnected and we ’ re interdependent .
That ’ s not just a precious inheritance or a description of the past , it ’ s what we are .
It ’ s what I want for our children , for the next generation .
“ I don ’ t believe in putting up borders across any part of our United Kingdom .
In dividing people , communities and families who have stood together for so long .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we achieve more together than we do alone .
All four nations working together to build a more open , more optimistic and outward-looking country .
“ A United Kingdom that ’ s a force for social justice and a moral force for good in the world .
That ’ s why I ’ m so determined to preserve and to renew the United Kingdom.
” On devolution , which Starmer intends to make a cornerstone of his leadership , he is expected to add : “ I want devolution and social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next Labour government .
“ I may be the first person ever to run to be Prime Minister of this country on a manifesto that will aim to win power and then push as much of that power as possible away from Westminster.
” Promising “ a positive alternative to the Scottish people ” , the Labour leader will reiterate his view that “ there ’ s a yearning across the United Kingdom for politics and power to be much closer to people ” .
Starmer called in January during the Labour leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK that would aim to deliver a “ radical devolution of power ” and a “ radical shake-up of the constitution ” .
“ The status quo is not working .
People are crying out for more control , power and say over their own lives and local communities , ” he said .
“ This can ’ t be delivered by tinkering around the edges or with short-term fixes.
” He added : “ We need a new constitutional settlement… This will involve building a new long-term political and constitutional consensus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built on the principle of federalism.
” Gordon Brown has also made the case this year for a “ radical alternative to nationalism ” in the form of a “ constitutional revolution ” , which the former Prime Minister said was needed in order to rescue the Union .
It was reported by The Herald earlier this month that Brown would be appointed to head a new UK-wide constitutional convention set up by the Labour Party .
Scottish leader Richard Leonard favours the idea of such a convention .
“ There needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Labour Party needs to demonstrate to the people of Scotland that we are serious about this reform agenda and we want to get on with it , ” Leonard said .
“ This is not something we are contemplating doing sometime down the line , it ’ s something that we are getting to work on straight away .
In my view , the sooner that we can make progress on this , the better.
” John Pitcairn Mackintosh was a Scottish Labour politician who strongly advocated devolution to Scotland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ held on December 11th but was delayed due to Brexit .

Keir Starmer will declare that he is “determined” to “preserve and renew” the United Kingdom in a major speech on Scotland, devolution and the Union ahead of Holyrood elections taking place next year.
Delivering the JP Mackintosh Memorial Lecture on Monday, the UK Labour leader is expected to set the tone for Labour’s campaign for Scottish parliamentary elections in May by announcing the start of a new era of devolution.
Making the case for preserving the Union, Starmer will say: “Our nations are bound by our history, values and our identity. Our families live across borders and our businesses operate across borders.
“We’re interconnected and we’re interdependent. That’s not just a precious inheritance or a description of the past, it’s what we are. It’s what I want for our children, for the next generation.
“I don’t believe in putting up borders across any part of our United Kingdom. In dividing people, communities and families who have stood together for so long.
“I believe in that core Labour principle that we achieve more together than we do alone. All four nations working together to build a more open, more optimistic and outward-looking country.
“A United Kingdom that’s a force for social justice and a moral force for good in the world. That’s why I’m so determined to preserve and to renew the United Kingdom.”
On devolution, which Starmer intends to make a cornerstone of his leadership, he is expected to add: “I want devolution and social justice to be the hallmarks of the next Labour government.
“I may be the first person ever to run to be Prime Minister of this country on a manifesto that will aim to win power and then push as much of that power as possible away from Westminster.”
Promising “a positive alternative to the Scottish people”, the Labour leader will reiterate his view that “there’s a yearning across the United Kingdom for politics and power to be much closer to people”.
Starmer called in January during the Labour leadership election for a new federal structure in the UK that would aim to deliver a “radical devolution of power” and a “radical shake-up of the constitution”.
“The status quo is not working. People are crying out for more control, power and say over their own lives and local communities,” he said. “This can’t be delivered by tinkering around the edges or with short-term fixes.”
He added: “We need a new constitutional settlement… This will involve building a new long-term political and constitutional consensus. I believe that could best be built on the principle of federalism.”
Gordon Brown has also made the case this year for a “radical alternative to nationalism” in the form of a “constitutional revolution”, which the former Prime Minister said was needed in order to rescue the Union.
It was reported by The Herald earlier this month that Brown would be appointed to head a new UK-wide constitutional convention set up by the Labour Party. Scottish leader Richard Leonard favours the idea of such a convention.
“There needs to be work done through a constitutional convention. The Labour Party needs to demonstrate to the people of Scotland that we are serious about this reform agenda and we want to get on with it,” Leonard said.
“This is not something we are contemplating doing sometime down the line, it’s something that we are getting to work on straight away. In my view, the sooner that we can make progress on this, the better.”
John Pitcairn Mackintosh was a Scottish Labour politician who strongly advocated devolution to Scotland. The lecture was originally scheduled to be held on December 11th but was delayed due to Brexit.


labourlist--2020-12-19--REWATCH: Johnson accuses Starmer of wanting to “cancel Christmas” at PMQs

Boris Johnson used Prime Minister ’ s Questions just three days ago to accuse Keir Starmer of wanting to “ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister is now expected to announce very tough restrictions over the festive period , @ @ @ @ @ South East .
He is leading a press conference from 4pm this afternoon .
“ @ @ @ @ @ that the next big mistake will be over the easing of restrictions over Christmas , @ @ @ @ @ the Prime Minister earlier this week .
“ If he really is going to press @ @ @ @ @ he tell us what ’ s the assessment and has it been done on the @ @ @ @ @ infection rates and increased pressure on the NHS ?
What ’ s the impact ?
@ @ @ @ @ I wish he had the guts to just say what he really wants to do @ @ @ @ @ the plans people have made and to cancel Christmas .
I think that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ at , Mr Speaker .
”

Boris Johnson used Prime Minister’s Questions just three days ago to accuse Keir Starmer of wanting to “cancel Christmas”.
The Prime Minister is now expected to announce very tough restrictions over the festive period, particularly for London and the South East. He is leading a press conference from 4pm this afternoon.
“It’s now likely that the next big mistake will be over the easing of restrictions over Christmas,” the Labour leader told the Prime Minister earlier this week.
“If he really is going to press ahead with this, can he tell us what’s the assessment and has it been done on the impact it will have on infection rates and increased pressure on the NHS? What’s the impact?”
Johnson replied: “I wish he had the guts to just say what he really wants to do, which is to cancel the plans people have made and to cancel Christmas. I think that’s what he’s driving at, Mr Speaker.”