Monday, July 30, 2007

Time to say Goodbye


Finally, after two years of legal argument my estate office was transferred today over to a housing association. There was a ballot of tenants in 2005 where there was a 7 vote majority in favour of the estate transferring from Tower Hamlets Council to a local Housing Association. On Friday tenants opposed to the transfer lost an appeal against a high court decision not to grant a judicial review about alleged irregularities in the original 2005 ballot. Today the paperwork was signed and despite a last minute application to the House of Lords, they refused to stop the transfer. TUPE will apply to all staff

All the local government trade unions are opposed to stock transfer when there is no meaningful choice offered to tenants to remain with the Council. The so-called “4th option”. Ironically, it seems that Councils may now be able to retain their housing stock and even start building again.

All our staff have worked for the council for many years (some their entire working lives) and many are obviously apprehensive about changing employers. Also, there is a lot of good people who are not transferring who we have worked with for a number of years who we will miss. Change, especially when it is forced is always difficult. However, there is obviously “life after transfer” and a number of ex-council (and trade union activists) former colleagues now work apparently very happily for housing associations. Tomorrow we start our induction training.

On Friday I went for a drink and curry with some stewards from work and ran into a group from my “new” employer, also going out for a drink and meal. Good to see they socialise after work – also in recent months I have had a number of "chats" with staff who have heard that I was a trade union activist and were interested in trade unions.

Have to start planning the leaving /joining do! Watch this space!

(above pictures early Labour movement Feminist activists Susan Lawrence, Beatrice Webb and Margaret Bondfield - who each have a block named after them on the estate)

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

And he is leaving owing money to the Tea club!!!!

A true Scot!!!!

John Gray said...

Baz, I've left a signed IOU! (in your name)

marshajane said...

Does this mean you'll be transferring to the Housing assoc branch JG?
If so we could end up in the same unison branch office again when/if hous assoc and vol orgs merge offices.
;)

John Gray said...

Hi MJT I wasn't aware that HA and Vol Orgs were planning to merge? But if it happens, yes - can't wait! Can you?

marshajane said...

Well theres just talks of merging office space at the minute so who knows what'll happen.
:) and yes I can't wait :) lol x

Anonymous said...

Have just recently began a blog to try n publicise what takes place on estates which eastend homes have taken from council, the link below will access blog

This is the intended start of highlighting the truth n facts about what has happened and is happening, which is not made public in eastend homes propaganda newsletter pamphlet.

http://truthpointstoitself.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

The start of intended blog, stating what actually has taken place and is happening on estates taken from council by eastend homes.

The link below is to blog 1st post of many


http://truthpointstoitself.blogspot.com/

John Gray said...

Hi MJT, merge branch office space not branches themselves. Seems sensible. Up to branches to decide.

John Gray said...

Hi “truth points to itself”

I have had a look at your blog. For once I must put on my “Captain Serious” head on. I don’t think it is a good idea to take pictures of suspected drug dealers. There are means of possibly identifying where these pictures were taken. Also with “photoshop” it is possible find the serial number of your camera.

Please contact East End Homes and ask for an interview. There are some very good officers who work there. Let them arrange professional surveillance. Speak to your local Labour Councillors/Safer Neighbourhood Team and/or Jim. I live in East London myself and I appreciate it can at times be very difficult. But this is not the way forward.

Anonymous said...

John,

Appreciate reply and feedback.

Will edit photos enough to only show relevant part from now on.

Have another look at blog when you get chance, the purpose of blog, is to highlight the failing of residents by various parties.

And its because of decades of countless crimes, people, including myself have suffered and being let down time and again at local level by police and housing, this time housing being eastend homes, have started collecting details from others to post on blog.

Just like countless other I have now no longer got any reason to have even the slightest trust or belief in law and justice in this country.

Regards

truthpointstoitself