trade union | Karen Bruce

A new era for Labour

Campaigning, Equality, Labour Party, trade union, Young People Comments Off

Oct 032010

I came away from Labour Party Conference renewed and refreshed and feeling that as a party we have entered a new era. I was pleased with the election of Ed Miliband as leader (my second preference after Andy Burnham.)

Ed’s speech was excellent, I was really impressed with his passion for the party and his vigour for ideas to make life better for people, such as the living wage. I was in the hall and know that many there said they had goose bumps and others were brought to tears. It was an emotional time and whilst it was hard not to feel for David Miliband, I feel the right Miliband has been chosen and it’s time to move forward. It strikes me that David’s decision to give Ed some space is the right one.

Labour can now move forward and reach out to a new generation. Ed has the ability to listen to people, it’s an important quality to be able to get along with people and be one of them (when Ed was first elected as an MP I remember him at Labour Party Conference in the bar (I think it was The Grand in Brighton) playing the piano and leading a sing along at about one in the morning!)

I hope that this new era will be more inclusive and that the party will really listen to members and voters. Labour did some great things in its 13 years in government but the government ended up distant from people and unable to listen. If we learn from past mistakes, as I believe we will, then we can not only win the next election because people don’t want to vote Tory, but because people really want to vote Labour again.

The highlights of this year’s conference for me were a) Ed being elected b) Ed’s speech c) my three year old daughter Esme sitting in the conference hall listening to Andy Burnham’s speech as shadow health secretary and clapping enthusiastically, when I asked her what she thought Andy was talking about she said, “making people better” d) various fringes and training sessions including a fringe on the future of social care and training sessions such as community organising and beating the Lib Dems.

Leeds loves Andy Burnham

Campaigning, Education, Environment, Equality, Family, Health, Labour Party, Leeds, Older People, trade union, Transport, Young People Comments Off

Aug 212010

On Monday event with Andy Burnham took place in Leeds. As Andy’s regional director I got to organise and host the event.

Thanks to @pennyb for the photo.

Great feedback for Andy from Leeds with lots of twitter comments and this great email I thought I’d share:

I really enjoyed Andy Burnham’s presentation and questions last night. I am impressed. He came across as genuine. He has obviously thoroughly thought through his politics. He will definitely be getting my first preference. If only more MPs were like him. He is a breath of fresh air in a climate of career politicians. I will put a donation for his campaign in the post.

@laidbackian: Had a great night with @andyburnhammp in Leeds. He has a passion for the Labour Party unmatched by the other candidates. #andy4leader

@stephenjtowler: Andy Burnham excellent in Leeds tonight. Why would you not vote for him?

@khutchinsondean After event tonight finally getting off the fence and backing @andyburnhammp for leader; most authentic, credible and fresh thinking choice

@laidbackian: Great night with @andyburnhammp in Leeds. He has a passion for the Labour Party unmatched by other candidates. #andy4leader

@Emma_Hoddinott: Saw @andyburnhammp last night in Leeds. Was very impressed with his ideas on Labour Party reform.

@christophe_read: Spoke to @andyburnhammp last night about my Young Labour report -he’d seen it & was v much along same lines. Top bloke.

@LauraPony: Pleased @brianahaha is also putting @andyburnhammp as first preference following event in Leeds last night #andy4leader

@LauraPony: Excellent evening listening to @andyburnhammp then eating lovely Italian food with fantastic family

@MagsNews: Andy Burnham – great guy. Met him in Leeds yesterday evening. V genuine and cares passionately about the party… My second preference!

@KatRRose: Enjoyed meetng @andyburnhammp in Leeds, @ed_miliband‘s better civil liberties 1st pref, but Andy Burnham is cool prob 2nd pref

@alexsobel: RT @KatRRose: Enjoyed meeting @andyburnhammp in Leeds, @ed_miliband 1st pref but Andy Burnham cool prob 2nd pref -prob me too

Unions Together video

Labour Party, trade union Comments Off

Mar 242010

Enjoy this great video from Unions Together:

TUC YouTube video contest is inspirational

trade union, TUC Comments Off

Sep 132009

As I’m busy with the Rothwell and Elmet Parliamentary selection I’m going to have to follow the TUC Congress on Twitter (using the #TUC09 hash tag) and the fantastic Congress Voices website. But I just thought that this video was worth sharing. It’s one of the winners of a TUC competition to create one minute videos to promote the trade union movement and I think it’s fantastic.

When people know the truth they back the bin workers and street cleaners

Campaigning, Elmet and Rothwell, GMB, trade union, Unison, Unite 4 Responses »

Sep 122009

Karen Bruce with Councillor Ted Hanley and Unison banner

I’m a bit late posting this photo, because I’ve been busy out talking to Labour Party members in Elmet and Rothwell for the Parliamentary selection. On Thursday I went with my daughter Esme to join the demonstration outside Leeds Civic Hall in support of the bin workers and street cleaners who are having their pay slashed by the Tory/Lib Dem council. It was a great event and everyone was rooting for the Unite, Unison and GMB members.

On Friday I had dinner with friends who aren’t particularly political, but were disgusted and horrified when they discovered what the bin strike was actually about. They had no idea that these hard workers, who are out every day in all weathers, were facing such massive pay cuts – £5-£6K when they only earn about £18K to begin with. It totally changed their perspective on the strike from being annoyed that their bins hadn’t been entered to being furious at Tory and Lib Dem councillors who are treating the refuse workers to shamefully.

Unite the Union nominates me for Elmet and Rothwell

Elmet and Rothwell, trade union, Unison, Unite Comments Off

Sep 062009

I’m delighted and honoured to be able to let you all know that Unite the Union, Britain’s biggest trade union, has nominated me to be the prospective Parliamentary candidate for Elmet and Rothwell. Every local Labour Party branch and affiliated organisation (which includes trade unions) is allowed to nominate three prospective candidates – one man, one woman and one BAME (black, Asian, minority ethnic). I’m the only local candidate to receive a nomination. This is a real boost and local members have already contacted me to say how pleased they are. One texted me to say: “I’m glad Unite are fully supporting you.”

The support of Unite for me as the local candidate is really important to me. The Labour Party was born from within the trade union movement and it’s not a link that she should let lapse. I’ve been a union member for all my working life. First as a member of Unison, when I was a local government officer and Unison was Britain’s biggest trade union. I then joined the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) which merged with Amicus to become Unite the Union, which overtook Unison to take the top slot as the biggest trade union.

Despite the differences and hiccups along the way Labour needs the unions and the unions need Labour. That’s why I’m so delighted to have Unite’s support.

Tory and Lib Dem councillors attack on unions bring bin strike closer

GMB, Leeds, trade union, Unison, Unite 1 Response »

Aug 272009

The talks between Leeds City Council and the trade unions (Unite, GMB, Unison) have failed. About what you’d expect when they are the responsibility of a Liberal Democrat leader of a Tory/Lib Dem council.

The trade unions have been trying to have a sensible discussion with Leeds City Council as to how to resolve the proposed pay cuts which the council is trying to impose on bin workers as a result of the court rulings to do with the different pay levels between men and women doing similar jobs. Led by Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Richard Brett, the Tory/Lib Dem council has been obstructive every step of the way.The council is proposing massive£6,000 per year pay cuts for the hard working staff in the refuse and street cleaning departments.

Bill Chard, organiser for the GMB explained: “There seems to be a complete lack of understanding and basic decency on behalf of the leadership of the council and their highly paid managers. I cannot comprehend why they believe such huge cuts of this magnitude would be acceptable to our members. This strike will cause mayhem in Leeds and they must take the blame.

“Our members take this action out of desperation; they know however they juggle their home finances they will not be able to pay their household bills. This situation has been hanging over their families for over 12 months, it is intolerable. I hope that council leader Richard Brett can live with his conscience.”

A bin strike won’t be good for the people of Leeds and is likely to cause us all considerable inconvenience. But the Tories and Lib Dems should remember that Leeds folk are made of strong stuff and they won’t take kindly to a handful of well-paid councillors trying to cut the pay of workers who provide us with essential services.