For the forthcoming mayoral: elections in london, UNISON has taken up its own version of the old John F Kennedy quote "Ask not wehat your country can do for you: ask what you can do for your country." Instead of debating which candidate they should endorse, the union's London Affiliated Political Fund has voted with no opposition to demand of candidates where they stand on UNISON's in place of the usual rubber stamping of whatever candidate the Labour Party sees fit to impose, which has led to the union donating £500 to an anti-union NHS Trust boss running on Labours slate for the Greater London Authority, UNISON has drawn up a manliest lo public services, and is inviting "As the leading voice for better public services in the capital, UNISON will be campaigning for: A new deal for NHS staff UNISON is not prepared to a NHS staff remain unde paid, underalute ana demor alised. We aim to make working for the NHS a more attractive tion of better terms and condi candidates to declare their support for it. This will obviously be extremely difficult for Frank Dobson, since it contains specific opposition to the Private Finance Initiative which he implemented while Health Secretary, and the privatisation of the London But it should be no problem for Ken Livingstone, who is already on record supporting many of the key demands. Other unions have also shown interest in the UNISON proposals which offer a stark alternative to the policies of New Labour in governer. Publication of the full text has been delayed -apparently by interference from UNISON officials - so: we carry the full details here. tions of service and improvements to your surety and well being at work. Ending crisis management and under-funding in local government 20 years of under-funding in local govemment have created exceesive demands on the workforce and a reliance on the goodwill of staff rather than London UNISON campaigns amese many of our branches tion and under-funding, vices. Campaigning for a living London is one of the world's most expensive cities to live in. And workers' salaries need to reflect this. To put poverty, UNISON is campaigning locally and natonally for a minimum wage of £5.00 per hour and a significant increase in London Weighting. Opposing the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) As a means of funding healthcare and local government services, the PFl is proving to be a costly, profit-driven and unpopular quick fix solution, damaging in the process. No wonder UNISON and many other organisaout of the private sector and are united in campaigning for publicly funded services and an end to PFI and Public Private Partnerships Tackling racism and discrimination in our services Throughout the public services, whether it be a matter of employment or equal access o services, UNISON is solidly comVictim of police racism: UNISON member Roger Syltester died in north London. mitted to fighting institutional sexism, homophobia and all forms of discrimination. With our record of support for the Stephen Lawrence, Ricky Campaigns for Justice, UNISON will continue to play a major part in ensuring fighting discrimination is a priority issue in all Affordable housing, closer to work The overheated housing market and high rents mean that - even for those on an average salary -I is becoming iossie to live and work in the capital. UNISON s campaignine for the Mavor To carry out a commitment to build new affordable social housing public sector workers • so the choice to work in London is not can afford to live here.
week on the stump broadcaster) "I SUPPORT the London Socialist Alliance slate because it's critical that real socialists have our backing. vie nave to 510g politics becoming somewing that is crucered by Labour Party spinners. KEN LOACH (film director) IT'S GREAT news that Lonen socialist pulance candidates are standing. tion by Labour leaders to dragging the wretched Dobson in his wake. Now at last there are people everyone who lives and SUKHDEV The REEL, mother of Ricky Reel (speaking in support of the London Socialist "I SUPPORT any cause A As the London Socialist Alliance election campaign starts to hot up we asked LSA candidate GREG TUCKER to give a personal view of the campaign. nursaav if to Notting Fill. After addressing an RMT Branch a quick dash down the road to an LSA public meeting.
local candidate, Christine Blower, is taking up issues affecting the community.
Suresh Grover talks on police racism. He has just come from a beeting with Paul Boateng concern ng Satpal Ram. A typical LSA meet ins • as wen as arranging local states and leafleting, plans are made to the Labour Party just cannot get its memocts out to campaiga di al. Sunday Over to Southall for another public meeting. sukdev Keel gives a movi speech about how the police failed to deal with her son's murder Local activists give their endorsement to the LSA. Heckled by the Ken Livingstone?" The only effect seems to be to increase the donations supporters give at the end of the ISA there as a dustman, and was a member of the NUPE branch.
The "dust" has now been privatised end he doen't show, and instead the Labour candidate! In the they send someone who turns out to be a Livingstone supporter.
is that we should hang on in the Labour Party because things might improve some day. No one is convinced. One UNISON member comes up afterwards to tell me. " could never stand the loony left - but somewhere along the way I seem to have become one of them!"
the ISA organising meeting that night it is clear that things are going better than we expected all across London, but we have set ourweek we will be producing one and a half million election addresses. have to raise the money to pay for 'them, and then get them delivered! out supported Livingstone, leaving only the local MP and Party Chair! Of the cigatech most were dappy to take ISA literature.
Meet up with Theresa again at a meeting to launch Defend Council Housing. The Southwark demo was a success. The Lambeth meeting is packed with council tenants angry about the threats being made by Labour against their right to decent, affordable housing.
LSA
JOHN PILGER (writer and TV