COHSE

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

TUC Demo 20th October 2012 - UNISON Branch Banners

Unison Ashford

Unison Barking and Dagenham

Unison Barnet LG

Unison Bath and NE Somerset

Unison Birmingham LG

Unison Black Members

Unison Bolton Health Branch

Unison Bradfield

Unison Bradford

Unison Bridgend County

Unison Brighton & Hove

Unison Bristol City

Unison Bromley

Unison Cambridge County

Unison Cambridgeshire Police Staffs

Unison Camden & Islington

Unison Camden

Unison Cardiff Central

Unison Cardiff City

Unison Carmarthenshire

Unison Central and Wolverhampton

Unison Central London Community Health

Unison Ceredigion county council

Unison Charnwood

Unison Cheshire East

Unison Child Mental Health

Unison City of Coventry College

Unison City of Newcastle

Unison City of Plymouth

Unison Colchester Health

Unison Concorde NHS

Unison Cornwall Community Health

Unison Cornwall LG

Unison Croydon Health Services

Unison Croydon

Unison Cumbria

Unison Darlington

Unison Defend NHS Dudley Group Hospitals

Unison Derby City

Unison Devon County

Unison Devon Partnership

Unison Doncaster

Unison Dorset Health

Unison Dudley General

Unison Ealing LG

Unison East Cheshire

Unison East Lancashire NHS

Unison Environment Agency Midlands

Unison Filipino Nurses

Unison Gateshead Health

Unison Gateshead

Unison GLA

Unison Greater London LGBT

Unison Greater London

Unison Greenwich

Unison Halton LG

Unison Hammersmith and Fulham

Unison Hampshire & IOW Police

Unison Hampshire

Unison Harrogate LG

Unison Havant and Isle of Wight

Unison Havering

Unison Hounslow LG

Unison Housing Association

Unison Hull City

Unison Isle of Wight Healthcare

Unison Islington

Unison Kensington & Chelsea

Unison Kingston Hospital

Unison Kirklees

unison Lambeth College

Unison Lambeth

Unison Lancashire Police

Unison Leeds Met

Unison Leeds Teaching Hospital

Unison Leeds

Unison Lewisham LG

Unison Lincolnshire Health

Unison London Fire Brigade

Unison London Metropolitan University

Unison London Probation Trust

Unison London Region

Unison Manchester Community Mental Health

Unison Manchester Metropolitan University

Unison Medway Town LG

Unison Merseysiude Police Staff

Unison Merthyr Tydfil

Unison Milton Keynes Area

Unison Mosley

Unison North Somerset

Unison North West Labour Link

Unison North West Region

Unison North Yorks

Unison Northern Region

Unison Nottingham University Hospital

Unison Notts County

Unison NW Anglia health

Unison NW Region Police Staff

Unison Oxford City LG

Unison Oxford City

Unison Oxford Health

Unison Pembrokeshire country

Unison Penine Care Health

Unison Port Talbort

Unison Portsmouth Health

Unison Pride in our Work – LGBT members

Unison Princess Alexandra Hospital Harlow

Unison Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham – University Hospital

Unison Rhondda Cynon Taff

Unison Rotherham Health

Unison Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Branch

Unison Royal Hospital of Neurology Putney

Unison Salford City

Unison Sandwell

Unison Scotland Gas Branch

Unison Sefton LG

Unison Sheffield Hallam University

Unison Shropshire

Unison Solihull LG

Unison South East Region

Unison South Gloucestershire

Unison South Tyneside Healthcare

Unison South West Ambulance

Unison South West London Mental Health

Unison Southampton

Unison Southend LG

Unison Southwark

Unison Speak Up For Libraries

Unison St Anne's

Unison St Georges Hospital

Unison Surrey Healthcare

Unison Sussex Healthcare

Unison Sussex Partnership

Unison SW Cornwall

Unison Swindon

Unison Tower Hamlets LG

Unison UCH

Unison UCL

Unison UCL

Unison University of Southampton

Unison Vale of Glamorgan

Unison Waltham Forest

Unison Watford LG

Unison West Cheshire

Unison West Midlands Region

Unison West Sussex County

Unison West Yorkshire Police Staff

Unison Westminster

Unison Wiltshire LG

Unison Wolverhampton General

Unison Wolverhampton LG

Unison Worcester County

Unison Young Members

Nursing

Michael Walker UNISON Officer

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Flying the Red Flag

"Insult" to Duke of York.

Red Flag on Asylum Building.

January 1927 National Asylum Workers Union Journal

Gateshead Town Council on January 5th 1927 refused to allow the Communist Party to hold meetings in the Town Hall. During the proceedings there was a stormy scene arising out of an incident at the Corporation's mental asylum at Stannington, where, it was alleged, a "red flag" was flown while the Duke of York was at the neighbouring hostel of the Newcastle Poor Children's Holiday Association.

Councillor White said the statement was not true, and refused to sit down when ordered. After a good deal of uproar the Mayor explained that the red flag was exhibited from a window of a building on the asylum estate. When an employee was called before the committee he denied showing the flag and said it was flown by his daughter.

The Mayor said the committee did not believe the statement, and declared that the red flag was flown " to insult the Duke of York, the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, the Sheriff, and the Union Jack." He had never known such impudence.

It was agreed that the committee should further investigate the matter.

NOTE

Red Flags were regular flown by protesters from Workhouses in the 1930’s as part of the national unemployed Workers Movement campaign

Red Flags were flown over hospitals in Glasgow on July 5^th 1948 when the NHS came into being.

St Pancras Council Labour leader John Lawrence, fulfilled a Labour commitment to fly the red flag from the Town Hall on May Day, 1958. A policy attacked by the right wing national press. The St Pancras Chronicle commented, ’will long be remembered by the 140,000 residents of St Pancras as one of the most exciting days in the borough’s history. For the Leftists, the raising of the Red Flag over the Town Hall in Euston Road, NW1, was a proud achievement.

Many Labour Council's in the 1980s, such as Hammersmith, Islington, Manchester and Sheffield regularly flew the red flag

Red Flags flown over Monaghan and Letterkenny Hospital “Soviets” in Ireland

Famously the Red Army flew the Red Flag over the Richstag, when it was captured from the Nazi's at the end of WW2 in Europe.

Red Flag flies over Guilford for Charles and Diana Royal Wedding 1981

RED FLAG

The red flags of became a potent relic following the execution of early trade unionist British sailors mutinied near the mouth of the River Thames in 1797 and hoisted a red flag on several ships.

Two red flags flown by marchers during the Merthyr Dic Penderyn (Richard Lewis) in August 1831 despite a public campaign to pardon him.

Rising of 1831 in South Wales were soaked in calf's blood.

Morpeth COHSE 1972

Picture of Morpeth Branches of COHSE the health care union. Ancillary Demonstration 13 December 1972 against the imposed Wage Freeze. The march was covered by the local media and BBC TV.

The branch stated that this was the first march held in Morpeth since National Strike in 1931 (Think they are referring to General strike of 1926 ?)

No 1 Region Northern COHSE Region
Andy Vanbeck - Regional secretary
J. Grey - Asst Regional Secretary
Townsville House
274 Heaton Road
Newcastle

Tom Walton
Tom Walton (Bishop Auckland) National Executive Committee Member for Northern Region (March 1948-1968) died 13th December 1972 at the age of 63. Officer at the Department of Social security he retired in 1968 having started employment in 1926 as a junior clerk in the Education Department at Bishop Auckland. In 1930 transferred to Juvenile Employment Bureau and progressed through the ranks until he retired

Monday, December 31, 2012

National NHS Ancillary Workers Demonstrations 13th December 1972

National Demonstrations against the Tories Pay freeze were organised by COHSE & NUPE in all major cities on 13th December 1972 including London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Brighton and many others

Click to enlarge photos

Saturday, December 29, 2012

COHSE NEC Members - Region 6 North West Thames & Oxford

GEORGE NAZER

George Nazer was elected to COHSE's National Executive Committee for Region 6 (North West Thames & Oxford) in 1979, replacing Andy Dempsey (Leavesden). George a former Durham University geography student, joined the NHS in 1973 becoming the Vice Chairman of Shenley Hospital (Hertfordshire) branch in 1974 , Branch Chairman in 1975 and Branch secretary in 1977. Later moving to a mental health unit at St Mary's and later central Middlesex hospital.

George Nazer was undoubtedly one of the most highly effective, progressive and intellectual member's of COHSE's NEC, traits only overshadowed by his commitment to ensuring professionalism in mental health nursing.

ROY OLIVER

Roy Oliver was a nurse and branch secretary at Hungerford Hospital (established 7th August 1968) and later Reading and District COHSE branch.

He led a successful campaign to save the 100 beded care of the elderly Hungerford Hospital in 1978/79

A key supporter of the Berkshire Joint Trade Union Committee which Roy chaired.

A Liberal Councillor in Hungerford (later he joined the Labour Party because of the failure of the Liberals to oppose the Tories in the 80's).

He was a National Executive Committee Member for Region 6

Roy Oliver was openly "Gay" speaking out for Gay rights at every opportunity , he wore his pink triangle "Gay Rights" badge with pride when it was not popular or safe to do so.

Roy was a popular NEC member and his popularity helped COHSE in securing an early trade union commitment to Lesbian and Gay rights. However he had earlier been slow hand clapped for supporting Gay rights at COHSE Conference.

COHSE's early commitment to Lesbian and gay rights culminated in the union refusing to hold its conference on the Isle of Man and its high profile opposition to Clause 28.

Roy was involved in the Battle Hospital Miners Support Group

Like so many of his friends he died young.

JENNY KOCH

Jenny Koch was elected in a shock victory over the popular Roy Oliver in 1985. Jenny was branch Secretary of COHSE Wycombe branch and a community Midwife. She qualified as a nurses at Suffolk General hospital in 1968. In 1975 moving to Wycombe. Active in a successful campaign to save community midwives in Wycombe

Jenny Koch along with Christine Wilde were active COHSE midwives on the NEC, and reflected COHSE's base (continued in UNISON) amongst radical midwives.

Both COHSE's and Unison's had great success in secure COHSE/Unison midwives were elected midwifery positions on the old UKCC Nursing Boards, despite not being the dominate union in midwifery

DAN MORIARTY

Dan Moriarty was one of the most popular and respected members of the National Executive Committee until his retirement last year (1972). He had represented No. 6 Region
since 1968 and was also a member of the Legal and Parliamentary Committee and
the Staff Superannuation Committee.

Dan, accompanied by his wife, was the guest of honour at the Annual General
Meeting of his former region on 16 April and was presented with a cheque and
framed life-membership certificate.

In making the presentation, Tom Hedditch. Regional Chairman during Dan's
term of office, referred to his exceptional personal qualities saying: 'He was never
too busy to try to help not only his fellow trade unionists but his fellow men.' His
generosity and compassion were well known and demonstrated in his everyday
approach to life: although he had suffered the horrors of a Japanese prisoner of war
camp, he bore no resentment towards his former captors - his regard for his fellow
men was not limited by race or creed.

St Bernard's Hospital Branch, where he was branch secretary, owes a great deal to
Dan's organising abilities; it is now one of the largest branches in the country, and
Charlie Wood, who spoke as a member of the National Executive Committee, said
that Dan's point of view had always been respected and he paid tribute to his
diligence and devotion to duty.

Mrs Moriarty, who was presented with a bouquet of flowers, was described as
'The good woman behind the man'. There is no doubt that her support had contributed to her husband's success.

In reply Dan, who now lives in South Wales, said it had always been a pleasure
to carry out the various duties required of him, and referred to No. 6 Region as the
most vigilant and enthusiastic in the Confederation. He sincerely hoped that the
standards he had set over the years were acceptable.

As Regional Secretary, may I say that for No. 6 Region there is no doubt that
Dan Moriarty's standards were most acceptable - the point is whether we who
follow him can even attempt to follow in his footsteps. We wish him all the best for
a long and happy retirement.

COHSE Journal June 1973

New London GLC Ambulance Prototype Unvailed 1973

1973

New Greater London Council Ambulance Service, Ambulance

designed by Anthony Smallhorn and manufactured by Reeve Coachbuilders Ltd

On 30 January 1973, Sir Desmond Plummer, Leader of the GLC, handed over a new prototype ambulance to the London Ambulance Service.

The new ambulance, designed to meet the specifications of the Ministry of Health's Miller Report of 1967 and the Ogle Report, sponsored by the National Research Development Corporstion in 1969, will mean greater comfort for the patient (with its front wheel drive and independent suspension) and should be far more acceptable to the crew, in so far as there is full standing height inside and the step height into the vehicle is only 9 inches (as compared with an average of 23 inches in existing ambulances).

Whilst the interior is scarcely bigger overall, the design of the new ambulance manages to provide much more room for and access to the two patients, with space for an attendant to sit at the head of the stretcher.

Under the Government's planned re-organisation of the Health Service, control over the London Ambulance Service will pass from the GLC to one of London's four Regional Hospital Authorities. Sir Desmond took the opportunity of expressing his concern over this proposal and hoped that the Government would have 'second thoughts about removing such a vital service from the control of the democratically elected representatives of
the people'.

Health Sevices (COHSE Union Journal) March 1973

Saturday, December 08, 2012

Medical Aid to Spain

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Lewisham Hospital Rally - Save Our A&E 24th November 2012

Saturday, October 27, 2012

COHSE & The Miners

The recent revelation that Police colluded to ensure the prosecution and jailing of miners during the 1984-85 miners strike, comes as no surprise to those active at the time.

The only surprise is that it has been revealed in our lifetime, a fact only due to the tireless efforts of the Hillsborough campaign for justice, which highlighted the establishments successful attempts to hide the truth of what really happened to 96 innocent Liverpool supporters killed at Hillsborough on 15th April 1989

Not only were the 96 football fans who died, defamed but the Tories and their establishment friends attempted to vilify the whole City of Liverpool, that rallied to support the families.

The Hillsborough Inquiry, highlighted establishment collusion and police collusion at the highest levels and it soon became evident that the same tactics used to marginalise the Hillsborough families, had also been used extensively during the miners strike.

During the Miners strike 11,291 people were arrested, of whom 8,392 were charged, we now know many of those charged were totally innocent.

COHSE activists at the time feared that the sequestration and imprisoning of miners was simply an attempt by the establishment to smash a democratic and free trade union in Britain.

COHSE had always had a strong bond of friendship towards the miners and a "debt of gratitude" had grown over many years, not least because the miners had often taken action in support of nurses and NHS staffs pay and they campaigner alongside us to defend hospitals from closure.

So it was that a "middle of the road" union like COHSE would play a critical role in ensuring, that to the surprise of Neil Kinnock and Labour Party apparatchiks a resolution at the October 1985 Labour Party conference was carried calling for a future Labour Government to investigate the jailing of miners and a full scale amnesty.

The Labour Party leadership were sure of victory so it was to their great shock to find that the decisive vote in favour was cast by COHSE.

To COHSE's great pride and the Labour Party leadership's shock.

Of course the Blair government did nothing about the Amnesty or for that matter Hillsborough, but the truth has finally begun to appear and those of us who stated that the jailing were a simply political act have been vindicated.

Unfortunately many convicted and framed miners lost their pensions and employment, many died not knowing that their innocence would one day be revealed.

We salute those brave striking miners once again for their courage and fortitude against overwhelming forces.

Longworth Hospital Occupation 1981

COHSE members had always been at the forefront of the campaign to defend NHS services.

In early December 1980 a brave fight was waged by COHSE nurses and NHS staff to keep open a rural 50 beded care of the elderly hospital called Longworth in Oxfordshire.

Faced with immediate closure of 13 beds on the top floor of the hospital, staff knew it would only be a matter of time before the rest of the hospital would be closed and the patients transferred to Whitney hospital eight miles away

So with held from Oxford Trades Union Council the hospital was occupied by the eighty nursing and support staff.

Assistant COHSE Steward Myra Bungay stated to the Health Service Journal

"We're fighting for the life of the hospital.........Most of the patients have been here a long time and Longworth is now home to them"

The refusal of Ambulancemen to remove patients from the hospital also strengthened the occupation.

Typically the Royal College of Nursing General secretary Catherine Hall condemned the action demanding that the "Management regain control of the hospital for the sake of nurses and patients" local Rcn Regional Officer Bill Reynolds said"The AHA have lost all control of the hospital" he also claimed a Rcn steward at the hospital had been transferred to another hospital "because the AHA cannot guarantee her safety"

However the courageous fight was to be a brief one, In early February (Tuesday 10th ?) 1981, in a surprise raid by management, the vulnerable patients were removed from the hospital by force and moved to the Churchill Hospital.

As was well documented many of the frail elderly patients now seriously disorientated did not survive many weeks after they were ripped from their homes and the staff the knew (later know as the relocation effect

Police sealed off roads around the hospital to prevent supporters defending the hospital.

The Area Health authority claimed it had raided the hospital because COHSE nurses refused to call off the work-in

Ernie Brook COHSE Regional Officer stated " The Area Health Authority gave verbal assurances it would retain the beds for the next three or four years, when I went to receive its written assurance of the agreement, this sticking point was not included"

"Our COHSE members had fought bravely to defend patient care and the hospital'

Longworth Hospital closed soon after the occupation.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Olympics 2012 - We Love OUR NHS

Thanks to Nurse Kate and Danny Boyle of course !

Olympic NHS Nurses Tweet Pics - Liberal Conspiracy

NHS Nurses Pic - Liberal Conspiracy
Sunny Hundal

You saw the NHS nurses at the Olympics ceremony last night… but what happened afterwards? Horse McDonald @horsemusic

They returned home of course, many of them decked out in their brilliant costumes. Some went out drinking afterwards.

Naturally, Twitter was ablaze with their pictures. Here is a selection.