UNISON National Housing Seminar 2011: "We Ain’t Seen Nothin' Yet"

Keynote speaker, Heather Wakefield, Head of UNISON Local Government. (Usual health warning about the accuracy of my hurriedly typed notes) "It seems to have been a very long year. So much destruction has taken place. We now know that Nick Clegg “cries”. Bless his heart. His cabinet of millionaires that wreaks our welfare state. £80 billion in cuts. With no mandate to do so. Before the election Nick Clegg said not a single front line worker would be affected.  Check out Richard Murphy’s excellent blog on taxation. The Tory minister who boasted that these are cuts that “Mrs. Thatcher could only have dreamed about”.

This financial crisis was caused by banks and financial services. Who caused a massive reduction from 60% to 35% in the share of wealth. This led to the debt crisis. They lent mortgages to those who could never pay for them. It was not us, not you, that caused this crisis - but the friends of this Cabinet. They are proposing massive cuts in housing and people’s rights. Pay cuts, even though Local government pay is the lowest in all public services. The new White paper that will propose that all public services in England will have to be put out to tender. Also the review of “public duties”. We ain’t seen nothing yet - I am very sorry to say. We all know someone who has been made redundant. Many Tory and coalition councils don’t have to cut as much as they need to - they are not necessary. Thanks to Pete Challis for his work on educating branches and regional organisers on Council finances and show it is possible to not make such cuts. There are 3 things to do

1. Get technical – get on top of budgets.
2. Get political. There has been a lot of disengagement by branches in politics - especially in England. Nowadays a lot of branches do not think they should engage politically but I think we should be doing this. We have to use the local elections to give the coalition a “bloody nose” if we can. This is essential. Certainly not everything was rosy under a Labour government and Labour councils, we all know that, but just think of the difference between now and then. We have to undermine them.

3.Massively increase density. It is around 50% in local government but below this in some branches. We cannot allow our industrial bargaining position to fall in line with lower density. There is no excuse for any reduction in density. We must build organisation and strength. We have got to use our industrial muscle only when we can and when it will achieve what we want it to do. Industrial action is an important weapon. I’ve been told off in the past as being too keen than some about strikes but if we have industrial action that does not deliver – this does not improve things. If we have industrial action over pay or pensions we need to get our records updated. We cannot afford to take action that is not successful. That is what the government wants us to do – to get egg on our face. Take precipitate industrial action.  

UNISON branches are doing an amazing job day in and day out. We may not stop every redundancy. But we have seen success by taking councils on over finance, equality impact statements and campaigning. We have had successful industrial action and I am sure we will continue to have more. This is a government who despite being hard nose bastards can be forced to backtrack and do a “U turn”. Have seen this over Forests but also plans to cut housing benefit for those who are unemployed. There was a partial victory over EMA and the “break” over plans to privatise our NHS. It can be done. Got to be very canny about the way we do it.

Our primary job is to defend our members - we are a trade union but we must also win the argument with the public against privatisation. We cannot afford it. Public money goes down the drain; millions spent on drawing up processes and increased money for senior management. Don’t forget the shareholders premium. Privatisation only delivers cheaper services on the backs of cuts in our member’s wages and conditions. They have got rid of the 2 tier code so new starters will not be paid decent pay and terms. Decent Pensions will also soon go. Privatisation is the biggest threat face the union.  

So what to do? March 26th was a great day. In itself it may have affected the NHS proposals. They, the government, would love us to wear ourselves out by constant marching and industrial action. How do we build on March 26th? How to keep the pressure up on the government and coalition councils? Develop a massive movement against this government from the bottom up. There is no other alternative. We can have another March 26 and this would not change the governments mind. We in housing have to work with tenant and resident groups, voluntary organisations and others and not just fight for pay and pensions. The groups who are taking action against tax corruption such as London Citizens and UK uncut. Important social movements that are born of the same feelings as us. They are different from us. We in the unions are big organisations and are use to leading, but we have to work with others. There are problems with the politics. But by working with other unions and peoples who feel like us - we can derail this government". 

It's tomorrow! Stand up for your Public Services and an Alternative Economic Policy

Get out and march tomorrow.  Newham Trade Unions and the local Labour Party are meeting up outside Stratford Station ticket barrier at 10.30am. But you can turn up as late as 2pm to Embankment to take part in the March. Check TUC latest tips here. 

Lyn Brown MP attacks Tories over abolition of EMA

Watch this YouTube clip of West Ham Labour MP, Lyn Brown, tearing into this Tory–led Coalition while on the floor of the House of Commons, over the abolition of the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA).

Save Our NHS: Sign 38 Degrees petition

Cick on here  to sign the Petition "Save Our NHS" by 38 Degrees.  They have over 195,000 signature and are aiming for 250,000.

"The Petition Text

To the Coalition government,

Our NHS is precious - we won't forgive you if you ruin it

• Don’t break up our health service and hand it to private healthcare companies
• Listen to the the real experts - doctors, nurses and patients - when they give warnings about these plans
• Don't rush through massive changes without testing them properly first
• Protect patient care - don't cut beds, wards, doctors or nurses"

March with us for Newham: Saturday 26th March

I am really pleased that in Newham, our Local Labour Party and trade unions are mounting a joint campaign against these vile Tory-led Government cuts.  This Labour Movement family leaflet was jointly produced and paid for by the Party and the unions.  Yesterday it was handed out across Newham.

Never let anyone forget that the blame for these massive and unnecessary cuts lies solely with this dogmatic and ideological Tory-led government.  There is an alternative.

UPDATE: DISTRICT LINE DOWN ON 26.3.11 - EVERYONE NOW MEET UP 10:30AM OUTSIDE TICKET BARRIER STRATFORD STATION

St Georges Hospital, London - £55 Million Cuts - 500 Jobs going

Despite the great news today about the Tory climbdown over the privatisation of our Forests and the apparent retreat over reducing Housing benefit for the unemployed.  This Government still shows its nasty, vindictive side by the announcement that "Leading Hospital" St Georges in Tooting London will suffer £55 million in cuts and 500 hospital jobs (10%) cut.  Three wards are due to close. 

UNISON PRESS RELEASE "Staff at St Georges Hospital, South London have acted with growing shock and anger at the announcement that 500 posts ( almost 10% of the workforce)at the hospital are to be axed as part of the Governments 20 billion NHS cuts programme.

St George's will now be forced to cut £50m from its annual budget, cut 500 medical nursing and health care posts close wards, cut approximately 100 beds, and cap the number of births in its Midwifery unit to 5,000 a year Posts affected include frontline doctors, nurses and professional staff.

Michael Walker, UNISON Regional Officer, states "In a week when the bankers are set to receive huge pay rises and multi million pound bonuses, we are going to witness the spectre at St George's of dedicated nurses, doctors and health staff losing their jobs. How can that be fair or right?"

Nurse Jane Pilgrim, UNISON Nursing Convenor at St Georges Hospital states:
"We were told by the Government that there would be no cuts in frontline posts but in reality the NHS is witnessing swingeing cuts to frontline services every day".

Geoff Thorne, UNISON St George's Branch Secretary stated: "Before the General Election Andrew Lansley visited St Georges Hospital and gave a personal guarantee to staff that there would be no frontline cuts in the NHS"

Nora Pearce UNISON Midwifery Convenor states: "Capping the number of births at St George's to just 3,000 a year will mean thousands of local women will no-longer be able to have their babies at St George's, denying them the back up and confidence they know comes from having a baby at an internationally renowned teaching hospital.

Michael Walker, UNISON Regional Officer stated: "UNISON will be working with St George's Hospital management to mitigate the impact of these cuts on patients and staff. Mr Lansley needs to urgently recognise the damage he is causing to the NHS with these unprecedented levels of cuts".

"We fear these cuts are just the prelude to even greater cuts in our NHS when the Government unleash GP Commissioning and GP's are forced to ration care.  "We urge all local Member's of Parliament, of all political persuasion’s to intercede and urge Andrew Lansley the Conservative Secretary of State for Health to halt these disastrous cuts at St George's before patient care suffers.

Cut crime not Police staff

UNISON slams pay cuts of up to 60% at London Housing Association

This press release from National UNISON is featured today on its website. 

"UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today hit out at plans by Ekaya Housing Association in South London to cut pay by up to 60%, as well as declaring compulsory redundancies and increasing hours.

The salary cuts at Ekaya range from 35% to 57.9%, and staff will be asked to work 2.5 hours more per week.

The union is calling on the housing association to put the brakes on the damaging plans and hold a thorough and meaningful consultation.

Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:

“Pay cuts on this scale are unthinkable for hardworking families. How would you cope with 60% less in your pocket? Matters are made even worse by high inflation – pilling the pounds onto basic, everyday living.

“Ekaya have not been through a proper consultation on these plans. The association desperately need to carry out an equality impact assessment, as these cuts are set to hit black and ethnic minority women hard.

“Ekaya must get into talks.”

See Tuesday's post here

Employer wants to Slash Wages by 35% to 57% (repeat 35%-57%!)

This is incredible.  This is not a wind up or a joke. In the current "Cuts" crisis some small voluntary sector employers have clearly lost the plot. Ekaya Housing Association are planning to cut their 44 workers pay by between 35% to 57%!  Check out this UNISON Housing Association Branch press release (double click to bring up details). 

"Housing Association Cuts Workers Pay by up
to 60%

Management at Ekaya Housing Association in South London are proposing large scale salary cuts, in some cases by almost 60%, in addition to the introduction of a longer working week and compulsory redundancies.

The salary cuts range from 35% to 57.49% and all staff will be asked to work a further 2.5 hours every week. These cuts will disproportionately hit women from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds working for the association. Ekaya provide invaluable services to teenage mothers, victims of domestic violence and other vulnerable members of society.

However unions fear that the cuts could lead to the closure of services and are concerned about the impact that this will have on the wider community.

Despite the legal obligation for collective consultation Ekaya has not discussed its proposals with staff representatives. It is also felt that the limited consultation that has taken place is not meaningful as information provided by Ekaya management has been insufficient for staff to fully understand what the plans entail. UNISON are calling upon Ekaya Housing Association to halt the process until the proposals can be properly assessed and consulted upon. In the current economic climate the union feels that Ekaya has a social responsibility to ensure that any necessary cuts are well considered and fairly implemented.

Housing Association Branch Secretary John Gray “Why are Ekaya treating their staff so badly? Why are they ignoring the law of the land regarding employment rights? Why are they slashing their workers pay and sacking people without properly considering the alternatives?”

UNISON is arranging a lobby of members local MPs, Assembly members and Councillors to press their case. Details to follow."  

Further details Jason Deacy Communications Officer, UNISON Housing Association Branch

83 Crouch End Hill, London, N8 8DD

info@unisonhablondon.org

http://www.unisonhablondon.org/

020 8340 7918

31 January 2011

Please send messages of support for Ekaya members to the branch.

UPDATE: Check out UNISON national press release here

This is what Tories do...So why are you surprised they are selling our forests?

Hat-tip to Country Standard blog for this report about the Condems plan to privatise 15% of the land (correction it is now not 15% but all of our land) owned by the Forestry Commission. 

Someone I met today, a traditional Tory supporter, was absolutely outraged by this plan and flabbergasted that the government is even thinking of doing this.  Err...Yeah, but...

This sort of stunned outrage is becoming quite commonplace.  Non-political friends and family, work colleagues, union members and even union activists will come up to me and in detail express their shock and horror at the latest vile proposal or act of this government.  Well...yes, but didn't you say you were not voting at the election since they were "all the same"?

My stock response is Err yes...but this what Tories do, surely you know this? Obviously not.  Even from those who like me lived through the 1980's appear shocked.

I even had someone banging the drum about this 'orrible government who before the General Election told me that Mr Cameron is a "nice man" who should be given a chance!!!!

Much, much worse recently I heard a paid union official slag off Labour Party controlled Councils while justifiably complaining bitterly about cuts and job losses and yet never uttered a single word of criticism about the government...FFS - what is going on here?

To be honest I am getting just a little bit fed up with all this.  We told people what to expect if the Tories got in and 71% of people didn't believe us.  We have to accept responsibility for losing the election but those who voted against us or did not vote have got to accept responsibility as well for what is happening.

Tower Hamlets Homes Lobby

This evening I went along to a noisy but largely cheerful lobby by UNISON members of a Tower Hamlets Homes Board meeting in the Toby Club in Bethnal Green.  Tower Hamlets Homes is a ALMO which has run into let us say "problems".

I use to be an assistant branch secretary of the  UNISON Tower Hamlets Local Government Branch and was invited by local stewards to attend this lobby.

Management have announced 80 redundancies (out of some 500 staff).  Which is bad enough - but what has incensed the workforce is that they have been told that they have to apply within 7 days for voluntary redundancy or they will lose any right to a severance payment.  Despite the fact this severance payment is a TUPE right!

What is even more iniquitous is that the staff have not been told what possible jobs are available under the new proposed structure.  Never mind what are the proposed job descriptions, numbers of posts, possible grades and assimilation rights.  These are agreed good practice HR processes which are being simply ignored.

What this means is that staff are being blackmailed into applying for redundancy before knowing all the facts and when it might have turned out that they have a job to go to after all.  This is bad employment practice and probably needs to be tested at an employment tribunal. 

Wearing another "hat" I am extremely concerned at some other allegations made about staff aged 55 or over which I will investigate further.

Staff told me that they understood that the organisation has severe financial difficulties and they have their own ideas about reducing costs but the current process is simply wrong and grossly unfair.

The UNISON reps did have a number of positive and constructive conversations with managers and members of the Board on the way in which I thought were really helpful. The reps had produced an excellent precise and hard hitting leaflet detailing their concerns. 

All in all a successful text book lobby and many thanks to Tony and Trevor for organising it.  They tell me this is only the beginning.

Stop the jobseeker injustice

Well done to the NHF for carrying on with their "Don't mention the housing crisis" campaign post General election.  Also, for annoying Coalition ministers for pointing out the inequities and injustices of their policies.

This screen print from their website encourages you to contact your MP about the latest bit of Condem viciousness towards the vulnerable. 

"The Government is planning to cut support for people who are looking for work.

From 2013, job seekers will see a 10% cut in their housing benefit if it takes them longer than a year to find a job, while claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).

This proposal is wrong, it will penalise people who simply can’t find work and threatens to increase homelessness or debt among vulnerable people.

A young person hit by this cut will have to live on an average of just £41.65 a week.

Your MP has the power to vote against the change in Parliament, use this template email to ask your MP to stop this injustice from happening.

We've made this easy for you with this template email which we encourage you to personalise. Once you've finished it, just click 'send' and it will be emailed to your MP".

UNISON Nurses say "Stop the Cuts and defend our NHS"!

This is a great picture of UNISON Nurses from St Georges Hospital in Tooting, South London. Who have taken today "time out...to protest at the Governments planned NHS reforms and decision to cut £10bn a year from the NHS through so called efficiency savings.

UNISON Nursing staff at St George's have signalled that they will not hesitate to speak out against Government plans for swingeing cuts and privatisation of the NHS.

Michael Walker UNISON Regional Officer states

"UNISON will not sit ideally by and watch our NHS services slashed and privatised. Britain did not vote for the introduction of an American health care system, a system which is not comprehensive, bureaucratic, expensive and where increased competition not collaboration costs patients lives".

Jane Pilgrim UNISON Nursing Convenor at St George's Hospital, Tooting states

"Over one hundred nurses at St Georges Hospital have already signalled they will be joining the TUC rally to defend public services on Saturday 26th March in central London and we are receiving incredible support from the local community". 

Hat-tip UNISON press release.

The Tories: Family Butchers Since 1679

hat tip Isleworth Labour Party

The CUTS Factor: Vote for 2010 Worse Spending Cuts

I voted for "Deprived areas: Local Authority Funding weighted unfairly. Just select your own "worse cut" and click on "submit". Hat tip TUC Touchstone

Join us against government cuts to London

"Following the Local Government Finance Settlement it's clear London has suffered a raw deal, with its councils facing average cuts of 11.25 per cent. The average for the rest of England is 9.93 per cent. So much for Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson's claim to have mounted a ‘Stalingrad like defence' of funding for London.

We must be clear - the size and the speed of these cuts are a choice the Conservative-led government is making. Councils in London are being forced into making the heaviest cuts in the next year because of the decisions taken by George Osborne and Eric Pickles, damaging frontline services and putting jobs and the recovery at risk.

Our first responsibility is to protect the communities we serve, pressing the government to abandon its course and minimising the pain of the government's cuts for residents. However the scale of the cuts in funding for councils is so big that in many cases this will not be enough to protect many vital services.

There is little doubt that local government cuts of this size, imposed this quickly and frontloaded in the first year will hit many of the important frontline services families and communities rely on. Roads already damaged last winter could go unrepaired this year too. Potholes could go unfixed, pavements unswept. Streetlights will be turned off. Youth clubs will close. Libraries will shut down. As more people than ever need help with social care, fewer will find their local council able to help.

Whether from local government, Parliament, City Hall, the trade unions or local Labour parties, London Labour's approach will be based on uniting everyone in London opposed to the way the government has handed these cuts to councils and focusing our campaign where it deserves to be focused - on the government.

We urge the government to carefully reconsider the serious impact of policies on the quality of life of millions of Londoners, rethink the settlement and give the capital a fair deal."

Yours sincerely (this email signed by every leader in London Labour)

Coalition Council Cuts: Robbing the Poor to pay for the Rich

Highest cuts:-
LB Hackney 8.9%
LB Tower Hamlets 8.9%
LB Newham 8.9%
Manchester MBC 8.9%
Rochdale MBC 8.9%
Knowsley MBC 8.9%
Liverpool MBC 8.9%
St Helens MBC 8.9%
Doncaster MBC 8.9%
S Tyneside MBC 8.9%
Blackburn with Darwen UA 8.9%
Halton UA 8.9%
Hartlepool UA 8.9%
Hull UA 8.9%
Middlesbrough UA 8.9%
NE Lincs UA 8.9%

Lowest cuts:-
Poole 0.97%
Hampshire 0.95%
West Sussex 0.65%
Wokingham 0.63%
Richmond-upon-Thames 0.61%
Buckinghamshire 0.60%
Surrey 0.31%
Dorset +0.25% (yes, that is a plus - an increase not a cut)

Hat Tip to Luke for above information.  Some are arguing that Pickle's figures are wrong and the cuts will be even more drastic and the actual reduction could be up to 9.9%! 

So the leafy Royal Borough of Richmond loses 0.61% and my inner city borough Newham 8.9%.

These reductions are just vile and show that the poor and vulnerable are being penalised for not voting Tory or Lib Dem. Even worse than that they are being used to pay for the excesses of the rich bankers and financiers.

"Why cuts are the wrong cure"

This is a great video produced by the new "there is alternative to cuts" website "False Economy". 

This is what it says about the site "False Economy came about through discussions between on-line activists, campaigners and trade unions. Out of this a small working group was formed to guide the creation of False Economy. The site was built by Clifford Singer, who developed MyDavidCameron and runs The Other TaxPayers’ Alliance. Initial funding has been provided by the TUC and other unions. We are now seeking further funding, and will soon be able to receive donations online".

Hat tip to Col. Roi. 

Save Our Services: March next Saturday in Woking

"Saturday December 11th, 12.15pm at Gloucester Square, Woking MARCH TO SAVE OUR SERVICES IN SURREY and HANTS

Labour and Trade Unions Against the Cuts. Organised by Surrey Labour Party.

This is the best opportunity for Labour and the trade unions locally to publicise our position against the cuts. Make a stand with us as the cuts will cause unfair suffering to the poor and disabled, the sectors least able to help themselves. Also, the scale and speed of the cuts is ideologically driven and threatens to bury, not rescue the economy.

Assemble in Gloucester Square at 12.15pm. Parking is just over the road in Brewery Road car park (may be full so get there early) or more car parks 80 yards further on up the ramp JUST past the new Victoria Theatre into the multi-story. Allow 15 minutes to park and get back to assembly point. Woking Station is a five minute walk - make for the Town Square and go 50 yards beyond to the assembly point in Gloucester Square. The March finishes at 1.15pm.

Press and local radio releases will give further speakers as they confirm. Harriett Yeo, Labour Party National Executive and TSSA will speak at 12.30 at the assembly point.

Send this on to other supporters as soon as you can. Let's see what support we can raise and help to make the March a great success.

STOP PRESS ..........
More speakers and marchers are being promised every day and the Rally and March is growing fast. TSSA and FBU leaders will speak at 12.30 before the move off at 12.45. Other unions are coming too, including UNITE, Unison, CWU, with students from Woking Guildford and Godalming.

Murray Rowlands SCLP Chair
Surrey Labour Party Steering Committee"

Hat tip SERTUC

(JG) Off message but the train home from the LAPFF conference yesterday stopped breifly at Woking. The only other time I had ever been at Woking was 28 years ago when a friend and I went looking for a mate, Neil T, who had suddenly disappeared overnight while at Leeds University. His family ran a newsagents near the station. We found out from them he had dropped out to join the Parachute Regiment of the French Foreign Legion. He later deserted, rejoined after a spell in military prison then deserted again (by foot through a South American jungle).  Modern day students seem far more sensible.

UNISON Community Conference 2010: Dave Prentis

Our General Secretary gave the key note speech to Conference.  He began by playing a tribute to activists.  John Martin, who was a guest of this conference had spend many years trying to bring about today.  Community is the fastest growing part of the union.  If we recruited as well elsewhere in UNISON as we have done in Community we would have more than 2 million members.  Equally, Community activists have been forced to fight.  In the dispute with Notting Hill Housing.  They had to take action against purely ideological attacks by a CEO that advises Tories on housing policies.  In Hampshire there is currently a dispute over an attempt to derecognise our union. 

There is an onslaught on everything we have negotiated in the past for our members.  This is crunch time.  The greatest test for our union and our membership.  Attacks at a time when the economy is on life support.  All are being hurt by ideological polices by this government. They have no democratic mandate.  Attacking pay, pensions, jobs, public services and our welfare state.  Attacks the like we have never seen before.  Applying a Chainsaw to public services.  This is not due to the deficit but due to an ideology that hates public services and loves privatisation.  An ideology that sees public services not as an achievement but as something to attack. 

This coalition has a choice – it could go back to Banks, the Spivs, and the Speculators and say “you caused this mess now you clear it up”.  No, their friends in the City say you cannot do this but instead attack the benefits of poor people.  They will let down the people who rely on the services that we provide.  If money is available for banks and bonuses, for war and Trident then there is definitely money available for public services.  Money for the Social Housing that we need so much.  If money is that tight why have Bankers and Executives increased their money by 55% in the last year alone.  We have had enough of their greed and arrogance.  Spivs should do less for themselves and more for their country. 

Our commitment is that unions will speak for those who work for public services and those who rely on them.  We will be your voice to let people know what we are doing.  We cannot have thousands of families having to move homes.  Got to build opposition. Not to sit back.  We must recruit to lever support.  We have got to give practical support to those on our communities fighting to defend services and not just to look after the interests of our members.  We have got to stand together for what is right. 

The recent massive lobby of parliaments.  More people outside Westminster Hall than able to get inside.  This was a tremendous start.  Movement of trade unions and community groups, pensioners, students, taxpayer and unemployed.  Not just to oppose cuts and protect jobs and services.  Got to be a movement to campaign and build a better future.  Build an economy to build a better society.  We have our million voices for public services and a million voices to build a better society.  Build alliances with other unions to break the pay freeze.  We will rise to the challenge.  This is our time.  Unions were born in adversely.  Our history is about protecting the poor against the rich.  We have got through good times and more difficult times. This is our time not just for members now but for their future.  Yes, will lose some of these battles but we will have victories along the way.  Show our resolve to protect our welfare state.  Go back to 1945 when after the war there was a massive debt which we have only just paid off now.  The Labour Party still came out with a manifest building for the future – they created NHS, schools and the welfare state and we will not let this government take this away.  We want a society that says whatever your lack of wealth you deserve dignity.   

Unison has 1.4 million in membership.  We are the public services union.  Other unions in the UK and Europe look to UNISON to lead the fight.  What I say to you more than anything is that we will lead the fight.  If Osborne cuts go thru cuts we will fight back.  If they come for our pensions, I am sure it will be the straw that will break the camel’s back.  We will march next year; will hold rallies, walkouts and we will be visible. 

We may march in our thousands but we vote in our millions.   We must let people know where blame lays – the Banks and the Coalition who wants to make cuts to the poor rather than the wealth of our friends.  We are not waiting 4 years.  Next year in May local elections, get them out of our Town Halls.  In Wales and Scotland get them out. 

Defend our members in the workplace. Challenge Cllrs and MP's, we have got a plan that will move forward but it needs your involvement.  Will be great for us to prove what unions can do.  The reason why unions came about is to protect.  Not just this generation but future generation. Thanks for what you have done and what you will do in future.