Unions and Labour Party launch Staff Manifesto

The trade unions and representatives of the Labour Party in Islington launch the "Staff Manifesto" this afternoon in the Leaders' office.

Pictured in first picture (from the left): Labour Group Leader  Councillor Richard Watts, Mike Calvert (UNISON Labour Link Officer and Deputy Branch Secretary), Jane Doolan (UNISON Branch Secretary) and Labour Group Deputy Leader Councillor Andy Hull.

Second picture includes (from left):  Councillor Richard Watts (Leader of the Labour Group), Vaughan West (GMB Branch Secretary), Jane Doolan (UNISON Branch Secretary), Mike  Calvert (UNISON Labour Link Officer and Deputy Branch Secretary), George Sharkey (GMB Branch Secretary) and Councillor Andy Hull (Deputy Leader of the Labour Group).


Mike Calvert, Islington UNISON Labour Link Officer said:

"This is a good document and hopefully we can get other local Labour Groups to adopt similar documents in the run-up to the elections in May. Wherever UNISON has influence we should be trying to use that."


LETTERS: Manifesto priorities for Islington Labour
Published: 25 April, 2014

LAST week, Islington Labour launched its staff manifesto, endorsed by Islington Unison and Islington GMB.

The 2014 staff manifesto contains key priorities for Unison. It maintains a previous agreement that public services are better and more accountable if run directly by the council.

Other pledges go beyond the previous commitment to implementing the London Living Wage.

The council will now try to ensure contracted-out services do not exploit workers through zero-hour contracts.

Also, that there are decent pension schemes, that health and safety and equalities are robustly monitored and that contractors will support trade union recognition.

Islington Unison has achieved some excellent commitments and it is to be hoped this will encourage other Labour councils to do the same.

ANDREW BERRY
Unison National Labour Link Committee (Greater London rep)