Making Newham the First Ever Living Wage Borough

Newham Co-op Party and TULO Meeting on tackling Poverty

Last Thursday's meeting with guest speaker, local MP for West Ham, Lyn Brown (see centre of photo) to tackle poverty in Newham, East London (home of the 2012 Olympics) was probably one of the most constructive and positive local Labour Movement meetings that I have attended. This issue is all about helping to progress social justice and can unite all sections of the Party and trade unions.

The debate began by describing the good work that had been carried by trade unions such as the T&G and community groups elsewhere in London. Making sure large institutions such as Banks and Universities, check that all their staff (including sub-contractors such as cleaners and security staff) are paid a "living wage" in London (£7.05 p/hour). The "minimum wage" is a massive achievement for the Labour Government and those (relatively few) trade unions who fought for it. However, everyone who lives in London knows that the cost of living in the capital is far more than elsewhere (please note I was brought up outside London).

Lyn gave a detailed and sober speech describing the scale of the problem in Newham, with research that shows 20% of Newham workers earn less than the living wage and the impact that such low pay has on deprivation and crime. She also pointed out that raising pay levels alone will not be enough due to the extraordinary high level of rents in Newham. The benefit and tax system will also need to be reformed. The continued failure to treat Newham as an inner city borough with regard to the Government financial settlement also needs to be successfully challenged.

There was a wide ranging discussion with contributions from everybody present. Following which we decided: -

1. To Campaign for a Living Wage in Newham.
2. To work in partnership with Newham Labour group, Newham MP's Lyn Brown and Stephen Timms, other relevant elected politicians and local community groups (TELCO/Community Links) to achieve this aim.
3. A working Party should be set up to plan ahead John Saunders (UCU), Cllr Jon Knotts (UNISON), Cllr David Griffin (Amicus), Gloria Hanson (UNISON), John Whitworth (UCU), Cllr Amarjit Singh (TSSA) and me (UNISON).
4. It was proposed to identify several large employers (The Council, universities/colleges, Banks, Supermarkets? ) located in the borough and approach them to find out what they pay staff. If they fail to pay a living wage then to engage with these employers in order to make them change their mind.
5. Including approaching Pension fund trustees to consider lobbying fund managers and company AGMs?

6. With Lyn's help organise a delegation of Newham affiliates to lobby ministers.
7. Encourage trade union membership in Newham as the best way in the long term of improving pay and conditions.

I'll keep people posted on our success (or otherwise) however this is the sort thing that I think all London Labour Parties and trade union affiliates (and other areas outside London with above average living costs) should be working upon.

Tomorrow is the UNISON regional Labour Link forum and I will be proposing a motion regarding a "Living wage", which if accepted I will post later and which readers are welcome to use to submit to their own branches/wards.