UNISON Greater London joined the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to launch the Good Work Standard at City Hall today.
Speaking at the launch Maggi Ferncombe, Regional Secretary said:
‘UNISON is extremely proud to have worked with the Mayor on this initiative. I’m also very proud to be addressing you as a Londoner, who lives and works here.
“We are one of a number of unions that helped develop this together with the TUC, as the London Mayor acknowledges that workplaces that recognise trade unions have better wages, better working conditions and generally happier staff. We are somewhat experts in this field – we have always campaigned for work to be good for people and society.
“London is the best and most vibrant city and is one of the most diverse in the world – and that means a diverse working population.
“Yet we face a significant increase in child poverty in London and amazingly an increase of Londoner’s now in in-work poverty.
“But with the Good Work Standard there is now hope.
“Working Londoner’s don’t ask for much- a fair wage for their work; a safe place to work; opportunities to progress regardless of their gender, age, race or sexuality; a healthy workplace that recognises and celebrates all abilities and diversity and an employer that values them and their views.
“The good work standard embodies all of these things.
“Employers who attain the standard are not only proving that they are a good employer that values its employees, they are also proving that they invest in any businesses best assets – their staff.
“Employers who attain the standard can attract talented and committed staff, have a low staff turnover, higher morale, better retention rates and ultimately better production of their goods or services.
“For staff of employers who attain the standard – they can be sure that their employers value their work, recognise and celebrates a diverse workforce, they can earn a proper living wage and they can have opportunities at work.
“Importantly this isn’t a tick box exercise. Employers have to evidence good practice – UNISON should know, I’m proud to say that we are one of the early adopters who have attained the standard.
“This is a win-win for London – and we should all be proud of a Mayor who has introduced an initiative that will benefit all Londoners and the London economy.
“Employers and businesses should be queuing up to sign up for this, believe me, you will have the full support of your staff and their trade unions when you do.”
The Good Work Standard was developed by The Mayors Office in conjunction with a number of London Businesses, the CIPD (Chartered Institute for Professionals and Development) and Trade Unions, including UNISON.
Details of how to attain it are available online here.
The public and third sector employers accredited to the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard at the launch are:
- House of St Barnabas
- Museum of London
- Francis Crick Institute
- Camden Council
- Croydon Council
- Greenwich council
- Islington Council
- Southwark Council
- UNISON
- Trades Union Congress
- Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation
- London Fire Brigade
- London Legacy Development Corporation
- Greater London Authority
- London & Partners
- Transport for London (TfL)
- The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC)
- Metropolitan Police Service