Newcastle Labour

A campaign has been launched today calling for a Living Wage for Newcastle.
The TUC, Unite, workers from within the council and Labour councillors have joined forces today and launched their campaign for a living wage for the City. The living wage would tackle poverty, and in particular turn Newcastle into a beacon in eliminating child poverty. The campaign is to get both public and private sector employers to pay every worker in the City at least £7 an hour (or a higher figure to be determined by a local Living Wage Commission).
Under the plans, to be debated at the City Council meeting tonight, the Council would ensure it paid the living wage to its own employees and would require contractors who provide services for the council to also be part of the scheme.
Nick Forbes, Newcastle Labour Leader said “There are 1,249 staff at the City Council being paid less than £7 per hour. Many of these are women in part time jobs such as cleaners and kitchen assistants. In addition, hundreds of staff in the care sector are on the minimum wage. This leads to a high turnover of staff, reduced quality of care and a sense that these vital jobs, caring for and looking after people, are undervalued.
Introducing a minimum wage for Newcastle would give an income boost to thousands of people. It would reduce poverty at a stroke, lead to greater job satisfaction and provide real benefits to our local economy.
Establishing a living wage commission of unions, employers, voluntary and pressure groups creates a new consensus around tackling poverty. I want the City Council to be leading this process, by ensuring that it guarantees a minimum wage for its own staff and those from whom it commissions services. The Council would then have the moral authority to promote the benefits of the living wage to other employers in the city.”
Henri Murison, campaign organiser said “After successful living wage campaigns in Manchester, Glasgow and Oxford we are hopeful that we can win the fight for a living wage – whether or not the other groups on the council decide to support this initiative tonight.”
“I’d like to thank the TUC and Unite for their statements of support, and union members in the council who I know have been discussing and debating these proposals with us. We have launched our campaign blog at newcastlelivingwage.blogspot.com to keep local people informed and allow them to show their support."