LABOUR will be calling on Bromsgrove District Council to better promote trade unions and encourage the ‘highest possible employment standards’ in the town.
A motion by Councillor Harrison Rone-Clarke next month will ask the authority to establish a comprehensive function, where it regularly liaises with trade unions representing workers employed by the council.
Labour says the idea is to reaffirm the authority’s commitment during the pandemic to consult with trade unions.
Especially as workplaces are common places for people to be infected by Covid-19.
The group will also ask the council to promote trade union membership both as an employer and for the people of Bromsgrove.
Coun Rone-Clarke said: “Trade unions are vital to ensuring the safety and security of workers; the District Council is more than a local authority, it’s also an employer.
“Union membership brings job security and is instrumental in shrinking the gender pay gap.
“Members of trade unions have greater protection from Covid-19 and the economic fallout it has caused.
“And they will provide greater employment rights beyond the end of the pandemic.”
Coun Rone-Clarke added how proud he is to have proposed the creation of the equality task group at the council.
“Throughout the process of preparing our findings, we’ve discovered that unions representing council staff don’t feel they have a seat at the table,” he said.
The motion will be discussed at the council’s next full council meeting on January 20.
