London Living Wage: a message from the Mayor
This article titled “London Living Wage: a message from the Mayor” was written by Dave Hill, for guardian.co.uk on Monday 9th May 2011 15.00 UTCA little late but quite a lot better than never I bring you Boris’s video link message to those who recently celebrated ten years of the London Living Wage campaign.
Love how he frames his case in terms of economic self-interest serving the common good – he’s such a Milton man. But the LLW is also one of those areas where Boris’s style and philosophy may differ from that of Ken Livingstone – who attended the celebration in person – but the objective appears to be precisely the same. No wonder Ken’s now trying to outbid the Mayor. A recent press release from his campaign team:
Six years after introducing the first ever London Living Wage, Ken Livingstone has called for the urgent adoption of five measures to boost the incomes of thousands of low paid workers. Ken introduced the London Living Wage in 2005, fulfilling a manifesto promise.
If elected Mayor in 2012 Ken will:
1. Make the living wage a condition of procurement, employment and services provided by the Greater London Authority (GLA) group.
2. Reinforce the Living Wage unit within the GLA so that it can provide aid in areas such as the law to unions and other groups campaigning for the Living Wage.
3. Work with the boroughs to adopt it and launch a Living Wage Charter, giving full support to and working with the London Citizens campaign to get private employers to adopt the Charter.
4. Encourage trade union membership in order to fight for it, and a fair deal for London’s workers generally.
5. Launch a campaign for Londoners and visitors to give cash tips to London’s 300,000 restaurant and catering staff, to stop the practice of tips being used to top up wages to reach the minimum wage.
Any suggestions for an imaginary point six?. How about, Boris get off my lawn.
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010
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I was at the Living Wage Assembly last week where parents spoke movingly of being able to spend time with their children as a result of being paid the London Living Wage instead of having to undertake two or more jobs just to make ends meet. Realistic wages that reflect the cost of living and suitable housing are essential to ensuring that London is a city where you can bring up a family. I was born and raised in London and am now bringing up young children here. Standing up for families is one of my highest priorities which is why I went to show my support for the London Living Wage last week. The community leaders have achieved better wages for thousands of London parents through this Campaign and are supported by Mayor Boris Johnson who was described last week as the ‘hero of the campaign’ for his work encouraging London employers of the benefit of paying a London Living Wage.
Naomi Newstead
Conservative London Assembly Candidate for North East London