Agenda

(Members must indicate which specific agenda item any declaration relates to.)

Disclosure by Members of “Disclosable Pecuniary Interests” (as defined by The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012), and Members’ “Personal Interests” in accordance with paragraph 12.1 of Salford City Council’s Code of Conduct for Members.  

When submitting petitions, elected members are requested to provide contact details (preferably including an email address) for the lead petitioner to which correspondence can be sent.

Petitions should also clearly state what issues they concern and any potential outcomes and actions which are sought.

In Support of Trade Union Rights

To be moved by Councillor Jack Youd and seconded by Councillor Michelle Barnes.

1. This Council notes:

a)    Trade unions have played a pivotal role in British history to improve the material conditions and dignity of working class people. This includes the foundation of the Labour Party to serve working people in Parliament.

b)    Living standards and rights won by trade unions help define the UK today. From maternity pay and sick pay, to the weekend and job security were fought for and won by trade unions not simply gifted by a benevolent government.

c)    Wages have stagnated for most and fallen for many since 2010. Now a higher tax burden on average earners coupled with low economic growth and high inflation is creating the biggest cost of living crisis for decades.

d)    The Health Foundation think tank estimates that nurses are paid £1,583 less than in 2011.

e)    In contrast to wages, profits of the largest companies operating in the UK were up 34% at the end of 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels.

f)     In Salford, we have endured central government funding cuts of 53% since 2010. Which equates to £232m of cuts and unfunded budget pressures.

g)    The LGA estimates councils will face a funding gap of £8 billion by 2025.

h)    Faced with these cuts from the central government, the local government workforce has endured years of pay restraint with the majority of pay points losing 22 percent of their value since 2009/10.

2. This Council Believes

a)    The recent wave of industrial action by trade unions across both the private and public sector is the democratic decision of trade union members in response to declining living standards, weakening of job security and reducing conditions of employment.

b)    Anti-trade union legislation in the country means that achieving a successful national strike ballot across various employers is extraordinarily difficult but the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) and Communication Workers Union (CWU) have recently overcome these obstacles and delivered resounding results for strike action.

c)    Recent polling, following the performances by Mick Lynch on the media, is showing an increasing positive attitude towards the current industrial disputes.

d)    The Conservative government’s undermining of public sector pay also undermines pay in the private sector by pitting worker against worker.

e)    Rather than dealing with the root cause of industrial action the Conservative Government are seeking to implement even further anti-trade union legislation such as the use of agency workers during strikes and attacks on the devolved Welsh Labour Government’s own Trade Union Act.

3. This Council resolves:

a)    Write to Mick Lynch to congratulate him in his sterling work on promoting trade unionism to the nation.

b)    Exemplify that the City of Salford supports trade unionism by actively supporting trade union access in local government and council commissioned services.

c)    Support the pay claim submitted by UNISON, GMB and Unite on behalf of council and school workers, for an increase of £2,000 or  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Please note in relation to items 13, 14, 15 and 16 below, it is requested that, wherever possible, any questions are submitted in writing and e-mailed to the Democratic Services Section at decisionmakingandscrutiny@salford.gov.uk

by no later than 48 hours before the meeting (i.e. by 9.30 am on Monday, 18 July 2022).

·         Cllr Tracy Kelly - Statutory Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing, Property and Regeneration 

·         Cllr John Merry - Deputy City Mayor, Lead Member for

Adult Social care

·         Cllr Sharmina August - Inclusive Economy, Anti-Poverty, and Equalities

·         Cllr Jim Cammell - Lead Member for Children’s and Young Peoples Services

·         Cllr Barbara Bentham - Lead Member for Environment, 

Neighbourhoods and Community Safety

·         Cllr Bill Hinds - Lead Member for Finance and Support Services

·         Cllr Mike McCusker - Lead Member for Planning

and Sustainable Development

·         Cllr John Mullen - Overview and Scrutiny Board

·         Cllr Adrian Brocklehurst - Children’s Scrutiny Panel

·         Cllr Stuart Dickman - Community and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Panel

·         Cllr Margaret Morris - Health and Social Care Scrutiny Panel

·         Cllr Robert Sharpe - Growth and Prosperity Scrutiny Panel

The following reports are submitted for information with the intention they be noted. Members who have any questions, or require further information on the contents of these reports, are in the first instance advised to contact the representatives respectively indicated:

·         Stadium Joint Venture Company (Cllrs Hinds and Lancaster)

·         Working Class Movement Library (WCML) (Cllr Linden)