Ed Miliband supports GMB call for £8.55 living wage in London

Posted by Now London on Jan 25, 2013 in Economy | 0 comments

GMB, the union for public sector workers, today launched a campaign to win a living wage of £7.45ph (£8.55ph in London) for 280,000 low paid workers in councils across England and Wales. In this GMB has secured the support of Ed Miliband Labour leader and members of the Labour front bench for higher pay for low paid council staff.

Council pay rates start at £6.30ph, just 11p above the national minimum wage. As a result hundreds of thousands of council workers are forced to claim tax credits, free school meals, housing benefit and council tax benefit to make ends meet.

Trade Union Side of the NJC has already a claim for a pay increase for our members in 2013/14 as follows: “A substantial flat rate increase on all scale points as a step towards the longer term objective of restoring pay levels and achieving the living wage as the bottom NJC spinal column point”.

In front line occupations such as care workers, school dinner ladies, meals on wheels staff, refuse workers, cleaners and caretakers there are 280,000 local authority staff paid below a living wage of £7.45ph (£8.55ph in London). Typical council jobs which pay £6.30/£6.38ph are home helps, school dinner staff, teaching assistants, cleaners, grave diggers, admin assistants, sure-start workers, refuse staff, caretakers, meals on wheels staff, care workers and school crossing patrols.

GMB will be raising petitions among council workers, meeting with chief executives and asking councillors to support resolutions to implement a living wage. 27 councils in England and Wales have already introduced or are committed to a living wage. These are Ashfield, Blackpool, Birmingham, Brent, Brighton & Hove, Camden, Cardiff, Carlisle, Croydon, Dartford, Derby City, Ealing, Enfield, Hackney, Hounslow, Hyndburn, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newcastle, Norwich, Oxford City, Preston, Sheffield, Southwark, Swansea and York. Most councils in Scotland have already introduced or are committed to a living wage.

Brian Strutton said “After years of pay freezes local government is now the lowest paid of any major sector of the economy and for 280,000 front line public servants to be paid less than a living wage is a disgrace.

It is also nonsensical that their pay has to be topped up through the benefit system when they could have the dignity of being paid fairly without having to rely on benefit at very little net additional cost to the public purse. Most, but not all, low paid council staff are women carers, cleaners and school dinner ladies whose roles have been undervalued for decades. A number of Councils are already committed to the Living Wage. It is now high time that every Council did the decent thing and paid the Living Wage and I hope our GMB campaign will encourage them to do it.”

Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Labour Party, said: "In the last election we gave a commitment to ask Whitehall departments to follow the lead of those already paying the living wage, and today Labour councils across the country are leading the way in committing to pay a living wage to their staff and subcontracted workers.

The Living Wage goes to the heart of our vision for One Nation. It’s about building an economy where everyone has a stake, not where millions of people feel they never have a chance for a decent life however hard they work. I hope more local authorities and other employers will look at how the Living Wage can help them achieve their aim to build stronger communities and better public services."

Rachael Reeves, MP for Leeds West and Shadow Secretary to the Treasury, said "A living wage can provide dignity at work while reducing families’ reliance on public spending or private debt. Employers have found that, combined with a commitment to engage and develop their staff, it can make good business sense too.

And for local authorities it can also help to regenerate local neighbourhoods and stimulate local economies. I am proud that, despite tough budgetary conditions, Labour councils, working with trade unions, are finding a way of making this commitment to the staff who play such a vital role in keeping local services running, and hope we will see more councils moving in this direction.”

London Underground on hunt for musical talent

Posted by Now London on Jan 22, 2013 in Music, Underground | 0 comments

London Underground is calling on talented performers to take centre stage at Tube stations.  Musicians wishing to apply for auditions to become a licensed busker must contact London Underground by 1 February by emailing busking@tube.tfl.gov.uk.

Much sought after busking licenses will be up for grabs which will allow musicians to play to the four million people that use the Tube a day.

The auditions are due to take place in spring. A panel of judges, made up of music industry professionals, people from the capital’s music scene and London Underground will be scouting for gifted musicians from all musical backgrounds.

Pop, classical, folk, world music and other quality performers are all welcome to apply. Entrants will be marked on their presentation, musical ability, repertoire and originality.

Since its launch in 2003 the busking scheme has been very popular with customers, and has showcased some of the best live music in London.  The scheme currently includes 37 busking pitches, which are like mini-stages for musicians, in 25 different stations. There are currently around 200 active licensed buskers on the scheme.

Gareth Powell, Director of Strategy and Service Development for London Underground, said: “We are keen to hear from talented musicians who would like to be part of our successful licensed busking scheme. Buskers at stations really help to brighten our customers’ journeys.

“With around four million people using the Underground a day busking is a fantastic way of reaching a very large and diverse audience.”

Applicants need to be over 16 years of age to be considered for auditions. The license fee is free.  Their name will then be put on a waiting list and an application form sent to them. Over 150 licenses will be available to successful applicants following the auditions.

The last auditions took place in 2010 so this is a rare opportunity to obtain a license on a very successful scheme.

Unregistered gas fitter fined for dangerous defects

Posted by Now London on Jan 22, 2013 in Health & Safety | 0 comments

An unregistered gas fitter from Morden has been fined for endangering a Tooting family after he illegally and unsafely fitted a new boiler at their home.

Mr Mussrat Ahamed was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as a result of installing unsafe gas fittings in a family’s rented property on Graveney Road, Tooting, in December 2011.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told on Friday (11 January) that Mr Ahamed removed the family’s boiler and installed a new one, leaving 13 defects, including one identified as an ‘immediate danger’ to life or property if an appliance had been left connected or operated.

The court heard that HSE was made aware that Mr Ahamed was operating without being ‘Gas Safe’ registered and did not have the expertise to carry out gas work.

Inspectors served a Prohibition Notice on Mr Ahmed preventing him from carrying out further work until he was recognised as competent and registered with the Gas Safe Register.

Mr Ahamed, of St Helier Avenue, Morden, was fined a total of £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs after pleading guilty to two breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Saif Deen said:

"Unregistered installers who carry out gas work expose people to unacceptable risks that can prove fatal.

"This family’s boiler had serious defects because Mr Ahamed lacked the appropriate skills to perform this work safely. He knew he wasn’t Gas Safe registered, and although he understood the legal requirement to be registered he was under the impression that the work he undertook didn’t constitute gas work because he didn’t tamper with the supply.

"This is a worrying misconception amongst some plumbers and trades people – although the Gas Safety Regulations make it clear that only authorised engineers should carry out any work involving gas fittings or servicing.

"Gas Safe Registration is in place to ensure that only those who achieve and can demonstrate competence are allowed to work on gas systems."

Underground agency staff to be balloted for strike action over termination of contract

Posted by Now London on Jan 15, 2013 in RMT, Unions | 0 comments

Tube Union RMT said today that it is to ballot all staff working on London Underground’s “Trainpeople” agency contract for strike action over the termination of a deal which they say will dump dozens of staff on the dole and which make a mockery of regulations which were supposed to protect the employment rights of agency staff.

Today, RMT London Underground “Trainpeople” staff – who face the prospect of dismissal this week – are taking their demo right to the heart of the company that treated them so appallingly this Tuesday.

The sacked workers and their supporters will be at St James Park station this morning (Tuesday 15th January 2013) at 8am where they will set up a soup kitchen to highlight their plight and build public and political support for their fight for jobs and justice.

London Underground inherited a contract with the Trainpeople agency from Silverlink in 2007. In breach of agreements with unions, for five years LU continued to use agency staff in LU uniform while Trainpeople paid them as little as £6.75 per hour. Trainpeople staff joined RMT and organised for equal rights with permanent staff as supposedly stipulated in the 2010 Agency Worker Regulations. Then, without warning, LU terminated its contract with the Trainpeople Agency leaving staff facing the immediate prospect of losing their livelihoods.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“The way that “Trainpeople” have used and abused a group of workers who have been “temporary” for five years is a disgrace and RMT will not sit back while this exploitation is allowed to fester on London Underground.

“This dispute also makes a mockery of regulations that are supposed to protect agency staff but which cynical employers can duck and weave their way around with the connivance of both the EU and the British Government.

“RMT wants permanent and direct employment for these low paid workers and we are setting out on a major campaign to achieve just that.”

12 Fire Stations, 18 Fire Engines and 400 Fire-Fighters to be cut in London

Posted by Now London on Jan 11, 2013 in Fire Service | 0 comments

Today it was announced that Boris Johnson will close 12 fire stations across London. The list of closures was revealed by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA). The stations are spread across London and include Belsize in Camden, Bow in Tower Hamlets and Westminster.

The London Fire Brigade’s budget has been cut by the Mayor and government by £45 million over the next two years. Even after the 12 stations, 18 fire appliances and 400 fire-fighters have been cut the Mayor and LFEPA will still have to find over £5 million of cuts. On average it costs £1.4 million to run a one fire engine station.

The fire stations listed for closure are:

• Belsize in Camden
• Bow in Tower Hamlets
• Clapham in Lambeth
• Clerkenwell in Islington
• Downham in Lewisham
• Kingsland in Hackney
• Knightsbridge in Kensington & Chelsea
• New Cross in Lewisham
• Silvertown in Newham
• Southwark
• Westminster
• Woolwich in Greenwich

In addition the following stations will lose one of their two fire engines: Chelsea, Chingford, Hayes, Leyton, Leytonstone, Peckham and Whitechapel.

Labour London Assembly Fire spokesperson Navin Shah AM said:

“London’s fire brigade is facing a crisis, today we found out we will lose 12 fire stations, 18 fire engines and 400 fire-fighters. This will reduce fire cover in London, these cuts will put the safety and security of Londoners at risk.

“How can cutting 12 of our fire stations, 18 fire engines and 400 fire-fighters be in the best interest of Londoners? The London Fire Brigade and their dedicated staff do a fantastic job keeping us safe and helping us when we need it most. The government are cutting too far and too fast, hitting the frontline and fundamentally undermining the ability of the fire brigade to do their job. It’s time that the Mayor stood up for Londoners and got a better deal from central government.

“We understand that savings have to be made, but the level of cuts forced on the London Fire Brigade by the Mayor and government are truly reckless. Boris’s cuts are hitting front-line services and putting public safety at risk.”

Londoners cut off from police by station closures

Posted by Now London on Jan 11, 2013 in Police | 0 comments

The full impact of Boris Johnson’s police station closures is made clear in a new map produced by Labour’s London Assembly Police & Crime Spokesperson, Joanne McCartney AM. The map clearly shows that multiple areas of London will be left with no 24hr police station or front counter to report serious crimes to.

This follows analysis published Wednesday showing that in two thirds of London’s boroughs there will be fewer police officers under Boris Johnson’s proposals than there were in 2010.

The areas of London hit hardest which will lose front counters and police stations include Croydon losing five of it’s six; Barking & Dagenham losing three of its four; and Havering losing four of it’s five.

The Mayor’s position on police stations and front counters has changed several times:

• In July 2011 the Mayor promised if one station closed an alternative offering the same or an enhanced service would be opened nearby.
• Then in May 2012 he broke the previous commitment and only guaranteed at least one 24hour station in each borough.
• Then on 17th Oct 2012 he stated “I can confirm that no front counter will close unless an equivalent or better facility for public access has been identified.”
• And at Mayor’s Question Time on 21st November 2012 he confirmed that any replacement front counter would also have the same number of hours as the one closed.

Labour London Assembly Police & Crime Spokesperson Joanne McCartney AM said:

"Significant areas of London are going to be left with little or no 24hour police station cover. If people want to report serious crimes, like rape, in person they will be forced to travel even further – making it harder to report crime. The Police are a service and should deliver a certain level to Londoners.

“Boris Johnson has repeatedly broken his promises on police stations and front counters, how can we believe that he will keep his word this time? Closing nearly half of London’s police stations is further evidence that the Mayor and government are cutting too far, too fast and are hitting the front line.

“This week we uncovered that 22 of London’s 32 boroughs will be left with fewer police officers under Boris’s plans than they had in 2010. Combined with the closure of 65 police stations and front counters and the loss of nearly half of London’s PCSOs, this will lead to a smaller police presence on our streets.

“We doubt the Mayor can keep his election promises, as HMIC reported last year police visibility is down and this trend will continue. Boris Johnson has failed to get a good deal for London from government and now Londoners are paying the price.”

Mayor’s plan confirms fewer local police in London

Posted by Now London on Jan 10, 2013 in Police | 0 comments

Yesterday (9th Jan 2013) the Mayor of London published his draft Police and Crime Plan for London. In it the Mayor claims that he will increase the number of police officers based in each borough (p10-11 of attached report). However, new analysis carried out by Labour’s London Assembly Police & Crime Spokesperson, Joanne McCartney shows that in two thirds of London’s boroughs there will be fewer police officers than in 2010.

The new analysis shows that compared to 2010 many boroughs will lose significant numbers of police officers, including:

• Camden losing 111 police officers
• Lambeth losing 157 police officers
• Southwark losing 132 police officers
• Westminster losing 202 police officers

The Mayor’s Draft Policing Plan also details how the current locally based Safer Neighbourhood Teams will have less dedicated resources. Each SNT currently has three PCSOs, two PCs and one sergeant. The new model will see each SNT having only one dedicated PC and a “named sergeant”. This is a move back to Sector-based policing, a model that was abandoned in the late 1990s as it was deemed to be ineffective and led to the police having poor relations on a local level.

Labour London Assembly Police & Crime Spokesperson Joanne McCartney AM said:

"This plan confirms our worst fears. We already know that London has lost over 2,000 police officers in the last two years, but this plan confirms that the majority of London’s boroughs will have fewer police officers than in 2010. Combined with the closure of 65 police front counters and the loss of nearly half of London’s PCSOs, this will lead to a smaller police presence on our streets. The government and mayor are cutting too far and too fast, they are hitting the frontline.

“To make matters worse this proposed plan details how the Mayor will strip out our local Safer Neighbourhood Teams which are vital in fighting crime in London. SNTs build local knowledge and get to know their patch, the proposals today look very much like a return to the old model of sector policing which does not have this strong local link. The Mayor’s plans will also see a loss of many experienced senior officers, which raises obvious concerns about the supervision of police constables.

“We doubt the mayor can keep his election promises, as HMIC reported last week police visibility is down and this trend will continue. Contrary to what they say, this is further evidence that the Mayor and Government are cutting too far too fast."