Mayor Jamie Driscoll is supporting the TUC’s national #HeartUnions week.
#HeartUnions is a week of activity throughout England and Wales that highlights the good work that unions do every day to offer everyone a voice at work. This year, the campaigning theme is for a new law to demand employers take all reasonable steps to protect workers from sexual harassment and victimisation.
On Monday, Mayor Driscoll convened the signing of the Trade Union recognition agreement between the combined authority and UNISON and UNITE at the NTCA office in North Tyneside.
Mayor Driscoll said: “It’s just common sense that workers who feel secure do a better job Trade union recognition is about having that framework in place so that people know what’s expected of them, how they are going to get the best out of their job at work, and how they are going to be supported. Everybody knows that unionised workplaces are more productive, they have lower staff turnover, they have lower rates of sickness, and they are more innovative. It’s common sense for us to be doing this.”
Ltr Mayor Jamie Driscoll, Unison branch chair Jennifer Black, North of Tyne director of policy and performance Ruth Redfern, and Regional officer for Unite the Union Dave Telford
Regional officer for Unite the Union Dave Telford said: “This signing is very important for our members; it ensures decent working practices and decent pay, to allow a decent standard of living.”
Unison branch chair Jennifer Black said: “This gives all the North of Tyne Combined Authority employees the security of knowing they can be part of a trade union, and that union will be recognised. It means they will gain the help support and representation they need, in times of difficulty.”
It’s always good to join a union that’s already active where you work – ask your colleagues, or look for information on a union noticeboard or on staff web pages. Some jobs have unions that look after them specifically. Other jobs don’t – but they are looked after just as well by general unions, who have specialist sections. If you’re confused about which union to join, the TUC online union finder will help you find the right one. Use the TUC online unionfinder tool now: https://www.tuc.org.uk/join-union